@vibeframe/cli 0.113.28 → 0.113.30

package/dist/index.js

@@ -6557,6 +6557,19 @@ function notFoundError(path2) {
 function generalError(msg, suggestion) {
   return { success: false, error: msg, code: "ERROR", exitCode: 1 /* GENERAL */, suggestion, retryable: false };
 }
+function costCapError(opts) {
+  return {
+    success: false,
+    error: `Estimated cost $${opts.estimatedCostUsd.toFixed(2)} exceeds --max-cost $${opts.maxCostUsd.toFixed(2)}.`,
+    code: "COST_CAP_EXCEEDED",
+    exitCode: 1 /* GENERAL */,
+    suggestion: "Raise --max-cost or reduce the stage/provider scope.",
+    retryWith: opts.retryWith,
+    recoverable: true,
+    retryable: false,
+    data: opts.data
+  };
+}
 function exitWithError(err) {
   if (isJsonMode()) {
     console.error(JSON.stringify({
@@ -6571,6 +6584,9 @@ function exitWithError(err) {
     if (err.suggestion) {
       console.error(source_default.dim(`  ${err.suggestion}`));
     }
+    if (err.retryWith && err.retryWith.length > 0) {
+      console.error(source_default.dim(`  Retry: ${err.retryWith[0]}`));
+    }
     console.error();
   }
   process.exit(err.exitCode);
@@ -26882,12 +26898,12 @@ colors:
 ---
 
 `;
-  const intro = style ? `Visual identity for **${name}**, scaffolded from the **${style.name}** style (after ${style.designer}). Customise freely \u2014 this file is the single source of truth for every scene's palette, typography, and motion.` : `Visual identity for **${name}**. Fill the sections below before authoring any scene HTML or generating any backdrop. Pick a named style with \`vibe scene list-styles\` if you want a credible starting point.`;
-  const moodLine = style ? `**Mood:** ${style.mood} \xB7 **Best for:** ${style.bestFor}` : `**Mood:** _(one line \u2014 what should the viewer FEEL?)_`;
+  const intro = style ? `Visual identity for **${name}**, scaffolded from the **${style.name}** style (after ${style.designer}). Customise freely - this file is the single source of truth for every scene's palette, typography, and motion.` : `Visual identity for **${name}**. Fill the sections below before authoring any scene HTML or generating any backdrop. Pick a named style with \`vibe scene list-styles\` if you want a credible starting point.`;
+  const moodLine = style ? `**Mood:** ${style.mood} \xB7 **Best for:** ${style.bestFor}` : `**Mood:** _(one line - what should the viewer FEEL?)_`;
   const palette = style ? `${style.palette.map((c) => `- \`${c}\``).join("\n")}
 
-${style.paletteNotes}` : `- _hex_ \u2014 primary
-- _hex_ \u2014 accent
+${style.paletteNotes}` : `- _hex_ - primary
+- _hex_ - accent
 
 _2\u20133 colours max. Declare explicit hex values; never name colours abstractly._`;
   const typography = style ? style.typography : `_One family, two weights. State the role of each (headline / label / body)._`;
@@ -26901,7 +26917,7 @@ _2\u20133 colours max. Declare explicit hex values; never name colours abstractl
   const avoid = style ? style.avoid.map((a) => `- ${a}`).join("\n") : `- _anti-pattern 1_
 - _anti-pattern 2_
 - _anti-pattern 3_`;
-  return `${frontmatter}# ${name} \u2014 Design
+  return `${frontmatter}# ${name} - Design
 
 > **Hard-gate (BUILD flow only).** This file is the visual contract for
 > the scene-project flow (\`vibe build\`, \`vibe scene ...\`, composition
@@ -26945,12 +26961,12 @@ ${avoid}
 ---
 
 _Browse other named styles: \`vibe scene list-styles\`_
-${style ? `_This file was seeded by \`vibe scene init --visual-style "${style.name}"\`._` : `_Seed this file from a named style: \`vibe scene init <dir> --visual-style "<name>"\`._`}
+${style ? `_This file was seeded by \`vibe init --visual-style "${style.name}"\`._` : `_Seed this file from a named style: \`vibe init <dir> --visual-style "<name>"\`._`}
 `;
 }
 function buildScriptMd(name, kind = DEFAULT_SCENE_KIND) {
-  const intent = kind === "product" ? "Product walkthrough \u2014 what each section demonstrates, in order." : kind === "motion" ? "Motion piece \u2014 the message and the beats of on-screen text/graphics." : kind === "aivideo" ? "AI-video script \u2014 the spoken/voiced narrative the generated shots illustrate." : "Narrative script \u2014 scene-by-scene story, dialogue, and voiceover.";
-  return `# ${name} \u2014 Script
+  const intent = kind === "product" ? "Product walkthrough - what each section demonstrates, in order." : kind === "motion" ? "Motion piece - the message and the beats of on-screen text/graphics." : kind === "aivideo" ? "AI-video script - the spoken/voiced narrative the generated shots illustrate." : "Narrative script - scene-by-scene story, dialogue, and voiceover.";
+  return `# ${name} - Script
 
 > **Authoring order:** SCRIPT.md (this file) \u2192 STORYBOARD.md (beats + cues)${kindHasCast(kind) ? " \u2192 CHARACTERS.md (cast bible)" : ""}.
 > ${intent}
@@ -26978,7 +26994,7 @@ Voiceover / on-screen: \u2026
 `;
 }
 function buildCharactersMd(name) {
-  return `# ${name} \u2014 Characters
+  return `# ${name} - Characters
 
 > Each character is referenced from STORYBOARD beats via the \`characters:\` cue.
 > The reference sheet + identity block keep keyframes and image-to-video on-model
@@ -26987,8 +27003,8 @@ function buildCharactersMd(name) {
 ## hero
 
 - **Reference sheet:** \`assets/characters/hero.png\` (a clean, front-lit full-body
-  or portrait sheet \u2014 the identity anchor for keyframe edits).
-- **Identity:** one paragraph of fixed, on-model traits \u2014 age, build, hair,
+  or portrait sheet - the identity anchor for keyframe edits).
+- **Identity:** one paragraph of fixed, on-model traits - age, build, hair,
   wardrobe, palette. Keep this stable across every beat.
 - **Range:** expressions / poses this character should hit.
 
@@ -27006,14 +27022,14 @@ tts: auto
 imageProvider: openai
 ---
 
-# ${name} \u2014 Storyboard
+# ${name} - Storyboard
 
 Edit these beats before running \`vibe build\`. Each beat starts with
 YAML cues that drive narration, backdrop generation, and timing.
 Pacing: keep beats 6-15 seconds (split longer ones); a 90s video should
 have 6-8 beats, not 3 long ones.
 
-## Beat hook \u2014 Hook
+## Beat hook - Hook
 
 \`\`\`yaml
 narration: "Introduce the promise in one crisp sentence."
@@ -27024,7 +27040,7 @@ duration: 4
 Show the core visual identity immediately. Keep copy short enough for one
 screen and one spoken breath.
 
-## Beat proof \u2014 Proof
+## Beat proof - Proof
 
 \`\`\`yaml
 narration: "Show the mechanism or proof point that makes the promise believable."
@@ -27035,7 +27051,7 @@ duration: 4
 Use this beat for the concrete differentiator: command, workflow, metric, or
 before/after.
 
-## Beat close \u2014 Close
+## Beat close - Close
 
 \`\`\`yaml
 narration: "Close with the action the viewer should remember."
@@ -27048,7 +27064,7 @@ final beat.
 `;
 }
 function buildProjectAgentsMd(name) {
-  return `# ${name} \u2014 Scene Authoring Project
+  return `# ${name} - Scene Authoring Project
 
 This is the canonical cross-agent guidance file for this scene project.
 Claude Code imports it through \`CLAUDE.md\`; Codex, Cursor, Aider,
@@ -27087,10 +27103,10 @@ contradict DESIGN.md are rejected by the Hyperframes \`hyperframes\`
 skill.
 
 Single-asset requests (\`vibe generate image|video|speech|...\`) do NOT
-consult this file \u2014 run the generate command directly.
+consult this file - run the generate command directly.
 
 Browse named styles: \`vibe scene list-styles\`. Re-seed from one with
-\`vibe scene init . --visual-style "Swiss Pulse"\` (idempotent).
+\`vibe init . --visual-style "Swiss Pulse"\` (idempotent).
 
