Rendley docs

Connect ChatGPT

Rendley connects to OpenAI two ways: as a custom connector inside ChatGPT, where you sign in once over OAuth, or as an MCP server in the Codex app and CLI, where you pass a bearer token. Pick the one that matches how you work.

ChatGPT (custom connector)

ChatGPT talks to Rendley through a custom connector that authenticates over OAuth, so there is no key to copy or rotate. Custom connectors run on the paid ChatGPT plans (Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu) and require developer mode for MCP servers.

1. Enable developer mode

Open Settings → Connectors → Advanced and turn on Developer mode. This exposes custom MCP connectors.

2. Create the connector

Back in Settings → Connectors, click Create. Fill in the form:

  • Name: Rendley
  • MCP server URL: https://mcp.rendley.com/mcp
  • Authentication: OAuth

Submit the form to add the connector.

3. Sign in

Click Connect on the Rendley connector. A Rendley sign-in tab opens, click Allow access to authorize ChatGPT. The connector now shows as connected, no API key required.

4. Use it in a chat

In the composer, open the + menu and enable the Rendley connector for the conversation. ChatGPT can now call Rendley whenever a request needs video. Jump to Try it to confirm.

Codex (desktop app)

Codex talks to Rendley over an MCP server with a bearer token. First create the key in Rendley, then add the server in Codex.

1. Create a Rendley API key

In Rendley, open Settings, scroll to API Keys, and click + Create your first key.

Rendley Settings, Create your first key
Rendley Settings, Create your first key

Name the key (for example Codex) and click Create key.

Create API key, Key name
Create API key, Key name

Copy the key now. Rendley shows it once.

API key created, Copy now
API key created, Copy now

2. Open Codex Settings

In Codex, click your avatar in the bottom-left, then Settings.

Codex user menu, Settings
Codex user menu, Settings

3. Add an MCP server

Under Integrations, select MCP servers, then click + Add server.

Settings, MCP servers, Add server
Settings, MCP servers, Add server

4. Configure Rendley

Fill in the form and click Save:

  • Name: Rendley
  • Transport: Streamable HTTP
  • URL: https://mcp.rendley.com/mcp
  • Headers: add a header with key Authorization and value Bearer YOUR_RENDLEY_API_KEY
Connect to a custom MCP, Rendley
Connect to a custom MCP, Rendley

5. Verify the connection

In a new chat, type /mcp. You should see rendley listed as Authenticated (API key) and Enabled.

/mcp, rendley Authenticated
/mcp, rendley Authenticated

Codex CLI

The Codex CLI uses ~/.codex/config.toml. Point it at an environment variable for your key:

[mcp_servers.rendley]
url = "https://mcp.rendley.com/mcp"
bearer_token_env_var = "RENDLEY_API_KEY"

Then export the key (add it to your shell profile so new sessions inherit it):

export RENDLEY_API_KEY="your_key_here"

Keeping the key in an env var means a rotated key just needs a new export, with no config edit.

Try it

Ask in the chat:

What can Rendley do here?

List my projects.

If ChatGPT or Codex lists Rendley’s tools and your projects, you’re connected. From there, describe the video you want and it builds the edit and returns a link.

Common issues

  • ChatGPT does not show the connector. Confirm you are on a paid plan and that Developer mode is enabled under Settings → Connectors → Advanced, then enable Rendley from the composer’s + menu.
  • The OAuth tab will not sign in. Allow pop-ups for app.rendley.com and try connecting again.
  • Codex returns 401. The bearer token is wrong or missing. In the desktop app, re-check the Authorization header. In the CLI, run echo $RENDLEY_API_KEY to make sure it’s exported in the shell that launched Codex.
  • rendley not listed under /mcp. Open Settings → MCP servers and confirm the server is saved and enabled.

More fixes in Troubleshooting.