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Configuration

Manim Studio is intentionally light on configuration. The catalog and build paths default to conventional locations, and both the CLI and MCP server can be pointed at external projects.

Catalog Path

Default:

catalog/scenes.yaml

CLI commands accept --catalog where target-specific catalog access is needed:

studio list --catalog catalog/scenes.yaml
studio catalog validate --catalog catalog/scenes.yaml

The MCP server reads:

MANIM_STUDIO_CATALOG

when set. Otherwise it uses catalog/scenes.yaml.

Repository Root

Most CLI commands accept --repo-root. When omitted, the current working directory is used.

The MCP server reads:

MANIM_STUDIO_REPO_ROOT

when set. Otherwise it uses the current working directory.

Builds Root

Default:

builds

Render, build, export, and inspect commands accept --builds-root:

studio render examples/square_to_circle --builds-root builds
studio inspect <build-id> --builds-root builds

The MCP server reads:

MANIM_STUDIO_BUILDS_ROOT

when set. Otherwise it uses builds.

Pinned Runtime Dependencies

The runtime currently pins:

  • base image: manimcommunity/manim:v0.20.1
  • Python package: manim==0.20.1
  • Python package: manim-slides==5.6.0
  • Python package: python-pptx==1.0.2
  • Python package: PyYAML==6.0.2
  • Python package: mcp>=1.28,<2

The image also installs FFmpeg, TeX Live LaTeX/XeLaTeX support, dvisvgm, fontconfig, DejaVu fonts, and Noto fonts.