ThumbExp helps you generate better YouTube and social media thumbnails. Upload your video, get AI-powered thumbnail suggestions based on the actual content, pick one, add context, and download a ready-to-use image no design tools required.
ThumbExp.mp4
This project is currently open source. That may change in the future.
- Frontend : Next.js, Tailwind CSS
- Backend : Node.js, Express.js, FFmpeg
- AI : Replicate API
- Node.js installed
- FFmpeg installed (see below)
- A Replicate API key : get one at replicate.com
SSH:
git clone git@github.com:SuperexMack/ThumbExp.gitHTTPS:
git clone https://github.com/SuperexMack/ThumbExp.gitcd ThumbExp/Frontend/client
npm install
npm run devNavigate to the Backend folder and create a .env file:
cd ../../Backend
touch .envOpen it and add the following:
PORT=9000
API_KEY=your_replicate_api_key_here
Then install dependencies and start the server:
npm install
npm run devVisit http://localhost:3000
Ubuntu / Debian:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install ffmpeg -y
ffmpeg -versionIf the version prints correctly, you are good to go.
- Go to http://localhost:3000/thumbCreate or click Start Building
- Upload your video
- Wait a moment : ThumbExp will analyze the video and surface thumbnail suggestions
- Select a suggestion that fits your content
- Add context describing what the thumbnail should convey
- Click Generate Thumbnail
- Once generated, hit Download
- No user accounts yet , everything runs as a guest session
- Videos with no spoken audio (pure music, vlogs, room tours) may not generate strong suggestions voice-based content works best right now. Improving this is on the roadmap.
- Version 1.0 , expect rough edges
Found a bug? Reach out:
- Twitter / X: @mohitsatitwt
- LinkedIn: mohitsatilinks
Open source contributions are welcome. If you want to improve ThumbExp whether it is a bug fix, a new feature, or a better approach to something open a pull request or start a discussion.
Built with hard work and care by Mohit Sati