# Renda — setup instructions for agents

> Renda renders 3D files in the cloud: .blend, .usd/.usda/.usdc/.usdz, .gltf/.glb, three.js JSON, .fbx, .obj, .stl, .ply, .dae, .3mf, .abc, or a .renda.json package → png/jpg/webp/exr stills or mp4/webm/gif/mov video. It also renders HyperFrames HTML videos. Billed per render-second. You are reading this because the user asked you to set up Renda. Follow the steps in order, run the commands yourself, and report back.

## 1. Pick a path (both use the same account and credentials file)
- Node available (`node --version` ≥ 20): use `npx @rendahq/cli …` (alias after install: `renda`).
- Python/uv available (`uv --version`): use `uvx renda …` (adds local rendering with Blender/Mitsuba).
- Neither: install uv (`curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh`) or Node, then continue.
Every command prints JSON when not attached to a TTY: {"status": "ok"|"error", ..., "hint"?, "next"?: [...]}. Do what `next` says. Exit codes: 0 ok, 1 error, 2 usage, 3 needs auth, 4 needs payment.

## 2. Set up (one command)
    npx @rendahq/cli init --yes
This (a) starts a free anonymous trial if there's no account, (b) adds the renda MCP server to Claude Code / Cursor / Codex (whichever are installed; pick with --agent), (c) installs the Renda skills, (d) adds a short note to AGENTS.md. Restart the agent afterwards so it loads the MCP tools.
uv path: `uvx renda trial`, then `uvx renda mcp add`.

## 3. Account
- Trial (no signup): `renda trial` → ~5 free render-minutes, max 1920px, expires in 7 days unless claimed. It returns a `claimUrl`: GIVE THAT LINK TO THE USER — they open it and sign in to keep the workspace and get the full 30 free minutes. Never open it yourself.
- Real account by email (no browser for you): `renda signup <user's email>` → ask the user for the 6-digit code from their email (never guess it) → `renda verify <code>`.
- Browser sign-in for humans: `renda login` (shows a URL + code).
Credentials live in ~/.config/renda/credentials.json (or $RENDA_API_KEY).

## 4. Render
    renda render scene.blend --quality draft            # cheap preview first; downloads to ./renders
    renda estimate scene.blend --res 3840x2160 --quality final   # time + cost before big jobs
    renda render scene.blend --res 3840x2160 --quality final --max-minutes 10
    renda render model.glb --turntable --format mp4      # 360° video
    renda new model.glb                                  # starter .renda.json: camera, HDRI, lights, materials, frames, output
Identical re-renders are cached and free. Local paths are uploaded automatically (deduped by sha256).

## 5. MCP (if you'd rather use tools than the CLI)
- Local stdio: `claude mcp add renda -- npx -y @rendahq/mcp` (or `renda mcp add --agent cursor|codex|claude-code`).
- Remote (streamable HTTP): https://renda.vochsel.com/api/mcp with header `Authorization: Bearer <apiKey>`.
Tools: renda_trial, renda_claim, renda_signup, renda_verify, renda_render, renda_estimate, renda_get_job, renda_list_jobs, renda_render_video, renda_usage, renda_billing_link, …
Skills: `npx skills add vochsel/renda` · Claude Code plugin: `/plugin marketplace add vochsel/renda` then `/plugin install renda@renda`.

## 6. Errors and money
- Every API error is {"error": {"code", "message", "hint"}}; the CLI maps it to {"status":"error","reason","hint","next"}. Follow the hint.
- 402 payment_required (exit 4): run `renda billing` and give the URL to the user so they can add a card. Don't retry until they confirm.
- trial_limit: the trial caps resolution at 1920px; ask the user to open the claim link (`renda claim`).
- Prices, USD per render-minute, metered per second (queue time and cold starts aren't billed):
  - CPU (8 vCPU) (cpu): $0.015
  - NVIDIA L4 (gpu-l4): $0.035
  - NVIDIA L40S (gpu-l40s): $0.075

## 7. Raw HTTP API (no CLI)
- Trial: POST https://renda.vochsel.com/api/v1/auth/trial → {apiKey, claimUrl, freeSecondsLeft, expiresAt}
- Email: POST /api/v1/auth/magic/start {email} → POST /api/v1/auth/magic/verify {email, code} → {apiKey}
- Upload: POST /api/v1/uploads {filename, size, sha256} → PUT bytes to uploadUrl (skip when exists) → use asset://<sha256>
- Estimate: POST /api/v1/estimate {package} · Submit: POST /api/v1/jobs {package, kind?, priority?, idempotencyKey?} · Poll: GET /api/v1/jobs/{id}
- Send `Authorization: Bearer <apiKey>` on everything except auth routes.

## Links
- Package format: https://renda.vochsel.com/docs · JSON Schema: https://renda.vochsel.com/api/v1/schema.json · OpenAPI: https://renda.vochsel.com/api/v1/openapi.json
- Auth for agents: https://renda.vochsel.com/auth.md · MCP discovery: https://renda.vochsel.com/.well-known/mcp/server.json · Pricing JSON: https://renda.vochsel.com/api/v1/pricing
- npm: @rendahq/cli, @rendahq/mcp · PyPI: renda · Source: https://github.com/vochsel/renda