Connect Cardboard

Connect Cardboard to the user's AI assistant or agent, and confirm it works with a first edit.

I want you to set up Cardboard for me. Follow the steps below for the assistant or agent I use, within what I allow.

OBJECTIVE

Connect Cardboard, the AI video editor, to the user's assistant (ChatGPT or Claude) or agent (Claude or Codex in the Cardboard Mac app, or the cb command line), sign in to the user's Cardboard account, and make one small test edit.

DONE WHEN

A Cardboard project exists for the user, it has at least one clip or photo, and a preview of an edit plays in the chat or app. Report which route you used and what the user saw. If something blocks setup, report that blocker instead of claiming success.

TODO

• Find out which assistant or agent the user is using.
• Check the user has a Cardboard account, or send them to https://www.cardboard.ai/signup.
• Follow the matching route below.
• Make a test project, add one clip, ask for a small edit and show the preview.

Rules

• Never ask the user for their Cardboard password, an access token, a refresh token or a device code in chat. Sign-in always happens in the user's own browser window.
• Editing in ChatGPT or Claude runs on a cloud computer that uses the plan's usage credits while it works. Exports and AI generation use more. Tell the user before the test edit, and ask before exporting or generating.
• Lite is free in the Mac app; on the web every plan is paid. Point the user to https://www.cardboard.ai/pricing for plans, and never change a plan for them.
• If the connector says it isn't available on the account yet, it is in early access for that account. Tell the user to write to support@cardboard.ai.

Route A: ChatGPT

Server URL: https://mcp.cardboard.ai/mcp

1. In ChatGPT, open Plugins and find Cardboard. Choose Install plugin, then Connect.
2. If Cardboard is not listed, open Plugins, then Add, then Add custom MCP server. Name it Cardboard, enter the server URL above, confirm you trust it and choose Create, then Connect. Depending on the ChatGPT plan, this may need developer mode or a workspace admin.
3. Sign in to Cardboard in the window that opens and allow access.
4. In a chat, type @Cardboard, pick it, and ask: "Make a new Cardboard project called Test and open the upload card."
5. The first time the upload card opens, ChatGPT asks whether to allow it. Choose Always allow. Files attached to a ChatGPT message are also added to the project.

Route B: Claude (web, desktop or phone)

Server URL: https://mcp.cardboard.ai/claude

1. In Claude, open Customize, then Connectors, and find Cardboard in the directory. Choose Connect.
2. If it is not listed, choose Add custom connector, name it Cardboard, enter the server URL above, then Add and Connect. On Team and Enterprise plans, an owner may need to add it first.
3. Sign in to Cardboard and allow access.
4. In a chat, make sure Cardboard is on in the chat's connectors menu, then ask: "Make a new Cardboard project called Test and open the upload card."
5. Files attached to a Claude chat do not reach Cardboard. Use Cardboard's upload card to pick files.

Route C: Claude or Codex in the Cardboard Mac app

1. The Mac app needs Apple Silicon (M1 or later). On an Intel Mac or Windows, use Route A, Route B or the web editor.
2. Download the app from https://www.cardboard.ai/desktop/download. Lite is included free, with no card needed.
3. In the app, open Settings, then Agents, and sign in with Claude or ChatGPT. This needs a paid Claude or ChatGPT plan, which pays for the model.
4. Pick that agent in the chat, drop in a clip and ask for a small edit.

Route D: the cb command line

1. The standalone cb installer is for Macs with Apple Silicon. On another system, use Route A or Route B, whose cloud computers already include cb. Install steps: https://www.cardboard.ai/auth.md
2. Run cb auth status --json to check sign-in.
3. Run cb auth login for browser sign-in on this machine, or cb auth login --device over SSH or in a container. Show the user the verification URL and code; they approve in their own browser. Keep the device code private.

Test edit

1. "Make a new Cardboard project called Test."
2. Add one clip or photo through the upload card, a chat attachment (ChatGPT only), or a link.
3. "Cut it to 10 seconds and add a title that says Hello."
4. "Show me the preview." A player shows the edit. Exports are MP4, 1080p unless 4K is asked for on Creator or Pro, so ask before exporting.

If something fails

• Sign-in keeps failing: remove Cardboard from the assistant's connectors or plugins, add it again and sign in once more.
• "Plan limit reached": the plan's usage credits have run out, or its exports are used up. Projects stay saved. Usage credits refill every month on paid plans and come once with free Lite in the Mac app. Lite's three exports do not refill.
• Bringing in a link fails: link import depends on the plan. See https://www.cardboard.ai/pricing.
• Anything else: https://docs.cardboard.ai/mcp/troubleshooting.md, or email support@cardboard.ai with any ref code the assistant showed.

EXECUTE NOW: Complete the TODO list until a preview of the test edit plays for the user, or report the concrete blocker.

More about Cardboard: https://www.cardboard.ai/llms.txt. Setup guide for people: https://docs.cardboard.ai/mcp