From download to first video in 15 minutes.
Six steps, all in plain English. If anything blocks you, open a GitHub issue and we'll patch the guide.
System requirements
Windows 10 (build 1809+) or Windows 11
macOS 11+ (Apple Silicon or Intel) also supported. Linux is on the roadmap.
~5 GB free disk space for the install
Plus space for renders — budget another 1-2 GB per finished video.
8 GB RAM minimum, 16 GB recommended
Layered scenes + PSD imports + multi-channel projects benefit from 16+.
Discrete GPU strongly recommended
NVIDIA / AMD with NVENC or AMF support cuts render time ~10x vs CPU-only.
Install + first run
- 01
Install from the Microsoft Store (recommended)
The Microsoft Store install is verified by Microsoft — no SmartScreen warning, and it stays updated automatically. Click 'Get it from Microsoft Store' below. Prefer not to use the Store? A direct .exe installer is available too (see the SmartScreen note in step 2).
- 02
Direct .exe only: click past the SmartScreen warning
If you use the direct installer (TubeForge-Setup-1.1.0.exe from our GitHub release) instead of the Store, Windows shows 'Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app...'. Click 'More info' → 'Run anyway'. The Microsoft Store install skips this entirely.
- 03
Run the app
The Store handles install + shortcuts automatically. (Direct .exe: default path C:\Program Files\TubeForge\, ~60 seconds, creates a Start-menu entry + desktop shortcut.)
- 04
Sign in + unlock your free credits
The app is free to install; using it needs a TubeForge account. Start on the free tier (a $0 card unlocks 150 credits/month) or a plan from $9/mo — every AI step (script, images, voice, and Cloud Video) runs on your credits, with no API keys to set up anywhere. Cloud Video requires the app at v1.0.91+ — install the latest .exe/.dmg and it's ready; local rendering works on every version.
- 05
Connect a YouTube channel
Channels → Add Channel opens the browser OAuth flow. Sign in to the Google account that owns the channel and grant the requested scopes. The token is stored in your OS keychain.
- 06
Run Channel Assistant, then the guided director
Channel → Setup → describe your niche in one sentence. TubeForge generates a brand bible + 50 video ideas. New here? The guided "make a video" director walks you end-to-end with a cost gate at each step.
macOS 11+, Apple Silicon & Intel
TubeForge runs on macOS 11+ (Apple Silicon and Intel). It’s an unsigned beta, so the first launch needs one extra click.
- 01
Download the right .dmg for your Mac
Apple Silicon (M1–M4) Macs use the arm64 build; older Intel Macs use the x64 build. Not sure? Apple menu → About This Mac → look for 'Apple M…' (arm64) vs 'Intel' (x64).
- 02
Open it past Gatekeeper
The app is an unsigned beta, so a double-click shows 'cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.' Right-click (or Control-click) the app → Open → Open. You only do this once.
- 03
First run — same as Windows
Sign in, connect a YouTube channel, and run Channel Assistant — no API keys to paste. FFmpeg is bundled inside the app, so there's nothing extra to install.
TubeForge bundles FFmpeg (ffmpeg + ffprobe), licensed under the GPL. Source and license: ffmpeg.org.
Common problems
SmartScreen blocks the installer entirely
Right-click the .exe → Properties → check 'Unblock' → Apply, then re-run. This happens when the browser strips the mark-of-the-web on download.
AI generation says "sign in" or "out of credits"
AI runs on your TubeForge credits — there are no keys to set up. Open the app's Cloud AI panel to confirm you're signed in and check your balance; new accounts start on the free tier or a plan from $9/mo; top up anytime from $5.
YouTube OAuth keeps redirecting / fails
OAuth opens your default browser. With multiple Google accounts, make sure the picker lets you choose the one that owns the channel. Brand-account channels need the Brand Account switcher.
First render is slow / GPU not detected
The bundled FFmpeg autodetects NVENC (NVIDIA) and AMF (AMD). If autodetection fails, Settings → Render → Encoder lets you force a backend or fall back to CPU. NVIDIA users on drivers <531 should update first.
Still stuck?
Open a GitHub issue at our repo with the Help → Support Bundle attached (auto-zipped logs + system info, redacted of API keys). We respond within ~48 hours.