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POST
/
api
/
v1
/
projects
/
{projectId}
/
export
Start Export
curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.example.com/api/v1/projects/{projectId}/export \
  --header 'Authorization: <authorization>'
{
  "status": "<string>",
  "message": "<string>",
  "estimated_time": "<string>",
  "CONFLICT": {},
  "NOT_FOUND": {},
  "VALIDATION_ERROR": {}
}

​
Overview

Starts the export process for a complete video project. All chapters are rendered and combined into a single video file. The export typically takes 2-5 minutes depending on project complexity.
Ensure all chapter prompts have completed processing before exporting. The export will only include completed chapters.

​
Request

​
Path Parameters

​
projectId
string
required
The project ID to export

​
Headers

​
Authorization
string
required
Bearer token with your API key

​
Response

​
status
string
Export status: queued, processing, completed, or failed
​
message
string
Human-readable status message
​
estimated_time
string
Estimated completion time (e.g., “2-5 minutes”)

​
Examples

curl -X POST https://api.babou.ai/api/v1/projects/prj_abc123xyz/export \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $BABOU_API_KEY"

​
Response Example

{
  "status": "queued",
  "message": "Export started",
  "estimated_time": "2-5 minutes"
}

​
Error Responses

​
CONFLICT
409
Export already in progress for this project
{
  "error": "An export is already in progress for this project",
  "code": "CONFLICT",
  "hint": "Wait for the current export to complete or check its status"
}
​
NOT_FOUND
404
Project not found
{
  "error": "Project not found",
  "code": "NOT_FOUND"
}
​
VALIDATION_ERROR
400
Project has no completed chapters to export
{
  "error": "Project has no completed chapters",
  "code": "VALIDATION_ERROR",
  "hint": "Add chapters and submit prompts before exporting"
}

​
Best Practices

Check that all chapters have completed processing:
async function ensureChaptersReady(projectId: string) {
  const { chapters } = await listChapters(projectId);

  if (chapters.length === 0) {
    throw new Error('Project has no chapters');
  }

  for (const chapter of chapters) {
    const fullChapter = await getChapter(projectId, chapter.id);
    const latestPrompt = fullChapter.prompts?.[fullChapter.prompts.length - 1];

    if (!latestPrompt || latestPrompt.status !== 'completed') {
      throw new Error(`Chapter "${chapter.name}" is not ready for export`);
    }
  }

  return true;
}

// Use before exporting
await ensureChaptersReady('prj_abc123xyz');
await startExport('prj_abc123xyz');
If an export is already in progress, wait for it to complete:
async function startExportSafe(projectId: string) {
  try {
    return await startExport(projectId);
  } catch (error: any) {
    if (error.message.includes('already in progress')) {
      console.log('Export already running, checking status...');
      return await getExportStatus(projectId);
    }
    throw error;
  }
}
After starting an export, poll the status endpoint:
import time

def wait_for_export(project_id, max_wait=600):
    """Wait up to 10 minutes for export to complete"""
    start_export(project_id)

    start_time = time.time()
    while time.time() - start_time < max_wait:
        status = get_export_status(project_id)

        if status['status'] == 'completed':
            print(f'✓ Export complete: {status["download_url"]}')
            return status

        if status['status'] == 'failed':
            raise Exception('Export failed')

        print(f'Still processing... ({status["status"]})')
        time.sleep(10)  # Check every 10 seconds

    raise Exception('Export timeout')

​
Next Steps

Get Export Status

Check export progress and get download URL

List Chapters

View chapters included in the export