---
name: runway-install-auth
description: "Runway install auth \u2014 AI video generation and creative AI platform.\n\
  Use when working with Runway for video generation, image editing, or creative AI.\n\
  Trigger with phrases like \"runway install auth\", \"runway-install-auth\", \"AI\
  \ video generation\".\n"
allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Bash(pip:*), Bash(npm:*), Bash(curl:*), Grep
version: 2.0.0
license: MIT
author: Jeremy Longshore <jeremy@intentsolutions.io>
tags:
- saas
- runway
- ai
- video-generation
- creative
compatibility: Designed for Claude Code, also compatible with Codex and OpenClaw
---
# Runway Install Auth

## Overview

Install the Runway ML SDK and configure API key authentication for AI video generation.

## Prerequisites

- Runway account at runwayml.com
- API key from the Runway Developer Portal (dev.runwayml.com)
- Python 3.9+ or Node.js 18+

## Instructions

### Step 1: Install SDK

```bash
set -euo pipefail
# Python
pip install runwayml

# Node.js
npm install @runwayml/sdk
```

### Step 2: Configure Environment

```bash
# .env
RUNWAYML_API_SECRET=key_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
```

### Step 3: Verify Connection (Python)

```python
from runwayml import RunwayML

client = RunwayML()  # Reads RUNWAYML_API_SECRET from env

# The client is ready — no explicit auth call needed
# SDK auto-authenticates on first API call
print("RunwayML client initialized")
```

### Step 4: Verify Connection (Node.js)

```typescript
import RunwayML from '@runwayml/sdk';

const runway = new RunwayML();  // Reads RUNWAYML_API_SECRET from env
console.log('RunwayML client initialized');
```

## Output

- `runwayml` SDK installed
- API key configured via environment variable
- Client ready for video generation

## Error Handling

| Error | Cause | Solution |
|-------|-------|----------|
| `401 Unauthorized` | Invalid API key | Verify key at dev.runwayml.com |
| `ModuleNotFoundError` | SDK not installed | `pip install runwayml` |
| `RUNWAYML_API_SECRET not set` | Missing env var | Set in .env or export |

## Resources

- [Runway API Documentation](https://docs.dev.runwayml.com/)
- [Python SDK](https://github.com/runwayml/sdk-python)
- [API Getting Started](https://docs.dev.runwayml.com/guides/using-the-api/)

## Next Steps

Generate your first video: `runway-hello-world`
