Vodmill docs
 v1.0.0
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● Start · The short way

Quick start
from the ZIP to your first clip.

The whole path on one page, for a fresh Ubuntu server. Each step links to the page that explains it. If you have never run a server before, read Installation instead: it has the same steps with every detail.

Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04About 30 minutes

01Before you start

  • A VPS with root or sudo access over SSH (Requirements). Shared hosting does not work.
  • A domain or subdomain that points at the server, for example clips.your-agency.com.
  • The Vodmill ZIP from your downloads page, unpacked on the server in /opt/vodmill.

021. Install and start

# Node.js 22 and ffmpeg (ffprobe comes with it)
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs ffmpeg python3 make g++

# Vodmill
cd /opt/vodmill
npm install
cp .env.example .env
openssl rand -hex 32          # copy the result into .env as ADMIN_SECRET_KEY
nano .env                     # set PUBLIC_URL, ADMIN_SECRET_KEY, TRUST_PROXY_HOPS=1
npm run build
npm start

The log prints the address and a one-time setup code for the console. Check that the server answers:

curl http://127.0.0.1:8787/healthz

It answers {"ok":true,"version":"1.0.0"}. Then put https in front and run it as a service (https, service).

032. Create the console owner

Open https://your-domain/admin, enter the setup code from the log, your e-mail and a password (First steps).

043. Set up transcription

A source cannot be analysed until the server can transcribe it. Pick one in the console under Setup, Transcription (AI and transcription):

  • ElevenLabs Scribe: paste the ElevenLabs key under Integrations.
  • Whisper over HTTP (Groq, OpenAI or compatible): paste the Whisper key under Integrations.
  • whisper.cpp on this server: no key, you install the program and a model.

Optional: paste an Anthropic key under Integrations so Claude picks the moments. Without it the built-in picker is used.

054. Create your first app account

cd /opt/vodmill
node --env-file=.env dist/src/server/create-user.js you@agency.com "Your name" --staff --credits 500

It prints a one-time password. Sign in at https://your-domain/app (First steps).

065. Make your first clip

  1. New source In the library choose "New source" and upload a video you own or have permission to clip (MP4, MOV, MKV or WebM, with sound).
  2. Find the clips Start the analysis. You see the price in credits before anything is charged.
  3. Approve On the clip board approve the suggestions you like (A) and reject the rest (X).
  4. Edit Open a clip in the editor to trim it through its transcript, pick a caption preset and a layout.
  5. Render Render it, then download the MP4 or make a share link on the Exports page.

The full tour is in Using the studio.

076. Before you invite customers