# `project.yaml`

> The project.yaml reference — project meta, the ordered scene list, and the thumbnail.

# `project.yaml`

The top of the project. It holds project-level `meta`, the **ordered `scenes:` list** (which *is* the
play order), and an optional `thumbnail`.

```yaml
# yaml-language-server: $schema=../../schemas/project.schema.json
meta:
  title: My Video
  resolution: [1920, 1080]
  fps: 30
  target: { platform: youtube, max_duration: 120, encode: youtube-1080p }
  budget: { max_usd: 5.0, require_approval_above: 0.5 }
scenes: [intro, demo, outro]        # order = play order; each id names a scenes/<id>.yaml
thumbnail: { source: hero_img, title_text: My Video }
```

## `meta`

Project-wide settings that every scene inherits.

| Field | Meaning |
|-------|---------|
| `title` | The video title (used in metadata, thumbnail, chapters). |
| `resolution` | `[width, height]` of the output canvas, e.g. `[1920, 1080]`. |
| `fps` | Frames per second. |
| `target` | Delivery target — `platform`, `max_duration` (seconds), and an `encode` profile. |
| `budget` | Cost guardrail — `max_usd` caps the run; `require_approval_above` gates paid work above a threshold. |

`meta` also carries optional `brand`, `avatar`, `voice`, `music`, `captions`, and `defaults`
(e.g. `defaults.video_speed`) — a per-scene value always overrides the project default.

## `scenes`

The ordered list of scene ids. **The list is the play order**, and each id must name a file in
`scenes/` (`intro` → `scenes/intro.yaml`):

```yaml
scenes: [intro, demo, outro]
```

Reorder the video by reordering this list. Deleting an id removes that scene from the cut (the scene
file can stay on disk).

## `thumbnail`

Optional. Points at an `image` source and overlays title text:

```yaml
thumbnail: { source: hero_img, title_text: My Video }
```

## Validate before you render

```bash
decodx plan my-video
```

`decodx plan` validates the whole file set, expands defaults, and prints the estimate table — no
cost, no render. Errors name the exact authored file and field.

Next: [`sources.yaml`](./sources) — the recipe map your scenes reference.