 ## Brief and local media
 
@@ -27102,8 +27118,9 @@ after init, those two files are the working source of truth.
 Use \`media/\` for user-provided source files: product photos, screenshots,
 logos, B-roll, recorded narration, or reference clips. Keep those inputs
 inside this project so build references stay project-relative. Do not put user
-media in \`references/\`; that directory is reserved for local composition
-rules installed by VibeFrame.
+media in \`references/\`; older VibeFrame versions vendored composition rules
+there, and current installs keep the rules under \`.agents/skills/hyperframes/\`
+via \`vibe scene install-skill\`.
 
 When a beat should reuse a local file, reference it from \`STORYBOARD.md\`
 with a project-relative path:
@@ -27159,7 +27176,7 @@ project-level agent loop; it provides \`--json\` commands, dry runs, cost caps,
 \`requiresConfirmation\`, \`fixOwner\`, deterministic repair, and render
 inspection for the host agent to reason over.
 
-Copy-paste agent prompts \u2014 plain prompts, not a built-in command:
+Copy-paste agent prompts - plain prompts, not a built-in command:
 
 \`\`\`text
 Build this VibeFrame project into renders/final.mp4. Use --json for every
@@ -27187,9 +27204,9 @@ target duration/aspect ratio, clean render inspection, any AI review score >= 90
 no unresolved unacknowledged host-agent issues.
 \`\`\`
 
-## Skills \u2014 USE THESE FIRST
+## Skills - USE THESE FIRST
 
-**Load the \`hyperframes\` skill before authoring scenes** \u2014 it encodes the
+**Load the \`hyperframes\` skill before authoring scenes** - it encodes the
 composition rules, motion principles, type system, and visual-identity gate.
 If your agent has it installed globally it is already available; otherwise run
 \`vibe scene install-skill\`, which runs upstream's installer and writes
@@ -27201,7 +27218,7 @@ semantics, VibeFrame pipeline conventions) that are NOT in generic web docs.
 
 | Skill             | Command          | When to use                                                                           |
 | ----------------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| **hyperframes**   | \`/hyperframes\`   | Cinematic-quality composition \u2014 DESIGN.md hard-gate, named styles, motion principles  |
+| **hyperframes**   | \`/hyperframes\`   | Cinematic-quality composition - DESIGN.md hard-gate, named styles, motion principles  |
 | **vibe-scene**    | \`/vibe-scene\`    | VibeFrame's authoring loop, AI assets, lint feedback, pipeline integration            |
 | **gsap**          | \`/gsap\`          | GSAP tweens, timelines, easing                                                        |
 
@@ -27212,22 +27229,22 @@ npx skills add heygen-com/hyperframes
 \`\`\`
 
 Restart your agent session (or reload the skill list) after installing.
-If skills aren't available, follow the **Key Rules** below \u2014 they cover
+If skills aren't available, follow the **Key Rules** below - they cover
 the framework-level minimum, not the cinematic craft layer.
 
 ## Project structure
 
-- \`DESIGN.md\` \u2014 visual identity contract (palette, type, motion, transitions)
-- \`STORYBOARD.md\` \u2014 per-beat narration/backdrop/duration cues for \`vibe build\`
-- \`media/\` \u2014 user-provided source files (photos, logos, clips, voice recordings)
-- \`index.html\` \u2014 root composition (timeline)
-- \`compositions/scene-*.html\` \u2014 per-scene HTML authored by you or the agent
-- \`assets/\` \u2014 generated/canonical build media (narration audio, images, video)
-- \`.agents/skills/hyperframes/\` \u2014 upstream composition rules, when installed here rather than globally
-- \`transcript.json\` \u2014 Whisper word-level transcript (if narration exists)
-- \`hyperframes.json\` \u2014 HF registry config (speak to both toolchains)
-- \`vibe.config.json\` \u2014 canonical VibeFrame config (providers, budget)
-- \`renders/\` \u2014 output MP4s
+- \`DESIGN.md\` - visual identity contract (palette, type, motion, transitions)
+- \`STORYBOARD.md\` - per-beat narration/backdrop/duration cues for \`vibe build\`
+- \`media/\` - user-provided source files (photos, logos, clips, voice recordings)
+- \`index.html\` - root composition (timeline)
+- \`compositions/scene-*.html\` - per-scene HTML authored by you or the agent
+- \`assets/\` - generated/canonical build media (narration audio, images, video)
+- \`.agents/skills/hyperframes/\` - upstream composition rules, when installed here rather than globally
+- \`transcript.json\` - Whisper word-level transcript (if narration exists)
+- \`hyperframes.json\` - HF registry config (speak to both toolchains)
+- \`vibe.config.json\` - canonical VibeFrame config (providers, budget)
+- \`renders/\` - output MP4s
 
 ## Commands
 
@@ -27237,16 +27254,28 @@ vibe build                                                 # STORYBOARD.md \u219
 vibe scene lint                                             # Validate scenes (in-process HF linter)
 vibe render                                                 # Render to MP4
 
-# Hyperframes CLI (if installed \u2014 works in this project too)
+# Hyperframes CLI (if installed - works in this project too)
 npx hyperframes preview
 npx hyperframes render
 \`\`\`
 
 ## Key Rules (for hand-authored scene HTML)
 
+0. A scene file is a \`<template id="scene-<id>-template">\` wrapping ONE
+   composition div - not a standalone \`<!doctype html>\` document:
+   \`\`\`html
+   <template id="scene-hook-template">
+     <div data-composition-id="scene-hook" data-start="0" data-duration="3.3"
+          data-width="1920" data-height="1080">\u2026</div>
+   </template>
+   \`\`\`
+   The composition div **MUST** carry \`data-width\` and \`data-height\`.
 1. Every timed element needs \`data-start\`, \`data-duration\`, and \`data-track-index\`.
-2. Elements with timing **MUST** have \`class="clip"\` \u2014 the framework uses this for visibility control.
-3. Timelines must be paused and registered on \`window.__timelines\`:
+2. Elements with timing **MUST** have \`class="clip"\` - the framework uses this for visibility control.
+3. Timelines must be paused and registered on \`window.__timelines\`, which is an
+   OBJECT keyed by composition id - not an array, and \`.push()\` leaves the
+   timeline undiscovered, which renders a black frame because \`gsap.from\` holds
+   elements at their start state:
    \`\`\`js
    window.__timelines = window.__timelines || {};
    window.__timelines["composition-id"] = gsap.timeline({ paused: true });
@@ -27257,12 +27286,12 @@ npx hyperframes render
    \`filter\` tweens to \`.scene-content\` or any ancestor containing live text.
    Animate background/media layers instead; text/cards should enter briefly and
    then hold still at their final CSS positions.
-7. Only deterministic logic \u2014 no \`Date.now()\`, \`Math.random()\`, or network fetches.
+7. Only deterministic logic - no \`Date.now()\`, \`Math.random()\`, or network fetches.
 
-## Linting \u2014 run after changes
+## Linting - run after changes
 
 \`\`\`bash
-vibe scene lint           # preferred \u2014 in-process, no network
+vibe scene lint           # preferred - in-process, no network
 vibe scene lint --fix     # auto-fix mechanical issues
 vibe scene lint --json    # structured output for agent loops
 \`\`\`
@@ -27271,7 +27300,7 @@ vibe scene lint --json    # structured output for agent loops
 function buildProjectClaudeMd(name) {
   return `@AGENTS.md
 
-# ${name} \u2014 Claude Code Overrides
+# ${name} - Claude Code Overrides
 
 This file imports \`AGENTS.md\`; keep cross-agent VibeFrame and
 Hyperframes instructions there so Codex, Cursor, Aider, Gemini CLI, and
@@ -27280,7 +27309,7 @@ only when this project needs them.
 `;
 }
 function buildSceneGitignore() {
-  return `# VibeFrame \u2014 caches, checkpoints, and project-scope config.yaml (may contain API keys)
+  return `# VibeFrame - caches, checkpoints, and project-scope config.yaml (may contain API keys)
 .vibeframe/
 
