How to extract video frames with Claude, ChatGPT, and other AI agents

Option 1: Connect the remote MCP server

The remote MCP server exposes the Video Frame API as tools such as getvideoframes_create_job and getvideoframes_get_job. Add the server URL to your client, authorize once with a gvf_live_ API key, and ask for frames in plain language. In Claude Code it is one command:

claude mcp add --transport http getvideoframes https://mcp.getvideoframes.com/mcp

Setup steps for Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, VS Code, and other clients are on the MCP server page.

Option 2: Run the GVF local MCP for private files

GVF is an open-source (MIT) MCP server and CLI that runs over stdio on your machine. Its recommended tool, gvf_run, samples a local video, scores scenes and sharpness, can detect objects such as people, and exports only the selected frames at full quality. It never uploads video, has no telemetry, and does not use API credits. Install it from source, then register it:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gvf": { "command": "gvf-mcp" }
  }
}

Option 3: Have your agent call the REST API

When the agent is writing software rather than chatting, point it at the REST API and its OpenAPI spec. One POST creates a job; wait=true returns the frames in the same response for short videos, and webhook_url notifies your server when longer jobs finish.

curl -X POST https://api.getvideoframes.com/v1/jobs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $GVF_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VIDEO_ID","every":2,"wait":true}'

The developer dashboard includes a ready-made prompt that teaches a coding agent the endpoints, rate-limit headers, and error types.

What happens when an agent extracts frames

The agent calls the create tool with the link and options, GetVideoFrames downloads the video, extracts the frames with FFmpeg, and returns signed image URLs or a ZIP. URLs expire after the plan's retention period (1 day on free and packs, 7 days on paid plans). To have the model look at a frame, the client must fetch the image: some clients display image URLs automatically, others need you to open or attach them.