How to Add a User
Enter their email and a temporary password, then click Add User. They can sign in immediately using the password you set, or click "Sign in with Google" if it's a Gmail address. On first sign-in with a password, they'll be asked to set their own. Each user enters their own API keys in Settings — you don't share yours.
What Users Need to Get Started
Required: A Claude API key from console.anthropic.com — this powers all AI features (chat, Fresh Eyes, Producer Review, etc.).
Optional: An OpenAI API key from platform.openai.com — enables natural Coach voice and future image generation.
Optional: A YouTube API key from console.cloud.google.com — enables X-Ray video analysis and Channel Discovery.
Admin vs. Regular User
Regular users see Settings tabs: General, AI Models, Shortcuts. They can write scripts, use all AI features, and manage their own projects.
Admins see additional tabs: Debug (console logs), Data (raw data editor), Bot Insights (what users ask Coach), and Admin (this panel). Admins can add/remove users and grant admin access to others.
Who Pays for AI Usage?
Each user pays for their own AI usage through their own API keys. VideoScript Studio doesn't charge anything — costs go directly to Anthropic (Claude) and OpenAI through the user's accounts. The cost tracker in the toolbar shows each user their own spending. Typical costs: a chat message is less than $0.01, a full Producer Review is $0.01-0.05, a Full Auto Build is $0.30-0.50.
API Keys & Security
All API keys are stored securely in the cloud database (Firestore), not in the browser. When the app makes an AI call, it goes through a secure server-side proxy (Cloud Functions) that reads the user's key from the database. Keys are never visible to other users or exposed in browser traffic.
Removing a User
Click "Remove" next to a user's name. This deletes them from the whitelist and from Firebase Authentication. They lose access immediately on their next page load. Their project data remains in the database but is inaccessible. You cannot remove yourself.
Coach Voice
The speaker button (🔇/🔊) at the bottom of the Coach panel enables voice. If the user has an OpenAI API key, Coach uses natural-sounding voices (Nova, Onyx, Alloy, Echo, Fable, Shimmer). Without an OpenAI key, it falls back to the browser's built-in voice. The voice selector dropdown lets users pick their preferred voice. Each spoken message costs less than $0.01.
Cost Tracker
The dollar amount in the toolbar shows total AI spending for the current session. Click it for a breakdown: Claude costs, OpenAI costs (voice + images), and YouTube calls (free). Every API call is logged with time, service, model, and cost. Click "Reset Costs" to clear the counter.
Emergency Backup
Settings → General → Emergency Backup downloads the entire app state as a JSON file. Use this if something goes wrong — it captures everything regardless of app state. Regular project exports are also available via the Export button in the toolbar.