When you want to automate this

Personalised for every name on the list.

1
See it
OutputMP4
Size1080 × 1080 (1:1)
Length10s
Frame rate25 fps
Tracks / clips2 / 2
Assets used1 audio, 1 html5
Soundtrackno
Merge fields7
2
Make it yours

Send a merge array with your values for these fields:

FieldDefault value
{{ EVENT }}GRID
{{ EDITION }}26
{{ TITLE }}Design Systems Summit
{{ CITY }}Amsterdam
{{ DATES }}14–15 Nov
{{ BEATS }}0.048,0.548,1.048,1.548,2.048,2.548,3.048,3.548,4.048,4.548,5.048,5.548,6.048,6.548,7.048,7.548,8.048,8.548,9.048,9.548,10.048
{{ BARS }}1.548,3.548,5.548,7.548,9.548
Edit and save to your account
3
Run it once

Save the JSON above as template.json, then render in the free sandbox:

# Save the JSON above as template.json, then:
curl -X POST https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render \
  -H "x-api-key: $SHOTSTACK_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d @template.json

# Poll until status is "done", then download response.url
curl https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render/RENDER_ID -H "x-api-key: $SHOTSTACK_API_KEY"
import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';

const headers = { 'x-api-key': process.env.SHOTSTACK_API_KEY, 'Content-Type': 'application/json' };
const edit = JSON.parse(readFileSync('template.json', 'utf8'));

const { response } = await fetch('https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render', {
  method: 'POST', headers, body: JSON.stringify(edit)
}).then((r) => r.json());

let render;
do {
  await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 3000));
  render = (await fetch(`https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render/${response.id}`, { headers }).then((r) => r.json())).response;
} while (!['done', 'failed'].includes(render.status));

console.log(render.status, render.url);
import json, os, time, requests

headers = {"x-api-key": os.environ["SHOTSTACK_API_KEY"]}
with open("template.json") as f:
    edit = json.load(f)

render_id = requests.post("https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render", json=edit, headers=headers).json()["response"]["id"]

while True:
    render = requests.get(f"https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render/{render_id}", headers=headers).json()["response"]
    if render["status"] in ("done", "failed"):
        break
    time.sleep(3)

print(render["status"], render.get("url"))
npm install -g @shotstack/cli
export SHOTSTACK_API_KEY=your_sandbox_key

shotstack validate template.json          # offline schema check, free
shotstack render template.json --env stage --watch

Sandbox renders are free and watermarked. Production: the v1 endpoint and key. SDKs

4
Automate it

Merge each recipient’s name and details to send everyone their own version.

Paste into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor — your AI assistant builds the workflow around your data.

Node.js, one render per CSV row, wired to this template's 7 merge fields. Setup steps in the header.

Guides: Bulk-create from a CSV · Webhooks · Templates endpoint · Render your first video

AI assistants: Markdown () · · · CLI skill: SKILL.md () · MCP server

Common questions

How do I change the text and media without editing the JSON?

Use the 7 merge fields listed above. Send a merge array with your own values for each field and the API swaps them in at render time, so one template can produce thousands of unique videos.

Can I use this square template for Instagram and LinkedIn feeds?

Yes. It renders 1080×1080 (1:1). Set output.aspectRatio to 9:16 or 16:9 in the JSON to produce vertical or landscape versions from the same timeline.

What size and length is the output?

This template renders a 1080×1080 (1:1) MP4 that is 10 seconds long, built from 2 clips on 2 tracks.

Can I generate hundreds of these automatically?

Yes. Loop over your data source (a CSV, a database, a webhook payload), send one render request per row with different values, and use a callback URL so Shotstack notifies you when each video is ready.