Quick Start Guide

From download to
tagged footage in minutes.

This guide is written for filmmakers, not engineers. No technical knowledge required. Follow each step in order and you'll be searching your footage library before lunch.

⏱️ About 10 minutes to complete setup
1
Download
2
Runtime
3
Install App
4
API Key
5
Choose Folder
6
Start Tagging
7
Find Clips
Before you start — what you'll need:
A Mac running macOS 12 or later · An internet connection for initial setup · A Google account (free) to get your Gemini API key · Your footage folder or NAS drive mounted in Finder
Before you start — what you'll need:
Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) · Python 3.10 or later installed · An internet connection for initial setup · A Google account (free) to get your Gemini API key · Your footage folder or NAS drive mapped in File Explorer
1
Step 1 of 7
Purchase and download METANAS
From Gumroad to your Downloads folder

METANAS is sold through Gumroad. After you purchase, Gumroad shows two files to download — a one-time Runtime installer and the METANAS app itself.

  1. 1
    Click the button below to go to the Gumroad listing.
  2. 2
    Click "I want this" and enter your payment details. You'll pay once — $50 — and that's it forever.
  3. 3
    After payment, Gumroad shows two download buttons. Download both files to your Downloads folder.
  4. 4
    You'll also receive a confirmation email with a re-download link and your unique license code — save both.
🔑 Save your license code.
After checkout, Gumroad shows a unique license code on the confirmation page and in your email receipt. You'll need it to activate METANAS on first launch. Copy it now — keep it somewhere safe.
What you're downloading — two files (Mac):
  • METANAS-Runtime-1.0.pkg · ~327 MB · one-time — the engine (Python, ffmpeg, Whisper). Install once, never again.
  • METANAS-14.1.0.dmg · ~9.5 MB · the METANAS app itself. This is the file you re-download for future updates.
What you're downloading — one file (Windows):
  • METANAS_v14.1_Setup.exe · the METANAS installer for Windows. It installs all dependencies automatically on first launch.
2
Step 2 of 7
Install the Runtime
One-time engine install · ~2 minutes

The Runtime bundles Python, ffmpeg, exiftool, and the Whisper transcription model that METANAS needs to work. Install it once — every future METANAS version will reuse it, so you'll never do this step again.

  1. 1
    In Finder, open your Downloads folder and find METANAS-Runtime-1.0.pkg.
  2. 2
    Double-click it. The macOS installer opens.
  3. 3
    Click Continue → Continue → Install. Enter your Mac password when asked.
  4. 4
    Wait for the green checkmark, then click Close. You can move the .pkg to Trash.
If you see "unidentified developer":
Right-click METANAS-Runtime-1.0.pkg → Open → Open in the dialog. The Runtime is fully signed and notarized by Apple — this is a one-time macOS confirmation.
Why is this a separate file?
The Runtime is ~327 MB. Splitting it out means future METANAS updates are only ~10 MB — fast downloads, same performance.
2
Step 2 of 7
Install Python
One-time prerequisite · ~3 minutes

METANAS needs Python to run its AI pipeline. If you already have Python 3.10 or later installed, skip ahead to Step 3. Otherwise, follow these steps to install it.

  1. 1
    Go to python.org/downloads and click Download Python 3.x (the latest version).
  2. 2
    Run the downloaded .exe installer.
  3. 3
    Important: On the very first screen, check the box that says "Add python.exe to PATH" at the bottom. This is essential.
  4. 4
    Click Install Now and wait for it to finish.
  5. 5
    Click Close when done.
Don't skip "Add to PATH".
If you miss this checkbox, METANAS won't be able to find Python. If you already installed Python without it, re-run the installer, choose Modify, and make sure the PATH option is checked.
Already have Python?
Open Command Prompt and type python --version. If you see Python 3.10 or higher, you're good — skip to Step 3.
3
Step 3 of 7
Install the METANAS app
Drag to Applications · standard Mac install

Now install the app itself. This is the file you'll re-download for future METANAS versions — always small (~10 MB).

  1. 1
    In Finder, open Downloads and double-click METANAS-14.1.0.dmg.
  2. 2
    A window opens showing the METANAS icon and a shortcut to Applications. Drag the METANAS icon onto the Applications folder.
  3. 3
    Eject the installer (right-click the drive on your desktop → Eject). You can delete the .dmg.
  4. 4
    Open Applications and double-click METANAS to launch it.
What you'll see on first launch:
METANAS opens in your web browser at http://127.0.0.1:5151. That's normal — the interface runs locally on your Mac. Your footage never leaves your network.
If macOS blocks the app:
Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down, and click "Open Anyway". One-time confirmation.
🔑 Activate on first launch.
The first time METANAS opens, it asks for the unique license code from your Gumroad purchase. Paste it in and click Activate. This ties your copy to your purchase — you only do this once per Mac. If you've lost the code, check your Gumroad email receipt or log in to gumroad.com/library.
3
Step 3 of 7
Install the METANAS app
Run the .exe installer · ~2 minutes

Run the METANAS installer you downloaded from Gumroad. On first launch, METANAS will automatically install its Python dependencies (ffmpeg, Whisper, etc.) — this takes a few minutes the first time only.

