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Chalkboard

github.com

Free plan WebSelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.7 #21 of 73 in Reverse Engineering Tools

What it is

Chalkboard is free, MIT-licensed software that turns a prompt into a narrated explainer video and exports an MP4. It supports 16:9 explainers, vertical short-form reels, and cinematic documentaries. Cinematic mode researches a topic and places cited sources in the script. Productions can be dubbed into multiple languages in one run, with subtitles set independently from narration language. Script generation works with Anthropic, OpenAI, or local Ollama; narration can use Piper, OpenAI, or ElevenLabs. Chalkboard creates hand-drawn diagrams, supports SVG artwork, and can generate images through OpenAI’s gpt-image-2. Subtitles and mood-matched music are enabled by default, with Jamendo or user-supplied tracks available. The project provides a command-line interface, library, HTTP API, and web studio, and runs self-hosted. Ollama and Piper support local generation at zero marginal cost per video. Generated images require an OpenAI API key and may incur costs.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Chalkboard turns a prompt into a narrated, whiteboard-style explainer video exported as an MP4.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
Chalkboard is released under the MIT License.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
AI providers
Script generation supports Anthropic, OpenAI, and local Ollama; narration supports Piper, OpenAI, and ElevenLabs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Audio
Subtitles and mood-matched background music are enabled by default, and users can choose Jamendo music or provide their own track.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Cost limits
Generated images require an OpenAI API key and incur costs; the README says image generation can be disabled or capped per video.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Languages
A production can be dubbed into multiple languages in one run, with subtitles in a language different from the narration.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Research
The Cinematic mode researches topics and injects cited sources into the script to ground the narration.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security detail
The README says API keys are read from the server environment and the web UI never sees them.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Self-hosting
The project runs on the user's machine and can use Ollama and Piper for local script generation and narration at zero marginal cost per video.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Video formats
It supports 16:9 explainers, vertical short-form reels, and research-backed cinematic documentaries.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Visuals
It creates hand-drawn diagrams and can generate images with OpenAI's gpt-image-2; SVG art is also supported.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Ways to use
The project provides a command-line interface, a library, an HTTP API, and a web studio.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free MIT-licensed software · local providers available at zero marginal cost per video Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Chalkboard plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free MIT-licensed software
  • Multiple video formats and languages
  • CLI, library, API, and web studio
  • Local providers can avoid per-video costs
  • Cited research mode for documentaries

Limits

  • Generated images can incur OpenAI costs
  • Image generation requires an API key
  • Self-hosted setup is required

Who it suits

It suits creators who need narrated whiteboard, reel, or documentary videos from prompts. Self-hosting and local Ollama or Piper options fit users who want local generation.

Verdict

Chalkboard combines prompt-based scripting, drawing animation, narration, research, and export in one self-hosted project. Its local provider support is useful, but image generation has separate OpenAI requirements and costs.

Where Specifiction places it

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