# HYR Studio: Complete How-to-Use Training Manual **Audience:** HYR Studio users, organization members, administrators, and AI assistants that help users operate the product. **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-29 **Purpose:** A task-oriented guide to importing knowledge, creating content, using the Chrome extension, managing podcasts, collaborating, and sharing work safely. ## Start here: the basic workflow HYR Studio turns information you already have into useful content. The simplest workflow is: 1. **Add a source** in **My Sources**. Sources can be text, transcripts, PDFs, web pages, audio, video, or supported connected-platform content. 2. **Wait until it is ready.** A source that is still processing may not be available to search or generate from. 3. **Choose what to do with it.** Ask questions in Notebook Chat, create an asset in Content Studio, or send podcast/video material through Content Hub, Content Chopper, or Podflow. 4. **Review the result.** Check facts, names, dates, links, captions, and media before sharing. 5. **Find the saved result in Library.** Organize it, download it, export it, or schedule it through the relevant publishing tool. Keep the distinction between these areas in mind: - **My Sources** contains material you provide or import. - **Content Hub** connects supported external platforms and brings their content into HYR Studio. - **Content Studio** creates visual and written assets from a topic or source. - **Podflow** organizes podcast shows, episodes, production assets, and analytics. - **Library** is the workspace for generated and saved outputs. - **Help and docs** contains searchable walkthroughs, FAQs, release notes, and support. Some features depend on your plan, organization role, connected accounts, or available AI credits. If a control is missing, check your plan and role before troubleshooting the feature itself. ## 1. Find your way around Use the left navigation to open a workspace. The exact sections visible to you depend on your access. - Use **Help and docs** to search for a feature name, browse walkthroughs, read FAQs, review the changelog, or submit a support ticket. - Use the search field in Help and docs when you know the task but not which workspace contains it. - Open the floating help/chat assistant for context-sensitive guidance. It may offer shortcuts based on the page you are viewing. - Use the main **Settings** area for account preferences, connected accounts, integrations, billing, Affiliate, and MCP access. - Use the account or organization controls to change the active organization when a feature is organization-scoped. Using Chrome? The HYR Studio extension adds source capture, social-post drafts, Library insertion, Podflow uploads, and YouTube Studio tools. See [Chapter 12: Use the Chrome extension](/how-to-use.html#12-use-the-hyr-studio-chrome-extension). **Content Studio** is the current name for the visual generation workspace. Older help material may call it Visual Studio. ## 2. Set up your account 1. Sign in using one of the identity options shown on the sign-in page. 2. Complete the onboarding steps that apply to your account. You can revisit the product tour from the onboarding/help controls when available. 3. Open **Settings** and review your account preferences, language, and connected services. 4. Connect only the integrations you intend to use. Each provider may ask you to approve permissions on its own sign-in screen. 5. If you work with a team, accept or create an organization before sharing organization content. 6. Check the current plan and available features in billing/settings. Some generation and integration features can require a paid plan, beta access, or credits. Never send passwords, API keys, OAuth tokens, or personal access tokens in a support ticket or chat message. ## 3. Add and prepare knowledge sources ### Add a source 1. Open **My Sources**. 2. Choose **Add Source** and select a source type. 3. Follow the form for that type: - **Text or transcript:** paste the text and give it a useful name. - **PDF:** upload the file and wait for text extraction. - **Website:** enter a public page URL and fetch its readable content. - **YouTube:** paste a supported video URL and import its transcript when available. - **Audio or video:** upload a file or record in the browser when the option is available; transcription may take time. - **Google Drive:** connect Drive, choose the document, and import it. 4. Confirm the title and any available tags or folder. 