> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.open-animate.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cloud Rendering

> Render videos in the cloud without local infrastructure

Cloud rendering lets you export videos without needing Chromium or ffmpeg installed locally. Your project is bundled, uploaded, and rendered on hosted infrastructure using Remotion Lambda.

## Usage

```bash theme={null}
oanim render --cloud
```

<Note>
  Cloud rendering requires authentication. Run `oanim login` first, or set `ANIMATE_API_KEY`.
</Note>

## How it works

<Steps>
  ### Bundle

  Remotion bundles your project locally (`remotion bundle`), creating a static site with your compositions.

  ### Upload

  The bundle tarball is uploaded to the platform via `/api/v1/render/upload`.

  ### Render

  The platform renders your composition on AWS Lambda using Remotion's distributed rendering. Your `animate.json` settings (resolution, codec, fps, props) are applied.

  ### Stream progress

  The CLI polls for progress updates every 2 seconds and displays a percentage.

  ### Download

  The rendered MP4 is downloaded to your output path via a presigned S3 URL.
</Steps>

## Options

All standard `oanim render` flags work with `--cloud`:

```bash theme={null}
oanim render --cloud --out out/video.mp4
oanim render --cloud --fps 60 --res 3840x2160
oanim render --cloud --codec h265
```

See [oanim render](/cli/render) for the full flag reference.

## Output

On success:

```
✔ Cloud render complete

Output:     /path/to/out/MyComp.mp4
Size:       2.4 MB
Resolution: 1920x1080
FPS:        30
Codec:      h264
```

## When to use cloud rendering

| Scenario                  | Recommendation                                   |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| Local development         | Use local `oanim render` for fast iteration      |
| CI/CD pipelines           | Use `--cloud` to avoid installing Chromium in CI |
| Machines without ffmpeg   | Use `--cloud`                                    |
| Long/complex compositions | Use `--cloud` for better hardware                |
| Quick previews            | Use local render                                 |

## Pricing

Cloud rendering is billed based on render duration and resolution. Check your current balance with `oanim usage` and purchase credits with `oanim billing buy`. See [Credits & Billing](/platform/credits-and-billing) for details.