User Guide

How to use GrabBroll

Turn any script into a full B-roll reel. Bring your own free API keys, paste a script or type a keyword, and download royalty free footage and photos in seconds.

Quick start

Get your free API keys

GrabBroll uses your own keys so it stays free and private. Grab free keys from Pexels and Pixabay (optionally Storyblocks and an AI key). Full links are further down this guide.

Add your keys

Click "Add your keys" on the tool, paste them in, and hit Save. Your keys are stored only in your browser and never touch a server.

Search & download

Paste a script or type a keyword, hit Find B-roll, then preview, favorite and download clips, every one royalty free.

The two modes

Script mode

Paste your whole script

Drop in your full video script, or upload a .txt or .docx file. AI breaks it into scenes and finds matching footage for every line, a complete B-roll reel scene by scene. You can edit any scene and rerun just that one.

Keyword mode

Search a single term

Just want clips for one idea? Switch to Keyword mode, type a word, and browse results with Load more. Great for quick grabs and overlays.

Videos and Images

Use the Type: Videos or Images toggle to switch between video footage and photos. Same keys, same sources (Pexels, Pixabay, Storyblocks). Perfect for B-roll clips and still images for thumbnails or overlays. Your current search reruns automatically when you switch.

Every feature

Preview playerClick any clip to open it big in a player. Play, pick quality, download.

FavoritesStar clips, then download all, copy links, or export a txt or csv list.

Per scene rerunNot happy with a scene? Edit its query and refresh just that scene.

Format and filtersPick 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1, filter by length, and choose results per source.

Quality and sizeEvery clip lets you pick the resolution or image size before download.

Dark modeTap the moon in the header. Your choice is remembered.

Recent and autosaveRecent searches come back with one click, and your script is saved.

Multi key rotationPaste several keys separated by commas to spread out rate limits.

Getting your API keys

PexelsFree

Free key for videos and photos. Any free or paid key works. Get one at pexels.com/api.

PixabayFree

Free key for videos and photos. Get one at pixabay.com/api/docs.

StoryblocksLicensed

Needs a public and private key (free trial or paid partner). It runs through a secure server signer, so your secret is only used to sign requests and is never stored.

AI key (Script mode only)Paid

Only needed to split scripts into scenes. Use Anthropic or OpenAI (free credits or a paid key). Keyword mode needs no AI key.

Tips

Monetization safe. Pexels and Pixabay clips are CC0, free to use on monetized YouTube. Storyblocks clips are licensed, so follow your plan terms.
Rate limits. If a source says rate limit, add a second key (comma separated) or wait a minute.
Big files. 4K clips are large, so if a download opens in a new tab, just save it from there.
Attribution. Not required for Pexels or Pixabay, but crediting creators is always appreciated.

FAQ

Where are my keys stored?+

Only in your browser (local storage). They never touch our server and no one else can see them. Storyblocks is the one exception, since its private key is sent once, only to sign the request, and is never stored.

Do I need all the keys?+

No. A single Pexels key is enough to start. The AI key is only needed for Script mode (splitting a script into scenes). Storyblocks is optional.

Is GrabBroll free?+

Yes, the tool is free. You just bring your own free API keys, which keeps it fast and privacy first.

Can I get photos too, not just videos?+

Yes. Use the Type: Videos or Images toggle to search photos from the same sources.

Why did a scene return no clips?+

The auto generated search may be too specific. Edit that scene query at the top right of the scene, then hit the refresh button to search again.

Open the tool