Refs

Connect it to your AI

Claude Code

claude mcp add --transport http refs https://refs.video/mcp

Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and other apps

Add it as a custom connector with this URL (Streamable HTTP):

https://refs.video/mcp

This server expects extra headers, usually an API key from its maker.

Cursor, VS Code and other apps (mcp.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "refs": {
      "url": "https://refs.video/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Tools it offers

14 tools, as the server itself reported during our check on Oct 31, 2026.

• search_videosSearch 4,000+ dissected top-performing videos (launch films, product demos, explainers, motion design, interactive/3D, film + music, teasers, UGC ads). Free: works with no key and no sign-in. Without an account it return
• get_blueprintThe full reverse-engineered blueprint of one video: hook frame by frame, beat sheet with timestamps, shot list, style guide, voice and sound, script template, production plan, edit recipe, QA checklist, plus a runnable r
• get_framesOne video's labelled frame sheets as images, so you can see the reference instead of guessing from text: the hook (first 3 s at 0.25 s steps), one frame per shot, and the whole film at fixed steps where measured. sheet "
• list_formulasFormulas distilled across many videos of one format (e.g. 'the silent UI workflow', 'the delayed hardware reveal'). Returns ids, titles, summaries and their source films; fetch one with get_formula. Needs a Refs account
• get_formulaThe full cross-video formula for one format, as markdown: structure, timing ranges, what top performers share, mistakes to avoid, and a template prompt. Needs a Refs account with Pro; without one, the app asks the user t
• list_collectionsYour collections on refs.video (named sets of films you saved) and your favourites, with ids and film counts. Pass an id to get_collection to read the films and use them as references. Needs a Refs account with Pro; with
• get_collectionEvery film in a Refs collection as search cards (REF id, link, length, aspect, measured metrics, why it works). Takes a collection id or refs.video/c/… link: anyone's shared collection, or your own private one; "favourit
• list_brandsYour brand imports on refs.video (refs.video/saved → Brandprint): each X account you imported, with its progress and film count. Private to you. Pass an id or handle to get_brand for the brand kit and every film. Needs a
• get_brandOne of your brand imports: the brand kit (the brand's house style across all its films: palette, type, logo and end card, motion and easing, pacing and cut rhythm, camera, transitions, sound and voice, recurring formats,
• plan_videoGive a brief (product, audience, length, platform) and 1-5 references (REF ids, links or ids, or your brand films' brand:<import>:<film> ids), and optionally one of your imported brands (brand) to plan in its house style
• storyboardBefore anything is built, storyboard the film the way an editor does. Send the storyboard you drafted from plan_video: 1 direction for a fixed brief, 2–4 when it's open. Each direction: logline, references (REF id + the
• check_renderAfter rendering a video from a reference, check it against that film's measured timeline and get concrete fixes: cut timing to the frame, pace, brightness curve, motion per shot, loudness for the platform, and format. Fi
• ugc_scanPaste a product page and Refs finds the UGC ads (creator-style vertical video ads on Meta and TikTok) that are working for its competitors, then takes them apart. Two steps. (1) ugc_scan(url) reads the page and returns a
• get_ugc_scanOne of your competitor UGC scans (from ugc_scan): its status and progress while the worker runs (queued → finding competitors → fetching ads → measuring → writing → summary → done), then the board: each competitor's winn

Questions