Run QH Pixels locally

Before you start

Install Node.js 24 or newer and Git. FFmpeg is needed for GIF and MP4 export. QH Pixels currently runs from source; there is no packaged application installer linked here.

Start the development studio

1. Clone the source:

   Terminal

   ShellCopy

   1git clone https://github.com/qentrah/qh-pixels.git
   2cd qh-pixels

2. Install the locked dependencies:

   Terminal

   ShellCopy

   1npm ci

3. Start the API and development preview:

   Terminal

   ShellCopy

   1npm run dev

4. Open the local studio. The API runs at http://127.0.0.1:8095.

You should see the workspace sidebar, character motions, preview, and frame timeline. Use the MCP guide to connect an authoring agent.

Run the production bundle

Stop the development server before using the same API port:

1npm run build
2npm start

Open the bundled studio.

Check the installation

1npm test
2npm run build

If a server reports that its port is already in use, stop your earlier QH Pixels process before restarting it. If dependencies fail to install, check node --version and use Node.js 24 or newer. GIF and MP4 export also require FFmpeg; see the repository checks and recording instructions.