 # Render outputs
@@ -28110,7 +28139,7 @@ function insertClipIntoRoot(rootHtml, clip) {
   const closeMatch = rootHtml.match(/\n(\s*)<\/div>(\s*\n\s*<script>)/);
   if (!closeMatch) {
     throw new Error(
-      "Could not find root composition closing </div>. Ensure index.html follows the layout from `vibe scene init`."
+      "Could not find root composition closing </div>. Ensure index.html follows the layout from `vibe init`."
     );
   }
   const closeIdx = closeMatch.index;
@@ -29392,10 +29421,10 @@ async function getComposePrompts(opts) {
     error: msg
   });
   if (!existsSync6(designPath)) {
-    return baseError(`DESIGN.md not found at ${designPath}. Run \`vibe scene init <dir>\` first.`);
+    return baseError(`DESIGN.md not found at ${designPath}. Run \`vibe init <dir>\` first.`);
   }
   if (!existsSync6(storyboardPath2)) {
-    return baseError(`STORYBOARD.md not found at ${storyboardPath2}. Run \`vibe scene init <dir>\` to create a starter, or add STORYBOARD.md with per-beat cues.`);
+    return baseError(`STORYBOARD.md not found at ${storyboardPath2}. Run \`vibe init <dir>\` to create a starter, or add STORYBOARD.md with per-beat cues.`);
   }
   if (!hyperframesSkillAvailable(projectDir)) {
     warnings.push(
@@ -29475,7 +29504,9 @@ function buildInstructions(args) {
   if (args.skillRef) {
     lines.push(`1. Read \`${args.skillRef}\` for the Hyperframes framework rules + house style. This is the visual-identity hard-gate.`);
   } else {
-    lines.push(`1. Run \`vibe scene install-skill\` to install the Hyperframes composition rules, then read them.`);
+    lines.push(
+      `1. Read this project's \`AGENTS.md\` section "Key Rules (for hand-authored scene HTML)" - written by \`vibe init\`, and the authoritative local contract. \`vibe scene install-skill\` adds Hyperframes' house style on top, but note it installs a ROUTER whose full contract sits behind \`/hyperframes-core\`, which resolves only in a host that has upstream's Hyperframes skills.`
+    );
   }
   lines.push(`2. Read \`DESIGN.md\` for project-specific palette, typography, motion signature.`);
   if (args.compositionRef) {
@@ -29485,6 +29516,7 @@ function buildInstructions(args) {
   lines.push(`3b. Use each beat's \`finalDurationSec\` (narration-synced) for \`data-duration\` and timeline anchors when present \u2014 NOT the storyboard \`duration\`, which is only the minimum. Scenes composed at the storyboard duration end early and render black tails.`);
   lines.push(`3c. Never give inner \`.clip\` elements a non-zero \`data-start\` \u2014 the renderer does not toggle internal clip visibility inside sub-compositions, so phased clips render all phases at once (overlapping text). Use full-window clips and GSAP autoAlpha phase transitions instead. Also keep beats 6-15s; split anything longer in the storyboard first.`);
   lines.push(`3d. If your environment cannot write files (e.g. Claude Desktop / MCP-only hosts), author each beat's HTML and submit it with the \`scene_submit\` tool (beat id + html). It validates with the same Hyperframes lint and writes the file for you; on lint errors it returns the findings without writing \u2014 fix and resubmit.`);
+  lines.push(`3e. Hard requirements the linter fails on, so satisfy them even without the full contract. A scene file is a \`<template id="scene-<id>-template">\` wrapping ONE \`<div data-composition-id="scene-<id>" data-start="0" data-duration="<sec>" data-width="1920" data-height="1080">\` \u2014 not a standalone \`<!doctype html>\` document. Register the paused GSAP timeline on the registry OBJECT keyed by composition id: \`window.__timelines = window.__timelines || {}; window.__timelines["scene-<id>"] = tl;\` \u2014 it is not an array, and \`.push()\` leaves the timeline undiscovered, which renders a black frame because \`gsap.from\` holds elements at their start state. Also put \`class="clip"\` on every timed element and give timeline-visible elements a stable \`id\`. Generate a reference scene with \`vibe scene add <id> --style <preset> --no-audio --no-image\` and match its shape.`);
   if (args.beatCount > 1) {
     lines.push(`4. After authoring all ${args.beatCount} beat(s), run \`vibe build <project> --stage sync --json\` to assemble the root composition (index.html) from the fragments. Lint needs that root, so sync comes first.`);
   } else if (args.filtered) {
@@ -30770,7 +30802,9 @@ async function executeSceneAdd(opts) {
     error
   });
   if (!await pathExists2(rootPath)) {
-    return errResult(`Root composition not found: ${rootPath}. Run \`vibe scene init\` first.`);
+    return errResult(
+      `Root composition not found: ${rootPath}. Run \`vibe build\` once to create the render scaffold, or scaffold it up front with \`vibe init <dir> --profile full\`.`
+    );
   }
   if (!opts.force && await pathExists2(scenePath)) {
     return errResult(`Scene already exists: ${sceneRel}. Re-run with --force to overwrite.`);
@@ -31312,7 +31346,7 @@ Run 'vibe schema scene.<command>' for structured parameter info.`
         console.log(source_default.dim("Show details: "), source_default.cyan('vibe scene list-styles "<name>"'));
         console.log(
           source_default.dim("Seed DESIGN.md:"),
-          source_default.cyan('vibe scene init <dir> --visual-style "<name>"')
+          source_default.cyan('vibe init <dir> --visual-style "<name>"')
         );
         return;
       }
@@ -31347,7 +31381,7 @@ Run 'vibe schema scene.<command>' for structured parameter info.`
       console.log();
       console.log(
         source_default.dim("Seed DESIGN.md:"),
-        source_default.cyan(`vibe scene init <dir> --visual-style "${style.name}"`)
+        source_default.cyan(`vibe init <dir> --visual-style "${style.name}"`)
       );
     });
     sceneCommand.command("add").description("Add a new scene to a project: AI narration + image + per-scene HTML").argument("<name>", "Scene name (slugified into the composition id)").option("--style <preset>", `Style preset: ${SCENE_PRESETS.join(", ")}`, "simple").option(
@@ -57541,13 +57575,15 @@ var init_walkthroughs = __esm({
     SCENE_WALKTHROUGH = `# Scene authoring with vibe
 
 A scene project is a directory that is **bilingual**: it works with both
-\`vibe\` and \`npx hyperframes\`. Each scene is one HTML file with scoped CSS
-and a paused GSAP timeline. Cheap to edit, cheap to lint, expensive only
+\`vibe\` and \`npx hyperframes\`. Scene composition is Hyperframes' job:
+each scene is one HTML file with scoped CSS and a paused GSAP timeline,
+authored to upstream's composition rules (install them with
+\`vibe scene install-skill\`). Cheap to edit, cheap to lint, expensive only
 at render.
 
-\`vibe build\` (v0.60+) is the supported one-shot driver from a
-written storyboard to an MP4. Plan H (v0.70) added \`--mode agent\` so the
-host agent itself authors the per-beat HTML \u2014 no internal LLM call.
+\`vibe build\` is the supported one-shot driver from a written storyboard
+to an MP4. The host agent authors the per-beat HTML - the CLI makes no
+internal LLM call.
 
 ## Three authoring paths
 
@@ -57562,20 +57598,20 @@ narration / backdrop intent.
 
 ## High-craft path
 
-1. \`vibe init my-promo --visual-style "Swiss Pulse"\` \u2014 seeds
+1. \`vibe init my-promo --visual-style "Swiss Pulse"\` - seeds
    \`DESIGN.md\` (palette, typography, motion, transitions) plus the
    \`vibe.config.json\` / \`hyperframes.json\` / \`index.html\` scaffold.
    It does **not** install the composition rules; if your agent does not
    already have the \`hyperframes\` skill, run
    \`vibe scene install-skill\` to fetch them from upstream into
    \`.agents/skills/hyperframes/\`.
-2. Read \`.agents/skills/hyperframes/SKILL.md\` (or your global copy) \u2014
+2. Read \`.agents/skills/hyperframes/SKILL.md\` (or your global copy) -
    framework rules, motion principles, type system, transition recipes.
-3. Read \`DESIGN.md\` \u2014 project-specific palette / typography / motion
+3. Read \`DESIGN.md\` - project-specific palette / typography / motion
    signature (visual identity hard-gate).
 4. Author each scene HTML directly under \`compositions/scene-<id>.html\`
    using the rules from steps 2 and 3. The skill enforces the visual
-   identity contract \u2014 scenes that contradict DESIGN.md fail lint.
+   identity contract - scenes that contradict DESIGN.md fail lint.
 5. \`vibe scene lint --fix\` for mechanical issues, \`vibe render my-promo\`
    to MP4.
 
