Get Started with Origami AI: From Zero to First Video

This guide shows you the fastest path from zero to your first project in Origami AI. You can start immediately using the hosted app — no sign-up, no installation — or run the full studio locally on your own machine with a few terminal commands. Either way, you’ll be creating AI-narrated videos, short-form content, and more within minutes.

Steps to Get Started

Open the hosted app

The quickest way to start is the live hosted version — no account or installation required:👉 https://origami.techmitten.com/Open that URL in Chrome or Edge 113+ and you’re ready to go. Skip ahead to step 3.

(Optional) Self-host locally

Prefer to run Origami AI on your own machine? Make sure you have Node.js ≥ 20.19.0 and a WebGPU-capable browser installed, then run:

git clone https://github.com/TechMitten/Origami-AI.git
cd Origami-AI
npm install
npm run dev

Open http://localhost:3006 in your browser once the server starts.

Wait for the first-run model download

On your first visit, Origami AI automatically downloads the AI models it needs (the default text model and the Kokoro.js TTS engine). This may take a few minutes depending on your connection speed.Once downloaded, the models are cached in your browser’s storage — subsequent launches are instant, even offline. You can monitor download progress in the status bar at the bottom of the app.

Choose a tool and build something

Use the navigation sidebar to pick your first project type:

PDF to Video — upload a PDF deck and generate a narrated video
Shorts Generator — type a topic and produce a vertical short
Screen Recording — capture your screen with auto-zoom
AI Assistant — chat with a local AI model in your browser

Available Scripts

If you’re running Origami AI locally, these npm commands cover your full development and deployment workflow:

Command	Description
`npm run dev`	Starts the Express + Vite dev server with hot module replacement at `http://localhost:3006`
`npm run build`	Builds the production client bundle into the `dist/` directory
`npm run preview`	Serves the production build locally so you can test before deploying
`npm run lint`	Runs ESLint across the codebase to catch style and type issues
`npm run stop`	Terminates any active process running on port 3006

Run with Docker

If you’d rather use Docker for a self-contained environment with better resource isolation — especially useful for heavy video rendering — a single command gets you running:

docker compose up --build

The app will be available at http://localhost:3000 once the container starts.

For the best WebGPU experience and full access to every Origami AI feature, use Chrome or Edge 113+. These browsers have the most complete and stable WebGPU implementation. Firefox Nightly (with the dom.webgpu.enabled flag) and Safari 18+ on macOS Sonoma are also supported but may have minor limitations with certain GPU-accelerated effects.

⌘I

Get Started

Core Features

Configuration

Guides

Troubleshooting

Get Started with Origami AI: From Zero to First Video

Steps to Get Started

Available Scripts

Run with Docker

​Steps to Get Started

​Available Scripts

​Run with Docker

Steps to Get Started

Available Scripts

Run with Docker