> **Shapeless capabilities index**
> Fetch https://shapelessai.com/llms.txt to discover every page before exploring further.
> Every page also answers Markdown: append `.md` to its path, or send `Accept: text/markdown`.

# Render a thumbnail

*Verified 2026-10-07. Source: https://shapelessai.com/capabilities/render-thumbnail*

Package a finished video with its cover: one frame of it, three to five words, at most one picture, sized for the platform.

It is filed beside the video as <video>-thumbnail.jpg, so a post that carries only the video key gets the cover on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Reels without another step.

## Ask in plain words

- "make a YouTube thumbnail for this video"
- "thumbnail generator API"
- "put a three word cover on my Reel"

## From an agent host (MCP)

Server: `https://shapelessai.com/mcp` ([add it to your host](https://shapelessai.com/connect)).

- `tools_run` with `{ "name": "render_thumbnail", "input": { ... } }`: the input is the REST body below; `tools_list` prints its JSON Schema.

## From code (REST)

Bearer API key with the scope each call names ([auth](https://shapelessai.com/docs/auth), [OpenAPI](https://shapelessai.com/api/openapi.json)).

- `POST /api/thumbnails` (write scope): A frame of a video plus words (tool render_thumbnail). Schema on GET /api/tools.

## From a terminal (CLI)

- `shapeless tools run render_thumbnail --input '<json>'` (`tools show render_thumbnail` prints the schema)

## Example

```bash
curl -s https://shapelessai.com/api/thumbnails -H "Authorization: Bearer $SHAPELESS_API_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"video_key":"<mediaKey>","frame_at":3.2,"headline":"We cut *the price*"}'
```

## Refusals

| Status | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| 400 | The input does not match the tool's schema; the message names the field. |
| 402 | Not enough credit to hold budgetUsd, or the call costs more than budgetUsd. |
| 404 | No such tool on this deployment. |
| 422 | The tool refused this input; nothing was charged. |
| 502 | The tool failed; nothing was charged. |

## Where else

- [The api docs](https://shapelessai.com/docs/api) ([markdown](https://shapelessai.com/docs/api.md))