@@ -57589,16 +57625,16 @@ vibe scene lint
 vibe render my-promo
 \`\`\`
 
-\`vibe init\` is **idempotent** \u2014 running it on an existing Hyperframes
+\`vibe init\` is **idempotent** - running it on an existing Hyperframes
 directory merges \`hyperframes.json\` instead of clobbering it. Safe to
 invoke on user-provided projects.
 
 ## Subcommands
 
 \`\`\`bash
-# Project flow (top-level \u2014 preferred entry points)
+# Project flow (top-level - preferred entry points)
 vibe init <dir> [-r 16:9|9:16|1:1|4:5] [-d <sec>] [--visual-style "<name>"]
-vibe build [<dir>] [--mode agent|batch|auto]         # H3 dispatch
+vibe build [<dir>] [--composer template]          # agent authors scenes by default
 vibe render [<dir>] [--fps 30] [--quality standard] [--format mp4]
 
 # Lower-level scene authoring
@@ -57611,11 +57647,11 @@ vibe scene lint [<root>] [--json] [--fix]
 
 ## Style presets (for \`vibe scene add --style\`)
 
-- **simple** \u2014 backdrop + bottom caption (default)
-- **announcement** \u2014 single huge headline, gradient text
-- **explainer** \u2014 kicker + title + subtitle stack
-- **kinetic-type** \u2014 words animate in word-by-word
-- **product-shot** \u2014 corner label + bottom headline + slow zoom
+- **simple** - backdrop + bottom caption (default)
+- **announcement** - single huge headline, gradient text
+- **explainer** - kicker + title + subtitle stack
+- **kinetic-type** - words animate in word-by-word
+- **product-shot** - corner label + bottom headline + slow zoom
 
 All presets accept \`--narration <text|file>\`, \`--visuals <prompt>\`,
 \`--headline\`, \`--kicker\`. With \`--narration\`, scene duration auto-derives
@@ -57625,21 +57661,19 @@ from the generated TTS audio.
 
 \`\`\`bash
 vibe init my-promo --visual-style "Swiss Pulse" -d 12
-# (edit STORYBOARD.md with per-beat YAML cues \u2014 narration, backdrop, duration)
+# (edit STORYBOARD.md with per-beat YAML cues - narration, backdrop, duration)
 vibe build my-promo
 \`\`\`
 
 \`vibe build\` reads the STORYBOARD frontmatter + per-beat cues,
 dispatches TTS + image-gen per beat, then either:
 
-- **\`--mode agent\`** (default when an agent host is detected) \u2014 emits a
-  \`needs-author\` plan via \`vibe scene compose-prompts\`. The host agent
-  authors each \`compositions/scene-<id>.html\` itself, then re-invoking
-  \`vibe build\` proceeds to lint + render.
-- **\`--mode batch\`** \u2014 VibeFrame runs an internal LLM (Claude / OpenAI /
-  Gemini) to compose the HTML, then renders.
-
-\`VIBE_BUILD_MODE\` env var overrides the auto-resolve.
+- **Agent authoring** (default) - emits a \`needs-author\` plan via
+  \`vibe scene compose-prompts\`. The host agent authors each
+  \`compositions/scene-<id>.html\` itself, then re-invoking \`vibe build\`
+  proceeds to lint + render. The CLI makes no internal LLM call.
+- **\`--composer template\`** - the deterministic no-model composer
+  (concat background + lower-thirds), for when no agent is available.
 
 ## Lint feedback loop
 
@@ -57649,7 +57683,7 @@ vibe scene lint --json --fix
 
 Returns structured findings. The recommended loop: 1) run lint with
 \`--fix\` (mechanical fixes applied), 2) if \`errorCount > 0\`, edit the
-scene HTML, 3) re-lint. Cap retries at 3 \u2014 if errors persist, fall back
+scene HTML, 3) re-lint. Cap retries at 3 - if errors persist, fall back
 to a template preset (\`vibe scene add <id> --style simple --force\`)
 and surface the error to the user.
 
@@ -57725,9 +57759,9 @@ The full set lives in \`packages/cli/src/pipeline/executor.ts\`.
 
 ## Variable references
 
-- \`$<step-id>.output\` \u2014 previous step's output path
-- \`$<step-id>.result.<field>\` \u2014 structured field from JSON result
-- \`\${ENV_VAR}\` \u2014 environment variable
+- \`$<step-id>.output\` - previous step's output path
+- \`$<step-id>.result.<field>\` - structured field from JSON result
+- \`\${ENV_VAR}\` - environment variable
 - Values can be templated: \`"\${SCRIPT_TITLE} - Episode \${EPISODE}"\`
 
 ## Running
@@ -57744,12 +57778,12 @@ Checkpoints land next to the YAML: \`pipeline.yaml.checkpoint.json\`.
 
 ## Authoring tips
 
-1. **Start from a tiny YAML** \u2014 keep it in your project directory and run
+1. **Start from a tiny YAML** - keep it in your project directory and run
    \`vibe run pipeline.yaml --dry-run\` before spending provider budget.
-2. **Dry-run first** \u2014 you see estimated cost and resolved variable
+2. **Dry-run first** - you see estimated cost and resolved variable
    graph before spending API credits.
 3. **Keep step ids short and descriptive** (\`intro\`, \`scene1\`, \`voice\`,
-   \`bgm\`) \u2014 they appear in logs and variable refs.
+   \`bgm\`) - they appear in logs and variable refs.
 4. **Name outputs** with extensions matching the action (\`.mp4\`, \`.mp3\`,
    \`.png\`, \`.json\`).
 5. **Declare \`budget:\`** on expensive pipelines:
@@ -57773,9 +57807,9 @@ When the user has a working shell sequence, extract steps:
 - Wrap the entire chain in a \`name:\` + \`steps:\` skeleton
 
 The \`compose\` action is the catch-all assembly step (audio mux, video
-overlay, etc.) \u2014 useful at the tail of a pipeline.
+overlay, etc.) - useful at the tail of a pipeline.
 `;
-    ARCHITECTURE_WALKTHROUGH = `# vibe agent / build / run \u2014 when to pick which
+    ARCHITECTURE_WALKTHROUGH = `# vibe agent / build / run - when to pick which
 
 The CLI has three orchestrating commands that coordinate other primitives:
 \`vibe agent\`, \`vibe build\`, \`vibe run\`. New users routinely ask which one
@@ -57804,14 +57838,14 @@ built-in fallback when you do not already have an agent host.
 - "I have a finished script + visual identity" \u2192 \`vibe build\`
 - "I want this to run again next month" \u2192 \`vibe run\`
 
-If two seem to fit, pick the rightmost one \u2014 more reproducible, less surprise.
+If two seem to fit, pick the rightmost one - more reproducible, less surprise.
 
 ## Cost-tier awareness (v0.83+)
 
 Every primitive subcommand carries a cost tier (\`free\` / \`low\` / \`high\` /
 \`very-high\`). \`vibe schema --list\` exposes the tier as JSON, and each
 \`vibe <group> <sub> --help\` page shows it as a colored footer. Use
-\`vibe doctor --test-keys\` before kicking off any high-cost orchestrator \u2014
+\`vibe doctor --test-keys\` before kicking off any high-cost orchestrator -
 a single bad key wastes time and money.
 