  1. 1
    In File Explorer, open your Downloads folder and double-click METANAS_v14.1_Setup.exe.
  2. 2
    Windows SmartScreen will appear — this is normal for new software. Click "More info", then click "Run anyway". (See the warning box below for details.)
  3. 3
    Follow the installer prompts — choose an install location (the default is fine) and click Install.
  4. 4
    When the installer finishes, check "Launch METANAS" and click Finish.
  5. 5
    On first launch, a terminal window opens and installs Python packages. Don't close it — wait for it to finish and your browser will open automatically.
🛡️ About the Windows SmartScreen warning.
Windows shows a "Windows protected your PC" popup for apps from new publishers. This is standard for any independent software — METANAS is safe. Here's what to do:

1. You'll see a blue popup saying the app is unrecognised.
2. Click the "More info" link (it's small, below the warning text).
3. A "Run anyway" button appears. Click it.
4. You'll only see this once — Windows remembers your choice.
What you'll see on first launch:
A terminal window will open showing the setup progress — Python packages being installed, ffmpeg being configured. This takes 2–5 minutes the first time. When it's done, METANAS opens in your browser at http://127.0.0.1:5151. Your footage never leaves your machine.
🔑 Activate on first launch.
The first time METANAS opens, it asks for the unique license code from your Gumroad purchase. Paste it in and click Activate. This ties your copy to your purchase — you only do this once per machine. If you've lost the code, check your Gumroad email receipt or log in to gumroad.com/library.
4
Step 4 of 7
Get your free Gemini API key
Google's AI — free for most usage levels

METANAS uses Google's Gemini AI to analyse your footage. You need a free API key from Google — think of it as a password that lets METANAS talk to the AI on your behalf. Google's free tier handles around 1,500 clips per day.

What is an API key?
It's a long code (like a password) that Google gives you. You paste it into METANAS once, and it remembers it. METANAS uses it to send keyframe images to Gemini and get back AI-generated tags. No video or audio files ever leave your machine.
  1. 1
    Go to aistudio.google.com/app/apikey
  2. 2
    Sign in with your Google account.
  3. 3
    Click "Create API Key". Google creates a key — a long string of letters and numbers.
  4. 4
    Click the Copy button next to your new API key.
  5. 5
    In METANAS, click the Settings icon (gear icon, top right).
  6. 6
    Paste your key into the "Gemini API Key" field and click Save.
How to check it's working:
After saving your API key, METANAS shows a green Connected indicator. If it shows red, double-check you copied the full key without extra spaces.
5
Step 5 of 7
Choose your footage folder
Your NAS, USB drive, or local folder

Now tell METANAS where your footage lives. This can be your NAS drive, a USB hard drive, or any local folder. If the folder appears in Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows), METANAS can tag it.

Using a NAS drive?
Make sure your NAS is mounted in Finder before continuing. Look in Finder's sidebar under "Network" or "Locations".
Using a NAS drive?
Make sure your NAS is mapped as a network drive in File Explorer before continuing. Right-click "This PC" → "Map network drive" and enter your NAS address (e.g. \\192.168.1.x\footage).
  1. 1
    In the METANAS main window, click "Choose Folder" or the folder icon.
  2. 2
    Navigate to your footage folder in the Finder window.
  3. 3
    Click Select. METANAS scans and shows how many clips it found.
  4. 4
    Review the count. If it looks right, you're ready to start tagging.
Start small on your first run:
If you have thousands of clips, select a smaller sub-folder first — maybe 50–100 clips. This lets you verify the output before tagging your entire library.
6
Step 6 of 7
Start tagging
Hit Start and let METANAS do the work

Press Start and watch as METANAS works through your clips one by one — reading each video, describing it with AI, and writing the metadata. You don't need to do anything while it runs.

