An open-source, self-hosted AI video production workspace
Turn novels, finished screenplays, or product assets into character-consistent, controllable, cost-trackable short videos that remain editable.
## Sponsors
> [Want to appear here?](mailto:support@arc-reel.com)
MiniMax H3 Video Generation API | Metaso
Metaso offers cost-effective MiniMax H3 video generation: CNY 0.09/sec at 768P, CNY 0.15/sec at 2K. Native 2K, synchronized audio and video, an API compatible with the OpenAI protocol, and ComfyUI support — no GPU deployment required.
🎁 Sign up via ArcReel's exclusive link to claim bonus credits and an exclusive discount.
## What ArcReel is
ArcReel is an open-source, self-hosted workspace for AI drama and novel adaptation, narrated short videos, ads, and product shorts. It organizes content analysis, asset management, storyboards, media generation, cost tracking, and export into an inspectable and resumable production pipeline.
- **One production workflow**: turn novels, finished screenplays, or product assets into characters, scenes, props, storyboards, video clips, and final videos step by step.
- **Visual continuity with human control**: reuse reference assets across shots, review key stages, regenerate individual assets, and roll back to earlier versions.
- **Manageable models and costs**: configure text, image, video, and TTS capabilities in one place, then review estimated costs and actual usage.
- **Editable delivery**: render final videos directly or export Jianying drafts to refine subtitles, voice-over, pacing, and transitions. Exports target the mainland-China edition of Jianying; CapCut compatibility has not been verified.
## From source to final video
```mermaid
flowchart LR
A["Novel / Screenplay / Product Assets"] --> B["Content Analysis & Project Planning"]
B --> C["Character / Scene / Prop Assets"]
C --> D["Episode Plan & Structured Script"]
D --> E["Storyboard Image / Grid Storyboard"]
E --> F["Video Clips / Voice-over Tracks"]
F --> G["Final Composition"]
F --> H["Jianying Draft Export"]
```
Every stage can be orchestrated by the AI assistant, or reviewed, adjusted, and regenerated by the user in the workspace. See [Workflows and Modes](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/guide/workflows) for guidance on choosing a mode.
## Quick Start
Install Docker and Docker Compose, then run:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/ArcReel/ArcReel.git
cd ArcReel/deploy
cp .env.example .env
docker compose up -d
```
Open . The default username is `admin`. If `AUTH_PASSWORD` is empty, ArcReel generates a password on first startup and writes it back to `deploy/.env`.
> Default Compose publishes port `1241` on all host interfaces. Do not expose ArcReel directly to the public Internet; before enabling remote access, configure authentication and use HTTPS, a VPN, or a secure tunnel. See [Reverse Proxy and HTTPS](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/ops/deployment#reverse-proxy-and-https).
After signing in, open **Settings**, configure the ArcReel AI assistant and the required text, image, and video generation capabilities, then create a project.
For the complete first-run workflow, see [Getting Started](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/guide/getting-started). For production deployment, upgrades, backups, and reverse proxies, see [Deployment and Operations](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/ops/deployment).
## Documentation
| Page | Purpose |
|---|---|
| [Documentation Home](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/) | Entry points for users, operators, and developers |
| [Getting Started](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/guide/getting-started) | From first deployment to the first generated video |
| [Workflows and Modes](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/guide/workflows) | Novels, scripts, and creative ideas; three creation types and two generation modes |
| [Provider Configuration](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/guide/providers) | Selection and configuration of Agent, text, image, video, and TTS providers |
| [Jianying Draft Export](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/guide/jianying-export) | Continue editing ArcReel output in Jianying |
| [FAQ](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/guide/faq) | Deployment, cost, model, data, and licensing questions |
| [Deployment and Operations](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/ops/deployment) | SQLite, PostgreSQL, upgrades, backups, and reverse proxies |
| [Migrate from SQLite to PostgreSQL](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/ops/migrate-to-postgres) | Data migration, verification, and rollback |
| [Architecture](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/dev/architecture) | Agent Runtime, task queue, provider abstraction, and data layer |
| [Contributing](https://docs.arc-reel.com/en/dev/contributing) | Local development, tests, conventions, and pull requests |
## Community
Scan the QR code to join the ArcReel Feishu community for help, release updates, and workflow discussions:
