## The two-part system

Separate panels, one connected execution chain.

### GHOST CACHE

AI Asset Library

Indexes icons, images, videos, audio, fonts and other resources across multiple drives. It exposes stable asset records to GHOST COMMAND.

### GHOST COMMAND

AI Assistant for After Effects

Uses local commands or an active AI provider to understand instructions, search assets and execute controlled timeline actions.

## One-click Windows installation

No administrator access is normally required.

Extract the release ZIP.
Keep the installer and the “GHOST Creative System” folder together.
Double-click `Install_GHOST.cmd`.
The script installs the bundle to the current Windows user's Adobe CEP extensions folder.
Restart After Effects.
Open both panels from Window → Extensions (Legacy).
⚠
Close After Effects before installing or updating whenever possible. The installer creates a backup of an older GHOST installation.

## Multi-API Manager

The Bynara Agnes provider is preconfigured, but no publishable build contains a shared secret.

### Default profile

Endpoint: https://router.bynara.id/v1/chat/completions Model: agnes-2.0-flash Type: OpenAI-compatible Chat Completions

### Key handling

Open GHOST System Control → AI Providers, paste the key once, save, then choose “Use This API”. On Windows, the secret is protected for the current account using DPAPI.

🔐
Rotate any API key that has been pasted into chats, screenshots or public posts. Never distribute a release ZIP containing a shared API key.

## Local patch and online updates

Future fixes can be delivered as a small official update file containing only changed and deleted files.

### Apply Update File

Click the Update button in either panel, choose a `.ghostupdate` file, review the version and changed-file count, then apply it. GHOST validates the product ID, installed version, safe paths and every payload SHA-256. Close After Effects to finish installation.

### Backup & rollback

Before any patch is installed, GHOST creates a full extension backup. The Update Center can stage restoration of the most recent patch backup after After Effects closes.

⚠
Only apply official GHOST patch files. A patch may replace JavaScript and JSX and must be treated as executable application software.

### Automatic update feed

{ "version": "3.3.1", "downloadUrl": "https://your-domain.com/releases/GHOST_Creative_System_v3.3.1.zip", "sha256": "FULL_SHA256_OF_ZIP", "releaseNotes": "Live layer control update", "publishedAt": "2026-08-01T00:00:00Z" }

Paste the manifest URL in System Control → Updates. GHOST checks once daily, verifies the downloaded ZIP with SHA-256 and can install it automatically after After Effects closes.

## Beta testing checklist

Run the built-in self-test, then cover real project scenarios.

Both panels open without an error C: and G: source roots index successfully Micro–XL asset sizing works in a docked panel Search finds share icons, backgrounds, transitions and sound effects Direct-import assets enter the active composition GHOST COMMAND creates text and shape layers Pop animation and layer centering work Multiple API profiles save and switch correctly Invalid API key returns a readable error Crash logs and sanitized beta report export correctly Local .ghostupdate validation, staging and rollback work correctly Update feed reports current/new version correctly

Use System Control → Beta & Logs → Export Beta Report to create a sanitized JSON report. API keys are excluded.

## Tutorial video

A YouTube placeholder is included for now.

### Replace after upload

Open System Control → General and replace the Tutorial Video URL. Every Tutorial button in GHOST will then open the final video.

Current placeholder: https://www.youtube.com/

## Launch teaser copy

> 25 August 2026 — After Effects is about to get an AI asset brain and a command layer. Search your entire creative library, bring the right resource into the timeline and control the work with natural-language instructions. GHOST CACHE and GHOST COMMAND are coming.

Recommended video flow: resource folders → GHOST CACHE global search → choose share icon → GHOST COMMAND instruction → icon appears at composition center → pop animation → launch date.

## Current scope and honest limits

Ready in this build | Still requires launch infrastructure
--- | ---
One-click installer scripts, local user settings, multi-provider API manager, encrypted Windows key storage, provider switching, local patch updater, backup/rollback, automatic update client, update staging helper, 8-digit local beta key, crash logs, self-test, diagnostic export, tutorial placeholder and offline launch center. | A real hosted update-manifest URL, signed commercial installer, online account/license validation, remote crash-report server, final tutorial video and full production AI tool planner.