 ## Cross-command primitives
@@ -57921,7 +57955,7 @@ vibe generate motion "animated product logo reveal" --render -o logo-reveal.mp4
         title: "YAML pipelines (Video as Code)",
         summary: "Author and run reproducible multi-step video workflows",
         steps: [
-          "Sketch the workflow as YAML \u2014 `name`, `description`, then `steps:` with `id` + `action` + inputs/outputs.",
+          "Sketch the workflow as YAML - `name`, `description`, then `steps:` with `id` + `action` + inputs/outputs.",
           "Reference previous step outputs via `$<step-id>.output` (or `$<step-id>.result.<field>` for structured returns).",
           "Run `vibe run pipeline.yaml --dry-run` to see the resolved graph + cost estimate before spending API budget.",
           "Add a `budget:` block (tokens / cost_usd / max_tool_errors) to cap expensive runs.",
@@ -61217,7 +61251,7 @@ async function executeSceneRender(opts = {}) {
       kind: "render",
       beat: opts.beatId ?? null,
       root,
-      error: `Root composition not found: ${resolve66(projectDir, root)}. Run \`vibe scene init\` first.`
+      error: `Root composition not found: ${resolve66(projectDir, root)}. Run \`vibe build ${projectDir}\` once to create the render scaffold, or scaffold it up front with \`vibe init <dir> --profile full\`.`
     };
   }
   const chrome = await preflightChrome();
@@ -61708,7 +61742,7 @@ async function executeSceneBuild(opts) {
       phase: "failed",
       mode,
       selectedStage,
-      error: `STORYBOARD.md not found at ${storyboardPath2}. Run \`vibe scene init <dir>\` to create a starter, or add STORYBOARD.md with per-beat cues.`,
+      error: `STORYBOARD.md not found at ${storyboardPath2}. Run \`vibe init <dir>\` to create a starter, or add STORYBOARD.md with per-beat cues.`,
       beats: [],
       stageReports,
       warnings,
@@ -74248,8 +74282,8 @@ init_source();
 // package.json
 var package_default = {
   name: "@vibeframe/cli",
-  version: "0.113.28",
-  description: "VibeFrame CLI - agentic video workflow runtime",
+  version: "0.113.30",
+  description: "Frontier AI video generation for coding agents - Seedance, Runway, Veo, and Kling on your own keys, behind a hard cost cap",
   private: false,
   license: "MIT",
   repository: {
@@ -74260,13 +74294,21 @@ var package_default = {
   bugs: {
     url: "https://github.com/vericontext/vibeframe/issues"
   },
+  homepage: "https://vibeframe.ai",
   keywords: [
     "vibeframe",
     "cli",
-    "video-editing",
-    "ai",
-    "ffmpeg",
-    "commander"
+    "ai-video",
+    "video-generation",
+    "text-to-video",
+    "image-to-video",
+    "seedance",
+    "runway",
+    "veo",
+    "kling",
+    "ai-agent",
+    "mcp",
+    "ffmpeg"
   ],
   type: "module",
   bin: {
@@ -81597,7 +81639,7 @@ function parseScope(raw) {
   }
   return v;
 }
-var setupCommand = new Command("setup").description("Configure VibeFrame (LLM provider, API keys)").option("--reset", "Reset configuration to defaults").option("--full", "Run full setup with all optional providers").option("--show", "Show current configuration (for debugging)").option(
+var setupCommand = new Command("setup").description("Configure VibeFrame (video/image provider keys, LLM provider)").option("--reset", "Reset configuration to defaults").option("--full", "Run full setup with all optional providers").option("--show", "Show current configuration (for debugging)").option(
   "-v, --verbose",
   "With --show: include unset providers + Resolution order + Defaults block"
 ).option("--claude-code", "Show Claude Code integration guide").option("-y, --yes", "Non-interactive: write config without prompting (CI / devcontainer)").option(
@@ -81617,8 +81659,8 @@ Non-interactive examples (no TTY required):
   vibe setup --scope project --yes --import-env           Project-only setup (./.vibeframe/config.yaml)
 
 Scopes:
-  user    (default) ~/.vibeframe/config.yaml \u2014 shared across every project
-  project ./.vibeframe/config.yaml \u2014 gitignored, isolates keys/defaults to this directory
+  user    (default) ~/.vibeframe/config.yaml - shared across every project
+  project ./.vibeframe/config.yaml - gitignored, isolates keys/defaults to this directory
           When a project config exists at the cwd, it is used and the user file is ignored.
 
 Exit codes (non-interactive):
@@ -81825,7 +81867,7 @@ var AI_FEATURES = [
   {
     label: "Audio",
     desc: "TTS, SFX, music, voice clone",
-    defaultProvider: "ElevenLabs (paid, premium quality) \u2014 falls back to local Kokoro when no key (free, since v0.54)",
+    defaultProvider: "ElevenLabs (paid, premium quality) - falls back to local Kokoro when no key (free, since v0.54)",
     alsoAvailable: "Replicate MusicGen (music only)",
     keyHint: "0-1 key",
     keys: [
@@ -82131,7 +82173,7 @@ async function runSetupWizard(fullSetup = false, scope = "user") {
   const displayPath2 = scope === "user" ? userStatus?.source === "legacy" ? userStatus.configPath : USER_CONFIG_PATH : getConfigPath(scope);
   const cfgPath = displayPath2.replace(homedir6(), "~");
   const scopeNote = scope === "project" ? "applies to this project only \xB7 user config is ignored while this file exists \xB7 add .vibeframe/ to .gitignore" : "applies to every project for this user";
-  console.log(source_default.bold.magenta("VibeFrame Setup") + source_default.bold(` \u2014 ${scope} scope`));
+  console.log(source_default.bold.magenta("VibeFrame Setup") + source_default.bold(` - ${scope} scope`));
   console.log(source_default.dim(`${cfgPath} \xB7 ${scopeNote}`));
   if (userStatus?.source === "legacy") {
     console.log(
@@ -82162,14 +82204,14 @@ async function runSetupWizard(fullSetup = false, scope = "user") {
   console.log(source_default.bold("What would you like to do?"));
   console.log();
   const topLabels = [
+    `Generate AI video ${source_default.dim("(build from a storyboard, remix highlights, auto-shorts)")}`,
+    `AI features ${source_default.dim("(pick what you need - images, videos, audio, editing)")}`,
     `Edit videos offline ${source_default.dim("(silence-cut, fade, noise-reduce, detect)")} ${source_default.green("no API keys")}`,
-    `AI features ${source_default.dim("(pick what you need \u2014 images, videos, audio, editing)")}`,
-    `Full AI pipeline ${source_default.dim("(build, remix highlights, auto-shorts)")}`,
-    `Full provider list ${source_default.dim("(every supported provider, one by one \u2014 same as --full)")}`
+    `Full provider list ${source_default.dim("(every supported provider, one by one - same as --full)")}`
   ];
   const topIndex = await promptSelect(source_default.cyan("  Select [1-4]: "), topLabels, 0);
   console.log();
-  if (topIndex === 0) {
+  if (topIndex === 2) {
     await saveConfig(config2, { scope });
     await completeOrContinue(config2, "vibe edit silence-cut video.mp4 -o clean.mp4", [], scope);
     return;
@@ -82180,7 +82222,7 @@ async function runSetupWizard(fullSetup = false, scope = "user") {
     await completeOrContinue(config2, "vibe doctor --test-keys", [], scope);
     return;
   }
-  if (topIndex === 2) {
+  if (topIndex === 0) {
     config2.llm.provider = "claude";
     const pipelineKeys = [
       {
@@ -82188,7 +82230,7 @@ async function runSetupWizard(fullSetup = false, scope = "user") {
         envVar: "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY",
         name: "Anthropic",
         url: "https://console.anthropic.com/settings/keys",
-        what: "Claude \u2014 storyboard generation + reasoning"
+        what: "Claude - storyboard generation + reasoning"
       },
       {
         configKey: "openai",
@@ -82202,7 +82244,7 @@ async function runSetupWizard(fullSetup = false, scope = "user") {
         envVar: "FAL_API_KEY",
         name: "fal.ai",
         url: "https://fal.ai/dashboard/keys",
-        what: "Seedance 2.0 \u2014 video generation, default since v0.57"
+        what: "Seedance 2.0 - video generation, default since v0.57"
       },
       {
         configKey: "elevenlabs",
@@ -82514,7 +82556,7 @@ async function runCustomSetup(config2, scope = "user", opts = {}) {
     xai: "Grok 4.1 Fast, 2M context, great for tool calling",
     openrouter: "300+ models via one API key (Claude, GPT, Gemini, Llama, etc.)",
     evolink: "GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek & more via one key",
-    ollama: "Free, local, no API key \u2014 offline capable (default: llama3.2)"
+    ollama: "Free, local, no API key - offline capable (default: llama3.2)"
   };
   const providerLabels = providers.map((p) => {
     const rec = p === "claude" ? source_default.dim(" (recommended)") : "";
@@ -82635,19 +82677,19 @@ async function showComplete(config2, defaultTryCommand, features = [], scope = "
     console.log();
     console.log(
       source_default.dim(
-        `  Detected ${primary.label} \u2014 \`vibe init\` will scaffold ${primary.projectFiles.join(" + ")} in your project.`
+        `  Detected ${primary.label} - \`vibe init\` will scaffold ${primary.projectFiles.join(" + ")} in your project.`
       )
     );
     console.log(
       source_default.dim(
-        `  Scene composer will auto-dispatch to ${primary.label} (${source_default.bold("--mode agent")}). Run \`vibe init my-promo\` to scaffold a video project + install local composition rules.`
+        `  ${primary.label} authors each scene during \`vibe build\`. Run \`vibe init my-promo\` to scaffold a video project.`
       )
     );
   } else {
     console.log();
     console.log(
       source_default.dim(
-        `  No agent host detected \u2014 \`vibe build\` will use the internal LLM composer (${source_default.bold("--mode batch")}).`
+        `  No agent host detected - scenes are authored by a coding agent during \`vibe build\`; pass ${source_default.bold("--composer template")} for the deterministic no-model fallback.`
       )
     );
   }
@@ -82658,7 +82700,7 @@ async function setupClaudeCode() {
   console.log(source_default.bold.cyan("Claude Code Integration"));
   console.log(source_default.dim("\u2500".repeat(40)));
   console.log();
-  console.log("  VibeFrame CLI is self-discoverable \u2014 no extra setup needed.");
+  console.log("  VibeFrame CLI is self-discoverable - no extra setup needed.");
   console.log("  Claude Code can use these commands to understand the CLI:");
   console.log();
   console.log(`  ${source_default.green("vibe --help")}                  All command groups`);
@@ -82763,7 +82805,7 @@ async function showConfig(opts = { verbose: false }) {
   if (!verbose && unsetCount > 0) {
     console.log(
       source_default.dim(
-        `  (${unsetCount} provider${unsetCount === 1 ? "" : "s"} unset \u2014 run with --verbose to list)`
+        `  (${unsetCount} provider${unsetCount === 1 ? "" : "s"} unset - run with --verbose to list)`
       )
     );
   }
@@ -82834,7 +82876,7 @@ providers:
 # ${product} - Storyboard
 
