> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.memorystring.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.memorystring.app/get-started/quick-start.md). # Quick start From an empty project to an exported MemoryString movie: import, order, preview, music with Fit Show to Music, titles, and export. This guide gets you from empty project to exported movie in a few steps. For a guided tour, use **Help → Show Walkthrough**, or [watch the demos](/get-started/welcome.md#watch-a-demo). ![Empty project: drop media or use Add photos & videos](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c0c07e10e9ab72b9456ff4d06e28e8d926bff243%2Fempty-start.png?alt=media) ## 1. Start a project You always edit a `.memorystring` project file. * **File → New** (**⌘N**). **⌘W** or the red close button quits. Untitled work with content asks **Save** / **Don't Save** / **Cancel** first. * **File → Open…** (**⌘O**), **Open Recent**, or drop a `.memorystring` file on the window. * The app autosaves after you save once. Use **⌘S** / **⇧⌘S** anytime. **⌘Q** also asks to save untitled work. ## 2. Import media Imported photos and videos appear in the **Library** on the left. Folder and Finder imports stay **linked** to the original files. Media from **Photos.app** is **copied** into Application Support **Imports** because Photos does not allow stable links. Pasted screenshots with no file are copied the same way. See [Library](/build-your-movie/library.md#import). 1. Toolbar **+** → **Photos & Videos…**, or **File → Import Media…** 2. Or **File → Import from Photos…** (also on **+**): **Recent**, **Albums**, **People**, **By Month**, **Trips & Events**, **Media Type** 3. Or drop folders, photos, or videos on the window (including from Photos.app). 4. Or paste (**⌘V**). ![Toolbar + : Photos & Videos, Import from Photos, Music, Royalty-Free Library](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5553f2ce087b694f7be2681b7194967c02e81a29%2Ftoolbar-plus-menu.png?alt=media) ![Import from Photos sheet](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5ae215d5176e483497a6dc477a34821f54f833ae%2Fphotos-import-hub.png?alt=media) An empty **Library** shows **Nothing in library yet**. The preview area accepts drops. Hover hint for media: **Gather the thread**. Hover hint for a project file: **Bring back memories**. While the stage loader runs, drops are ignored. First import title: **Stringing it together...** with **Importing N of M...** and **Cancel**. **Add**, **+**, and Import stay grey. Hover: **Wait until this import finishes**. Opening a project: **It's coming back now\...** (no count). **Add**, **+**, and Import stay grey until the show is back. The loader is a spinner with a smoke animation. After the show has clips, a media drop reads **Add to story**. **Keep Best Shots** waits until the loader clears. **Photos:** `.jpg` / `.jpeg` / `.jfif`, `.png`, `.heic` / `.heif`, `.tif` / `.tiff`, `.webp`, `.bmp`, `.gif`\ **Videos:** `.mp4`, `.mov`, `.m4v`, `.avi`, `.mkv`, `.mpg` / `.mpeg`, `.m2v` Other types are skipped. Got a whole trip? Use [Long story short](/build-your-movie/long-story-short.md) (**File → Long story short**). Pick a length and it builds the movie from your best shots. An import that would put more than **150** photos and videos on the show offers it first. After import, **Keep Best Shots** may appear when similar photo groups are found. Extras move to **Outtakes**, where you can double-click one to **Peek** at it. Videos are **not** auto-trimmed on import. Right-click a clip → **Auto Trim**, or use the **Library** Show menu. Sideways photos and videos are already upright. See [Auto Trim](/build-your-movie/auto-detection.md#auto-trim) and [Orientation](/build-your-movie/auto-detection.md#orientation). ## 3. Order the story Drag **Library** thumbnails or **Timeline** clips until the order feels right. The **opening card** stays first when it is on. The **Library** divider snaps to whole columns of cards. **Library** calendar menu: **Oldest First (Story Order)**, **Newest First**, **Import Order**, or **Shuffle**. **Edit → Sort by Date Taken** offers the three date/import choices only. In **Essential**, a first import auto-sorts **Oldest First** when the **Library** was empty. ![Library calendar: Oldest First, Newest First, Import Order, Shuffle](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-45d9baefc4b2c7eff3b39abaf7c57372589f4cfa%2Flibrary-menu-sort.png?alt=media) More detail: [Organizing](/build-your-movie/organizing.md). ## 4. Preview Press **Space** or use **Play/Pause** under the preview. Click or drag the playhead to scrub. Hover the **Timeline** photo lane to peek. See [Preview](/build-your-movie/preview.md#playback). ## 5. Music Soundtrack lives in Inspector → **Audio** and on the **Audioline**, not in the **Library**. After the first photos land, **Music Follows Show** (on by default) adds bundled tracks from the current **Look** mood pool. Use **Pick New Music**, **Extend to Fill**, **Surprise me**, or **Fit Show to Music** on the Audio tab. Toolbar **+** → **Music…** or **Royalty-Free Library…**. To trim a song, select it on the **Audioline**, scrub to the moment you want, then **Set Start Here** / **Set End Here**. See [Music](/build-your-movie/music.md#audition-the-audioline). ## 6. Polish (optional) Open the Inspector (**⌥⌘I**) for more control: * **Style**: Look, Energy, Stage, Photo Size, Captions, Customize (Studio) * **Titles**: opening card and optional closing words (**The End** is already in the box) * **Motion**: Studio only: Transitions, multi-photo groups * **Audio**: playlist, **Music Follows Show**, **Fit Show to Music** / **Extend to Fill** / **Surprise me** * **Format**: aspect / Social Safe (Instagram first among Social swatches) ## 7. Export Toolbar **Export** or **File → Export Movie…** (**⌘E**). Choose format, resolution, quality (Compact / Share / High / Best), and frame rate. Click **Export**. Check **Screensaver** for a looping display movie (no audio, skips the opening card). Wait for **Creating memory…**. You get an H.264 MP4. Every exported movie (except Screensaver) ends with a **Created with MemoryString** credit. The app is free, and the credit helps more people find it. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://docs.memorystring.app/get-started/quick-start.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.