HOW TO — 1 / 6
There are two ways to start. Newcomers can use the desktop app; existing Claude Code or opencode users can use one command. Both use the same save data, so you can add the other option later. The app UI is currently Japanese; this guide gives the English meaning of each label.
1 — Choose how to start
| Entry point | Best for | How to install |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop app macOS / Windows |
Newcomers who want to try a graphical interface first | Get the version for your OS from the download page (.dmg for Mac, .exe for Windows) |
| Terminal (CLI) macOS / Windows / Linux |
Existing Claude Code / opencode / Codex users | See §3 on this page: one command installs the full setup |
Both installation methods use the same project save data (.akari/). Start with the app and add the CLI later, or the other way around; you can pick up where you left off.
2 — What you need
AKARI Video needs three things to run, but the installer provides two automatically. You only need to choose an AI agent—the editing brain.
| What you need | What you do |
|---|---|
| Node.js v20+ Runtime for the application | No action needed — If missing, a portable version is placed in ~/.akari/ automatically |
| ffmpeg Video cutting, assembly, and export | No action needed — The bundled build is fetched automatically with sha256 verification. An existing installation takes priority |
| AI agent Editing brain | Choose one in §4 below(Free opencode is recommended. If you already use Claude Code or another agent, keep using it) |
Supported operating systems: macOS, Windows, and Linux (including WSL2). You do not need to install git either.
3 — Install from the terminal
Open a terminal (PowerShell on Windows), paste the command for your OS, and run it. App users can skip this section and go to the download page.
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AkariLabs/akari-video/main/install.sh | bashirm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AkariLabs/akari-video/main/install.ps1 | iexcurl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AkariLabs/akari-video/main/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmdThe installer does the following:
~/.akari/app (a tested release, rather than a development branch)Use the same command to update. Run it again to install the latest release. Your videos and projects will not be deleted: the application and your data live in separate places (→ File map).
4 — Choose an AI agent
AKARI Video does not include its own editing brain. An external AI agent provides that, and the workflow works the same whichever one you use.
| Agent | Pricing | Best for | How to install |
|---|---|---|---|
| opencode(recommended) | Free models included | Newcomers who want to try it for free | curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/install | bash |
| Claude Code | Paid (Claude subscription) | Existing Claude users, or those seeking higher editing quality | See the official documentation |
| Cursor Agent | Cursor pricing | People who prefer chat in their IDE | Open the project in Cursor (skills are discovered automatically) |
If the installer cannot find an agent, it offers to install opencode. You do not need to install it beforehand.
5 — Try launching it
Run the following in the folder where you want to make your video (any location is fine):
# Using opencode
akari.sh --opencode
# Using Claude Code
akari.shThe installer sets up PATH, so you can run akari.sh from anywhere. If you see command not found, reopen your terminal.
On launch, akari checks whether the current folder is a project. If setup is needed, it creates a project scaffold with instructions in Japanese, then launches the AI agent. Continue by chatting in the session.
Checks whether the current folder is a project by looking for .akari/.
Creates a project scaffold, with explanations in Japanese, if it has not been set up.
From here, continue by chatting in Japanese, for example with a prompt meaning “I want to create a new video project.”
Lightweight option (CLI only) — You can also install with npm i -g akari-video. Agent workflows are included, but the browser preview is not. Use the one-line installer above for the full setup.
Get the app from the download page (Apple Silicon for Mac, 64-bit for Windows). The app is a place to open, review, and fix edits made by AI. Terminal users can also use it alongside their agent for review and touch-ups.