Start by cloning the OpenMontage repository from GitHub. This gives you the full framework including all 12 pipeline YAML files, 52 tools, and the Agent Guide. For more AI tool guides, visit ToolverseHub.

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/calesthio/OpenMontage.git
cd OpenMontage

# Install Python dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt

# Install Node.js packages (for Remotion renderer)
npm install

Now install FFmpeg — this is the core video processing engine OpenMontage uses for rendering, audio mixing, and frame analysis.

# Ubuntu / Debian
sudo apt update && sudo apt install ffmpeg -y

# macOS (Homebrew)
brew install ffmpeg

# Windows (Chocolatey)
choco install ffmpeg

# Verify installation
ffmpeg -version

OpenMontage works with zero API keys on the free path. But if you want premium AI visuals, copy the example environment file and add your keys. Find more setup guides at ToolverseHub.

# Copy the example file
cp .env.example .env

# Open it and configure
nano .env

# ── FREE PATH (no keys needed) ──────────────────
# Leave these blank to use Piper TTS + Archive.org

# ── OPTIONAL: Paid providers ──────────────────
FAL_API_KEY=your_fal_ai_key_here       # FLUX, Kling, Veo, MiniMax
ELEVENLABS_API_KEY=your_key_here       # Premium voiceover

# ── Budget caps ────────────────────────────────
MAX_SPEND_USD=2.00                      # Hard limit per video
APPROVAL_THRESHOLD_USD=0.50             # Ask before spending over $0.50

Open the OpenMontage folder inside your AI coding assistant. The agent reads the framework files automatically and becomes your video production director.

# Open with Claude Code
claude .

# Open with Cursor
cursor .

# Open with VS Code + Copilot
code .

Once your AI assistant is open, simply type your first video request in natural language:

"Make a 2-minute explainer video about how black holes form.
Use the free path (no paid APIs). Keep it engaging and educational."

The agent will now execute the full pipeline automatically:

• 1
  Pipeline SelectionAgent reads YAML manifests and selects the Explainer Video pipeline
• 2
  Live Research (15–25 searches)Searches YouTube, Reddit, NASA, academic sources for accurate content
• 3
  Script WritingGenerates a timed, grounded script from the research brief
• 4
  Asset SourcingPulls real footage from Archive.org / NASA; generates visuals with Piper TTS narration
• 5
  Render & Quality CheckFFmpeg renders the final video; post-render gate checks audio, frames, and delivery

OpenMontage has 12 specialized pipelines. The agent auto-selects one based on your prompt, but you can also specify directly:

"Use the Documentary Montage pipeline to make a video
about the history of the internet. Free path only."

The quality of your video depends heavily on your prompt. Here are real examples from basic to advanced:

OpenMontage can source real motion footage from public domain libraries — making your videos look authentic without paying for stock footage.

✓ Archive.org     — historical footage, documentaries, old films
✓ NASA            — space, science, Earth observation footage
✓ Wikimedia Commons — educational, science, nature
✓ Pexels          — modern lifestyle, nature, urban (free license)
✓ Pixabay         — stock footage across all categories

To explicitly request real footage in your prompt:

"Documentary Montage pipeline. Topic: Moon landing history.
Use real archival NASA footage where available.
2 minutes, narrated, serious tone."

For premium AI-generated visuals, connect a fal.ai API key. This unlocks the full suite of video generation models. Read the full provider comparison at ToolverseHub:

# Add your fal.ai key to unlock all providers
FAL_API_KEY=fal_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

# Set a budget cap to stay in control
MAX_SPEND_USD=1.50

OpenMontage never spends money without telling you first. The budget governance system works in three layers:

• 1
  Pre-flight Cost EstimateBefore executing, the agent shows a full breakdown: estimated tokens, API calls, and total USD cost
• 2
  Approval ThresholdIf a single action exceeds APPROVAL_THRESHOLD_USD, the agent pauses and asks for your explicit go-ahead
• 3
  Hard Spend CapMAX_SPEND_USD is a hard ceiling — the agent will never exceed it under any circumstances

After every render, OpenMontage runs a mandatory self-review before handing you the final file:

✓ Duration check     — 2m 04s (target: 2m) [PASS]
✓ Audio levels       — avg -14 LUFS [PASS]
✓ Black frame scan   — 0 black frames detected [PASS]
✓ Overlay integrity  — all text layers rendered [PASS]
✓ Delivery promise   — explainer pipeline requirements met [PASS]
→ Output: ./output/black_holes_explainer_v1.mp4

If any check fails, the agent will automatically attempt to fix the issue and re-render before presenting the final file to you.