 Pacing: keep beats 6-15 seconds. Longer beats render as static, overstuffed
-scenes \u2014 split them instead.
+scenes - split them instead.
 
 Brief: ${brief}
 
@@ -83348,26 +83390,27 @@ function cmdQuote(value) {
 // src/commands/_shared/init-templates.ts
 var AGENTS_MD = `# AGENTS.md
 
-This project uses [VibeFrame](https://github.com/vericontext/vibeframe) \u2014
-a CLI for AI-powered video editing. The \`vibe\` command provides 80+
-subcommands for video generation, editing, analysis, and pipeline
-orchestration. Cost tiers below \u2014 **always confirm with the user before
-running High / Very High tier commands**.
+This project uses [VibeFrame](https://github.com/vericontext/vibeframe) -
+a CLI for AI video generation on the user's own provider keys (Seedance,
+Runway, Veo, Kling), behind dry runs and a hard \`--max-cost\` ceiling.
+The \`vibe\` command provides 80+ subcommands for video generation,
+editing, and analysis. Cost tiers below - **always confirm with the user
+before running High / Very High tier commands**.
 
 ## Agent host coverage
 
 VibeFrame's CLI works with any bash-capable AI coding agent. Six host
 families have first-class auto-detection and scaffolds today:
 
-- **Claude Code** \u2014 \`CLAUDE.md\` (this file's import wrapper) +
+- **Claude Code** - \`CLAUDE.md\` (this file's import wrapper) +
   \`AGENTS.md\` + \`/vibe-*\` slash commands.
-- **OpenAI Codex** \u2014 reads \`AGENTS.md\` natively (agents.md spec).
-- **Cursor** \u2014 reads \`AGENTS.md\` plus \`.cursor/rules/\` for project
+- **OpenAI Codex** - reads \`AGENTS.md\` natively (agents.md spec).
+- **Cursor** - reads \`AGENTS.md\` plus \`.cursor/rules/\` for project
   rules; supports MCP via \`.cursor/mcp.json\`.
-- **Aider** \u2014 reads \`AGENTS.md\` (binary-only detection by VibeFrame).
-- **Gemini CLI** \u2014 primary context file is \`GEMINI.md\`; also reads
+- **Aider** - reads \`AGENTS.md\` (binary-only detection by VibeFrame).
+- **Gemini CLI** - primary context file is \`GEMINI.md\`; also reads
   \`AGENTS.md\` if present.
-- **OpenCode** \u2014 reads \`AGENTS.md\` (officially supported per
+- **OpenCode** - reads \`AGENTS.md\` (officially supported per
   \`opencode.ai/docs/rules\`); supports MCP via \`.opencode/mcp.json\`.
 
 Run \`vibe doctor\` to see which host(s) the CLI detects in your
@@ -83377,7 +83420,7 @@ fallback.
 
 ## Self-discovery
 
-Don't memorise the command surface \u2014 read it from the CLI:
+Don't memorise the command surface - read it from the CLI:
 
 \`\`\`bash
 vibe --help                    # command groups overview
@@ -83397,10 +83440,10 @@ vibe guide pipeline            # step-by-step authoring guide (pipeline)
 Routing the user's request correctly is the most important judgement call
 you'll make. Do not force everything into a scene project.
 
-**ASSET \u2014 default for any single-asset request OR ambiguous prompt.**
+**ASSET - default for any single-asset request OR ambiguous prompt.**
 If the user asks for a single image, single video clip, sound effect, music
-bed, or narration file \u2014 **OR pastes a visual/audio brief without explicit
-storyboard / scene / multi-scene language** \u2014 treat it as ASSET. Use
+bed, or narration file - **OR pastes a visual/audio brief without explicit
+storyboard / scene / multi-scene language** - treat it as ASSET. Use
 \`vibe generate ...\` directly. Do **not** edit \`DESIGN.md\`,
 \`STORYBOARD.md\`, run \`vibe scene ...\`, or auto-load the hyperframes
 skill until BUILD intent is explicit. The visual-identity hard-gate
@@ -83417,13 +83460,13 @@ If genuinely uncertain, ask one short question: *"single asset or
 multi-scene project?"* before authoring DESIGN.md or loading the
 hyperframes skill.
 
-**BUILD \u2014 create new video from text intent.**
+**BUILD - create new video from text intent.**
 Use \`vibe build\` with a STORYBOARD.md + DESIGN.md. The
 skills-driven pipeline (v0.60+) dispatches narration TTS + backdrop
 image-gen per beat, composes scene HTML via the bundled composition rules
 bundle, then renders to MP4. Idempotent re-runs reuse cached assets.
 
-**REMIX \u2014 transform existing video / audio.**
+**REMIX - transform existing video / audio.**
 Use \`vibe remix\`, \`vibe edit\`, or \`vibe audio\`. One-shot,
 batch-oriented operations on a file the user already has on disk.
 \`vibe edit text-overlay\` is the free deterministic path for simple static
@@ -83483,7 +83526,7 @@ starting from a media file and wants it transformed, it's REMIX.
 When you run vibe commands programmatically:
 
 1. **Always \`--json\`** for structured output you can parse without regex
-2. **Always \`--dry-run\` first** for any High/Very-High tier command \u2014 it returns
+2. **Always \`--dry-run\` first** for any High/Very-High tier command - it returns
    the cost estimate without spending API budget
 3. **Use \`vibe schema <command>\`** to discover parameters; do not guess flags
 4. **Pass complex options via \`--stdin\`**:
@@ -83525,7 +83568,7 @@ vibe host doctor all --json # verify readiness
 
 Default setup is snippet-only; use \`--write\` when you want VibeFrame to merge
 the generated config. Keep provider keys in \`.vibeframe/config.yaml\`, user
-config, or env files \u2014 not in app host config.
+config, or env files - not in app host config.
 
 ## Host agent loop
 
@@ -83536,7 +83579,7 @@ budget caps, \`build-report.json\`, \`review-report.json\`, \`nextActions\`,
 \`safeToAutoRun\`, \`requiresConfirmation\`, \`fixOwner\`, deterministic repair,
 and render inspection for the host agent to decide what to do next.
 
-Copy-paste agent prompt (Codex) \u2014 a plain prompt, not a built-in command:
+Copy-paste agent prompt (Codex) - a plain prompt, not a built-in command:
 
 \`\`\`text
 Build this VibeFrame project into renders/final.mp4. Use --json for every
@@ -83553,7 +83596,7 @@ remaining host-agent issue is fixed, accepted with rationale, or reported as
 blocked.
 \`\`\`
 
-Copy-paste agent prompt (Claude Code) \u2014 a plain prompt, not a built-in command:
+Copy-paste agent prompt (Claude Code) - a plain prompt, not a built-in command:
 
 \`\`\`text
 Finish this VibeFrame render using your host's agent loop as the outer
@@ -83568,7 +83611,7 @@ no unresolved unacknowledged host-agent issues.
 
