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Connect Refs to your agent.

One MCP server for Claude, Claude Code, Codex and Cursor. Searching the archive is free, with no key or account. Blueprints, frame sheets, formulas and plans come with Pro.

Free to search, no key needed

terminal
claude mcp add --transport http refs https://refs.video/mcp

Ask your agent to search Refs and it works at once: up to 30 searches an hour without an account, more once you sign in.

Claude

Add Refs and search at once, with no key and no sign-in. When Claude first needs a Pro tool, such as a blueprint, it asks you to sign in to Refs. No key to copy.

  1. Claude apps

    Web, desktop and mobile. Search is free; the other tools are part of Pro.

    1. In Claude, open Customize → Connectors and choose Add custom connector.
    2. Name it Refs and paste the server URL.
      https://refs.video/mcp
    3. Search works straight away. When Claude needs a Pro tool, choose Connect, sign in to Refs and Allow. Refs' tools then work in every Claude app on your account.

    On Team and Enterprise, an Owner adds the connector under Organization settings → Connectors, then each member connects.

  2. Claude Code

    Search works as soon as it is added. The same sign-in unlocks the rest.

    terminal
    claude mcp add --transport http refs https://refs.video/mcp

    To sign in for the Pro tools, run /mcp, pick refs and choose Authenticate: the sign-in opens in your browser.

Codex, Cursor and others

They connect with a key, in three steps.

  1. 1. Create a key

    Search works without a key. Every other tool is part of Pro. A key is shown once, when you create it.

    Create a key on your account page, then store it as REFS_KEY in your shell or secrets manager.

    Create a keyKeys start with refs_

  2. 2. Connect your client

    Streamable HTTP, with the key as a bearer token in the Authorization header.

    Server URL

    https://refs.video/mcp
    ~/.codex/config.toml
    [mcp_servers.refs]
url = "https://refs.video/mcp"
bearer_token_env_var = "REFS_KEY"

  3. 3. Test it

    Searching costs 0 credits; they are spent only when your agent pulls a blueprint or plans the film.

    Ask your agent:

    prompt
    Search Refs for founder launch films under 60 seconds and plan one for my product.

What your agent can call

search_videos is free for anyone, with no key. Every other tool needs Pro. Finding films costs 0 credits; taking content out draws on the 3,000 a month Pro includes, reset on the 1st.

MCP tools and their cost in credits
ToolWhat it doesCredits
search_videosFind films by keyword, category, tool, or AI-made. Free, no key needed.Find films by keyword, category, tool, or AI-made. Free, no key needed.0
get_blueprintEvery plate, the cut list and the recipe for one film.Every plate, the cut list and the recipe for one film.5
get_framesOne film frame by frame: the hook at 0.25 s steps and every shot, as images.One film frame by frame: the hook at 0.25 s steps and every shot, as images.5
list_formulasFormats distilled across many films.Formats distilled across many films.0
get_formulaOne formula with its template prompt.One formula with its template prompt.5
list_collectionsYour collections and favourites, with ids.Your collections and favourites, with ids.0
get_collectionEvery film in a collection, yours or anyone's shared one, ready to use as references.Every film in a collection, yours or anyone's shared one, ready to use as references.0
list_brandsYour Brandprint imports (Saved → Brandprint), with their progress.Your Brandprint imports (Saved → Brandprint), with their progress.0
get_brandYour brand kit (house style as rules) and every film's blueprint. Private to you.Your brand kit (house style as rules) and every film's blueprint. Private to you.0
ugc_scanPaste a product link: Refs reads it and suggests competitors; once you confirm, it finds their winning UGC ads (Pro, 3 scans a month).Paste a product link: Refs reads it and suggests competitors; once you confirm, it finds their winning UGC ads (Pro, 3 scans a month).0
get_ugc_scanA scan's progress, then the board: competitors' winning UGC ads by signal, and what wins in your category. Private to you.A scan's progress, then the board: competitors' winning UGC ads by signal, and what wins in your category. Private to you.0
plan_videoYour brief and 1–5 references become a beat sheet, shot list and build prompt. Several references are mixed around one spine. Add a brand to plan in your house style.Your brief and 1–5 references become a beat sheet, shot list and build prompt. Several references are mixed around one spine. Add a brand to plan in your house style.10
storyboardBefore anything is built: 1–4 directions with style frames and numbered panels (timing, camera, VO, transitions), checked and laid out as a Claude Design canvas. Pick one, then build.Before anything is built: 1–4 directions with style frames and numbered panels (timing, camera, VO, transitions), checked and laid out as a Claude Design canvas. Pick one, then build.0
check_renderScore your render against the reference: cut timing, brightness, motion, loudness, format, with frame-exact fixes.Score your render against the reference: cut timing, brightness, motion, loudness, format, with frame-exact fixes.2

Starter kit

The render plumbing, already built. Remotion and HTML templates are timed from the blueprint's measured timeline. You also get motion blur, a correct encode, loudness mastering, an original music bed and a check against the reference.

Download starter.zip

Needs Node 20+ and ffmpeg. The music bed also needs Python 3 with numpy.

  1. 1Pull the timelineget_blueprint("REF-####", format: "json") → timeline.json
  2. 2Fill brand.jsonfont, bg, accents, logo, CTA url
  3. 3BuildRemotion or HTML: one timed placeholder per shot to replace
  4. 4Encode and masterscripts/master.sh · scripts/encode.sh
  5. 5Check and repeatnode scripts/measure.mjs out/video.mp4 → check_render