  1. 1
    Click the Start Tagging button.
  2. 2
    A live log shows what METANAS is doing for each clip.
  3. 3
    You can leave METANAS running in the background.
  4. 4
    When finished, a completion message shows how many clips were tagged.
→ Processing clip_0001.mp4 [1 of 50]
✦ Gemini: Wide shot · golden hour · aerial · landscape
✓ XMP written → clip_0001.xmp
→ Processing clip_0002.mp4 [2 of 50]
✦ Gemini: Close-up · interview · indoor · natural light
→ Whisper: Transcribing audio...
✓ Transcript + XMP written → clip_0002.xmp
The live log shows METANAS working through each clip. Green lines mean everything is working correctly.
How long does it take?
Each clip takes roughly 5–15 seconds. 50 clips takes around 10 minutes. 500 clips takes 1–2 hours. You can leave it running overnight for very large libraries.
What METANAS writes for each clip:
  • Shot type (wide, close-up, aerial, medium)
  • Camera movement (static, pan, tilt, drone, handheld)
  • Time of day and lighting (golden hour, indoor, overcast)
  • Mood and atmosphere (dramatic, calm, energetic)
  • Subjects and setting (people, location, activity)
  • Full audio transcript (if the clip has dialogue or narration)
7
Step 7 of 7
Search your archive
Main Archive inside METANAS, or Bridge / Premiere / Finder

Your footage is now searchable in two places: the Main Archive inside METANAS (with both Exact and Smart search), and in Adobe Premiere, Bridge, and Finder, because the metadata is embedded directly in your files.

  1. 1
    In METANAS, click the 🗄 Main Archive pill at the top. This shows every folder you've ever tagged.
  2. 2
    Toggle between 🔍 Exact and ✨ Smart search. Smart uses Gemini to understand intent; Exact does literal keyword matching.
  3. 3
    Type what you're looking for — e.g. "golden hour wide shot", "close-up interview", or "moody slow-mo at sunset".
  4. 4
    Click any result to preview it or reveal the file in Finder. Open the same folder in Adobe Bridge or Premiere — your tags are already there.
You're done.
Your footage library is now fully tagged and searchable. Every time you add new clips, just run METANAS again — it skips already-tagged clips and only processes new ones.
Using Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve?
METANAS writes XMP sidecar files alongside each clip. FCP and DaVinci can read these sidecar files. Check your NLE's documentation for importing XMP metadata.
🎬

Your footage library is tagged.

You've saved hours of manual metadata work. Every time you shoot, run METANAS on your new clips — it gets faster as your library grows because it skips already-tagged files.

?
Need help?
Common issues and fixes
If something isn't working, check here first
⚠ "Runtime not found" on first launch
Fix: You installed METANAS.app but skipped Step 2. Go back, install METANAS-Runtime-1.0.pkg first, then relaunch METANAS.
⚠ "Invalid license code" on first launch
Fix: Copy the license code directly from your Gumroad receipt email or from gumroad.com/library — watch for extra spaces. Paste it into the activation window and click Activate.
⚠ "Gemini returned an empty response"
Fix: Check your API key in Settings — make sure it was copied correctly with no extra spaces. Also check your internet connection.
⚠ "API key invalid"
Fix: Go back to aistudio.google.com/app/apikey, create a new API key, and paste it fresh into Settings.
⚠ "Cannot open app — unidentified developer"
Fix: Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down, click "Open Anyway". One-time step.
⚠ NAS drive not showing in folder picker
Fix: Mount your NAS in Finder first. Open Finder, look under "Network" in the sidebar, connect to your NAS. Then retry in METANAS.
⚠ NAS drive not showing in folder picker
Fix: Map your NAS as a network drive first. Right-click "This PC" in File Explorer → "Map network drive" → enter your NAS path. Then retry in METANAS.
⚠ METANAS is running very slowly
Fix: Normal for large libraries — each clip takes 5–15 seconds. For slow NAS connections, try copying a batch of clips locally first.
⚠ No XMP files appearing after tagging
Fix: Check that METANAS finished without errors (no red lines in log). Verify you have write permission to the footage folder.
⚠ Can't search tags in Premiere
Fix: Open Adobe Bridge first, navigate to your tagged folder, let Bridge index it. Then search in Bridge. Alternatively, right-click a clip in Premiere → "Reveal in Bridge".
⚠ "Windows protected your PC" popup
Fix: This is Windows SmartScreen. Click "More info" then "Run anyway". This is normal for new software from independent developers. One-time step.
⚠ "'python' is not recognized"
Fix: Python isn't on your PATH. Re-run the Python installer from python.org, choose Modify, and check "Add python.exe to PATH". Restart your PC, then try METANAS again.
⚠ Terminal closes immediately on launch
Fix: Python may not be installed or isn't in PATH. Open Command Prompt and type python --version. If you get an error, install Python (Step 2) and make sure "Add to PATH" is checked.
⚠ Pip install errors during first launch
Fix: Make sure you have a stable internet connection. If behind a corporate firewall or VPN, try disconnecting temporarily. If it keeps failing, open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: pip install -r requirements.txt from the METANAS folder.
Still stuck?
Email hello@assortcreative.com with a description of the issue — include what you see on screen and what step you're on. We respond within 24 hours.