 ### Composition rules (scene HTML)
 
-Composition rules live in the **Hyperframes skill** \u2014 framework rules, motion
+Composition rules live in the **Hyperframes skill** - framework rules, motion
 principles, type system, and visual-identity hard-gate. **Load that skill
 before authoring any scene composition HTML under \`compositions/\`.** The same
 rules govern \`vibe scene lint\`, so your authored HTML and the linter stay in
@@ -83592,22 +83635,12 @@ containing live text/cards. Put ambient zoom/parallax on background or media
 layers only; text should enter briefly and then hold still at its final CSS
 position.
 
-### Scene composer (batch / non-agent fallback)
-
-When you don't want to author HTML yourself, \`vibe build --mode batch\` runs an
-LLM internally with the same skill bundle. It auto-picks a provider based
-on available keys (\`claude > gemini > openai\`) \u2014 pass \`--composer <name>\`
-to force one:
-
-| Provider | Env var | Spike notes (v0.70) |
-|---|---|---|
-| Claude (default) | \`ANTHROPIC_API_KEY\` | ~9 s/beat. Fastest, validated baseline. |
-| Gemini | \`GOOGLE_API_KEY\` | ~20 s/beat. ~2.6\xD7 cheaper than Claude. |
-| OpenAI | \`OPENAI_API_KEY\` | ~70 s/beat. gpt-5 reasoning latency \u2014 opt-in only. |
+### Scene composer (non-agent fallback)
 
-All three pass first-shot lint at every effort tier on the \`vibeframe-promo\`
-fixture. Quality on more complex storyboards may differ \u2014 fall back to
-\`--composer claude\` if a non-default provider repeatedly fails lint.
+Scene HTML is authored by you, the host agent - the CLI makes no LLM call
+during \`vibe build\`. When no agent is available to author scenes, pass
+\`--composer template\` for the deterministic no-model composer
+(concat background + lower-thirds).
 
 ## Project conventions
 
@@ -83622,7 +83655,7 @@ var CLAUDE_MD = `@AGENTS.md
 
 # Claude Code overrides
 
-This file imports \`AGENTS.md\` (above) \u2014 that's the canonical source.
+This file imports \`AGENTS.md\` (above) - that's the canonical source.
 Add anything Claude-Code-specific *below*; everything generic should
 stay in AGENTS.md so other agent hosts (Codex, Cursor, Aider, Gemini CLI, OpenCode) see it
 too.
@@ -83630,11 +83663,11 @@ too.
 ## Skills
 
 If you ran \`vibe init\` with Claude Code detected, the VibeFrame skill
-pack is available as slash commands (consolidated to 2 in v0.62 \u2014 the
+pack is available as slash commands (consolidated to 2 in v0.62 - the
 overview content moved into AGENTS.md above):
 
-- \`/vibe-pipeline\` \u2014 YAML pipeline authoring helper (Video as Code)
-- \`/vibe-scene\` \u2014 per-scene HTML authoring + \`vibe build\`
+- \`/vibe-pipeline\` - YAML pipeline authoring helper (Video as Code)
+- \`/vibe-scene\` - per-scene HTML authoring + \`vibe build\`
 
 Claude-specific routing note: follow the ASSET / BUILD / REMIX decision
 rules in \`AGENTS.md\`. In particular, a request for one generated image or
@@ -83661,7 +83694,7 @@ var GEMINI_MD = `@AGENTS.md
 
 # Gemini CLI overrides
 
-This project's canonical agent guidance lives in \`AGENTS.md\` \u2014 read
+This project's canonical agent guidance lives in \`AGENTS.md\` - read
 it first. The \`@AGENTS.md\` line above is the import marker; if
 Gemini CLI doesn't inline imported files in your version, open
 \`AGENTS.md\` directly. Both files are kept in sync by \`vibe init\`.
@@ -83678,11 +83711,11 @@ function renderEnvExample(opts = {}) {
 # Run \`vibe doctor\` to see what's currently detected.
 
 `;
-  return `# VibeFrame API keys \u2014 copy this file to \`.env\` and fill in what you need.
+  return `# VibeFrame API keys - copy this file to \`.env\` and fill in what you need.
 # Free local fallbacks work without any keys. See README for the full list.
 
 ${fallback2}# \u2500\u2500 LLM provider / optional \`vibe agent\` fallback (pick one) \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500
-ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=                    # Claude \u2014 recommended default
+ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=                    # Claude - recommended default
 OPENAI_API_KEY=                       # GPT-5-mini \xB7 Whisper \xB7 gpt-image-2
 GOOGLE_API_KEY=                       # Gemini \xB7 Veo
 XAI_API_KEY=                          # Grok image+video
@@ -83691,7 +83724,7 @@ OPENROUTER_API_KEY=                   # multiplexes any provider above
 
 # \u2500\u2500 Media providers \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500
 ELEVENLABS_API_KEY=                   # paid TTS / SFX / music (Kokoro is the free fallback)
-FAL_API_KEY=                              # Seedance 2.0 \u2014 default video provider since v0.57
+FAL_API_KEY=                              # Seedance 2.0 - default video provider since v0.57
 IMGBB_API_KEY=                        # image hosting for Seedance/Kling image-to-video
 RUNWAY_API_SECRET=                    # Runway Gen-4.5 video
 KLING_API_KEY=                        # Kling video
@@ -84605,35 +84638,17 @@ var planCommand = new Command("plan").description("Read STORYBOARD.md and show b
     return;
   }
   if (maxCost !== void 0 && plan.estimatedCostUsd > maxCost) {
-    const warning = `Estimated cost $${plan.estimatedCostUsd.toFixed(2)} exceeds --max-cost $${maxCost.toFixed(2)}.`;
-    const data = {
-      ...plan,
-      costCapUsd: maxCost,
-      code: "COST_CAP_EXCEEDED",
-      message: warning,
-      suggestion: "Raise --max-cost or reduce the stage/provider scope.",
-      recoverable: true,
-      retryWith: [
-        ...plan.retryWith,
-        `vibe plan ${projectDirArg} --stage ${stage} --skip-backdrop --json`,
-        `vibe build ${projectDirArg} --stage ${stage} --max-cost ${plan.estimatedCostUsd} --json`
-      ].filter((value, index, all) => value.length > 0 && all.indexOf(value) === index)
-    };
-    if (isJsonMode()) {
-      outputSuccess({
-        command: "plan",
-        startedAt,
-        data,
-        warnings: [warning]
-      });
-      process.exitCode = 1;
-      return;
-    }
     exitWithError(
-      usageError(
-        `Estimated cost $${plan.estimatedCostUsd.toFixed(2)} exceeds --max-cost $${maxCost.toFixed(2)}.`,
-        `Raise --max-cost or reduce the stage/provider scope.`
-      )
+      costCapError({
+        estimatedCostUsd: plan.estimatedCostUsd,
+        maxCostUsd: maxCost,
+        retryWith: [
+          ...plan.retryWith,
+          `vibe plan ${projectDirArg} --stage ${stage} --skip-backdrop --json`,
+          `vibe build ${projectDirArg} --stage ${stage} --max-cost ${plan.estimatedCostUsd} --json`
+        ].filter((value, index, all) => value.length > 0 && all.indexOf(value) === index),
+        data: { ...plan, costCapUsd: maxCost }
+      })
     );
   }
   if (isJsonMode()) {
@@ -84844,38 +84859,18 @@ Advanced equivalent: \`vibe scene build\`.`
       return;
     }
     if (maxCostUsd !== void 0 && plan.estimatedCostUsd > maxCostUsd) {
-      const warning = `Estimated cost $${plan.estimatedCostUsd.toFixed(2)} exceeds --max-cost $${maxCostUsd.toFixed(2)}.`;
-      const retryWith = unique6([
-        ...plan.retryWith,
-        `vibe build ${projectDirArg} --stage ${stage} --skip-backdrop --json`,
-        `vibe build ${projectDirArg} --stage ${stage} --max-cost ${plan.estimatedCostUsd} --json`
-      ]);
-      if (isJsonMode() || isQuietMode()) {
-        outputSuccess({
-          command: "build",
-          startedAt,
-          dryRun: true,
-          warnings: [warning],
-          data: {
-            params,
-            plan,
-            costCapUsd: maxCostUsd,
-            code: "COST_CAP_EXCEEDED",
-            message: warning,
-            suggestion: "Raise --max-cost or reduce the stage/provider scope.",
-            retryWith,
-            recoverable: true
-          }
-        });
-        process.exitCode = 1;
-        return;
-      }
-      console.log(source_default.red(warning));
-      if (retryWith.length > 0) {
-        console.log(source_default.dim(`Retry: ${retryWith[0]}`));
-      }
-      process.exitCode = 1;
-      return;
+      exitWithError(
+        costCapError({
+          estimatedCostUsd: plan.estimatedCostUsd,
+          maxCostUsd,
+          retryWith: unique6([
+            ...plan.retryWith,
+            `vibe build ${projectDirArg} --stage ${stage} --skip-backdrop --json`,
+            `vibe build ${projectDirArg} --stage ${stage} --max-cost ${plan.estimatedCostUsd} --json`
+          ]),
+          data: { params, plan, costCapUsd: maxCostUsd }
+        })
+      );
     }
     if (!isJsonMode() && !isQuietMode()) {
       printBuildDryRun(projectDirArg, params, plan);
@@ -85143,7 +85138,7 @@ function printNeedsAuthor(result) {
   console.log("  Then run: vibe build");
   console.log(
     source_default.dim(
-      "  Use `vibe build --mode batch` when you want the CLI to call an LLM composer instead."
+      "  Use `vibe build --composer template` for the deterministic no-model composer instead."
     )
   );
 }
@@ -85798,7 +85793,7 @@ var doctorCommand = new Command("doctor").description("Check system health and a
   `
 Examples:
   $ vibe doctor              Compact health summary (issues + Ready %)
-  $ vibe doctor --verbose    Full report \u2014 all providers, composer, free commands
+  $ vibe doctor --verbose    Full report - all providers, composer, free commands
   $ vibe doctor --test-keys  Validate each configured key against its provider
   $ vibe doctor --json       Machine-readable output
 `
@@ -86140,11 +86135,11 @@ function printReport(results, opts = { verbose: false }) {
     );
     if (sc.composer) {
       console.log(
-        `    Revise LLM   ${source_default.green("OK")}     ${source_default.dim(`${composerLabel(sc.composer)} (${sc.composerEnvVar}) \u2014 powers 'vibe storyboard revise'`)}`
+        `    Revise LLM   ${source_default.green("OK")}     ${source_default.dim(`${composerLabel(sc.composer)} (${sc.composerEnvVar}) - powers 'vibe storyboard revise'`)}`
       );
     } else {
       console.log(
-        `    Revise LLM   ${source_default.yellow("--")}     ${source_default.dim("no ANTHROPIC_API_KEY / GOOGLE_API_KEY / OPENAI_API_KEY \u2014 'vibe storyboard revise' unavailable")}`
+        `    Revise LLM   ${source_default.yellow("--")}     ${source_default.dim("no ANTHROPIC_API_KEY / GOOGLE_API_KEY / OPENAI_API_KEY - 'vibe storyboard revise' unavailable")}`
       );
     }
     if (sc.sceneProjectInCwd) {
@@ -86158,7 +86153,7 @@ function printReport(results, opts = { verbose: false }) {
       }
     } else {
       console.log(
-        `    HF rules     ${source_default.dim("(no STORYBOARD.md in cwd \u2014 rules are per-scene-project)")}`
+        `    HF rules     ${source_default.dim("(no STORYBOARD.md in cwd - rules are per-scene-project)")}`
       );
     }
   }
@@ -86282,7 +86277,7 @@ async function runLiveKeyTests(results) {
   );
   const configured = Object.entries(results.providers).filter(([, info]) => info.configured);
   if (configured.length === 0) {
-    console.log(source_default.dim("    No keys configured \u2014 nothing to test."));
+    console.log(source_default.dim("    No keys configured - nothing to test."));
     return;
   }
   const { testKey: testKey2 } = await Promise.resolve().then(() => (init_key_live_test(), key_live_test_exports));
@@ -87236,7 +87231,7 @@ async function registerAllTools(registry) {
 // src/agent/prompts/system.ts
 function getSystemPrompt(context) {
   const projectInfo = context.projectPath ? `Current project: ${context.projectPath}` : "No timeline loaded. Use timeline_create or project_create to start.";
-  return `You are VibeFrame, an AI video editing assistant. You help users edit videos through natural language commands.
+  return `You are VibeFrame, an AI video generation and editing assistant. You help users generate video from frontier models on their own provider keys - behind dry runs and cost caps - and edit the results, through natural language commands.
 
 ## Current Context
 - Working directory: ${context.workingDirectory}
@@ -87244,10 +87239,10 @@ function getSystemPrompt(context) {
 
 ## Your Capabilities
 You have access to tools for:
-1. **Timeline Management**: Create, open, save, and modify low-level timeline JSON state
-2. **Timeline Editing**: Add sources, create clips, add tracks, apply effects, trim, split, move, and delete clips
-3. **Media Analysis**: Detect scenes, silence, and beats in media files
-4. **AI Generation**: Generate images, videos, TTS, sound effects, music, and more
+1. **AI Generation**: Generate images, videos, TTS, sound effects, music, and more on the user's provider keys
+2. **Media Analysis**: Detect scenes, silence, and beats in media files
+3. **Timeline Management**: Create, open, save, and modify low-level timeline JSON state
+4. **Timeline Editing**: Add sources, create clips, add tracks, apply effects, trim, split, move, and delete clips
 5. **Export**: Export projects to video files
 
 ## Guidelines
@@ -88203,20 +88198,24 @@ async function markBannerShown() {
 function showFirstRunBanner() {
   console.log();
   console.log(source_default.cyan.bold("  Welcome to VibeFrame!"));
-  console.log(source_default.dim("  AI-native video editing from your terminal."));
+  console.log(source_default.dim("  Frontier video generation for your coding agent. Your keys, your ceiling."));
   console.log();
   console.log(
-    `  ${source_default.white("1.")} ${source_default.green("vibe setup")}         Configure API keys ${source_default.dim("(1 min)")}`
+    `  ${source_default.white("1.")} ${source_default.green('vibe init demo --from "30s video"')}  Scaffold a project ${source_default.dim("(no key needed)")}`
+  );
+  console.log(
+    `  ${source_default.white("2.")} ${source_default.green("vibe build demo --dry-run")}          Price it before any spend`
+  );
+  console.log(
+    `  ${source_default.white("3.")} ${source_default.green("vibe setup")}                         Add provider keys when a step generates`
   );
-  console.log(`  ${source_default.white("2.")} ${source_default.green("vibe doctor")}        Check system health`);
-  console.log(`  ${source_default.white("3.")} ${source_default.green("vibe --help")}        See all commands`);
   console.log();
   console.log(source_default.dim("  Try without keys:"));
   console.log(
-    `    ${source_default.green("vibe demo")}                          Run sample edits on a test video`
+    `    ${source_default.green("vibe build demo --dry-run --max-cost 5")}  See the cost gate refuse an over-budget build`
   );
+  console.log(source_default.dim("    vibe demo                        Run sample edits on a test video"));
   console.log(source_default.dim("    vibe edit silence-cut video.mp4 -o clean.mp4"));
-  console.log(source_default.dim("    vibe detect scenes video.mp4"));
   console.log();
 }
 
@@ -88280,7 +88279,7 @@ async function readStdin() {
   return Buffer.concat(chunks).toString("utf-8").trim();
 }
 var program2 = new Command();
-program2.name("vibe").showSuggestionAfterError(true).description("VibeFrame CLI - video projects, AI media generation, and workflow automation").version(package_default.version).option("--json", "Output in JSON format").option("-q, --quiet", "Output only the primary result value (path, URL, or ID)").option("--fields <fields>", "Limit JSON output to specific fields (comma-separated)").option("--stdin", "Read options from stdin as JSON (for agent/script use)").option("--describe", "Show JSON schema for the command and exit (no execution)").exitOverride().configureOutput({
+program2.name("vibe").showSuggestionAfterError(true).description("VibeFrame CLI - AI video generation on your own provider keys, behind dry runs and a hard cost cap").version(package_default.version).option("--json", "Output in JSON format").option("-q, --quiet", "Output only the primary result value (path, URL, or ID)").option("--fields <fields>", "Limit JSON output to specific fields (comma-separated)").option("--stdin", "Read options from stdin as JSON (for agent/script use)").option("--describe", "Show JSON schema for the command and exit (no execution)").exitOverride().configureOutput({
   outputError: (str, write2) => {
     if (process.env.VIBE_JSON_OUTPUT === "1" || process.argv.includes("--json")) {
       const err = {