5. Wait for the status to become **Ready** before using the source in Chat or generation. Long recordings may continue processing in the background. You can leave the page and return later. If an import fails, check the source status and message, confirm the file or URL is accessible, and try a smaller or supported file if appropriate. To capture a webpage you are viewing, use the [Chrome extension](/how-to-use.html#12-use-the-hyr-studio-chrome-extension). While its side panel is open, it reads the active tab into temporary panel memory; page text is sent to HYR Studio when you choose to save the source or generate a post from it. ### Keep sources organized - Create folders in **My Sources** or **Library** and use clear names such as a project, show, course, or client. - Move items into folders from their card actions. Deleting a folder does not delete the items inside it; they become uncategorized. - Use tags and descriptive source names so search results are easy to recognize. - Upload reusable visual references in **My Sources → Reference Images**. Give each image a name that explains what the AI should use it for, such as “logo,” “color palette,” or “episode host.” - Reference images guide style and appearance. They do not replace written instructions or source material. ## 4. Ask questions with Notebook Chat Notebook Chat uses your selected or accessible knowledge to answer questions. Treat the answer as a draft that you verify against the source. 1. Open Notebook Chat or the chat tool offered in the current workspace. 2. Select the sources, folder, show, or other scope that should ground the answer, when a scope selector is available. 3. Ask a specific question. Include the output you want, such as a summary, comparison, outline, or list of unanswered questions. 4. Ask follow-up questions to clarify the response or request a different format. 5. Check important claims against the cited or selected source material before using them. Good prompts name the intended audience and constraints. For example: “Summarize the three decisions in these meeting notes, list the owner for each, and mark anything the notes do not specify.” If a response misses information, confirm that the right source is selected and has finished processing. Narrowing the source scope can make a response more relevant. ## 5. Create content in Content Studio Content Studio creates visual and written assets from a topic or source. Available output types can vary by plan and current configuration. ### Create one asset 1. Open **Content Studio**. 2. Select an output type, such as a presentation, infographic, mind map, LinkedIn carousel, or social quote card. 3. Choose a source or enter a topic. Make sure the source is ready if the output should use its content. 4. Set the audience, language, tone, style, and other options shown for that output. 5. Attach one or more reference images when visual consistency matters. 6. Review the prompt and settings, then start generation. 7. Review the result for accuracy, layout, legibility, and brand fit. Regenerate or edit when needed. 8. Save the result. Generated assets are available from **Library**. Use specific instructions. Instead of “make this better,” say what should change, such as “keep the facts, shorten each slide to one idea, and use a neutral tone.” ### Generate multiple assets Use **Batch Mode** when you want to run the same type of generation for multiple topics or items. Add the inputs, choose shared settings, start the queue, and monitor the progress panel. Review each result separately before sharing; a successful batch does not guarantee every asset is publication-ready. ### Make images and layouts more consistent - Select a reference image that directly demonstrates the desired style or subject. - Use clear, concrete instructions for color, framing, typography, and intended platform. - Check the output dimensions and crop for the destination before exporting. - If a result is close but not correct, change one or two instructions at a time so you can tell which change helped. ## 6. Use personas, voices, and video tools ### Create a reusable persona 1. Open **Persona Studio**. 2. Create a persona and describe its voice, expertise, audience, and tone. 3. Add a headshot or reference photos only when you have the right to use them. 4. Save the persona and select it in supported generation workflows. 5. Review generated content; a persona is guidance, not proof that a claim is true. ### Voice and narration Voice training and text-to-speech options may require a supported plan or provider connection. Use recordings you have permission to use. Check pronunciation, names, pacing, and the final audio before publishing. ### Video Video tools can include presenter videos, slideshow-to-video, Smart Zoom, and short-form clipping. Select the source or library item, configure the available timeline, narration, and media options, then render. Large jobs may run asynchronously. Check the job status and the final exported file before using it elsewhere. ## 7. Use Media Bank, stock images, and GIFs ### Manage reusable reference images Media Bank is the central place to organize reference images. The same reference library is available from **My Sources → Reference Images** and from supported generation pickers. 1. Open **Media Bank** or **My Sources → Reference Images**. 2. Upload images or import a supported image from Google Drive. 3. Give each image a descriptive name and add useful tags, such as `logo`, `palette-warm`, or `layout-magazine`. 4. Put images into folders by use case, such as logos, layouts, or mood boards. 5. Select one to three relevant references in Content Studio, Persona Studio, or Podflow when style guidance is available. Use images you have permission to use. Reference images influence visual style; they do not automatically add a license to reuse the image in a published asset. ### Find stock photos 1. Open **Media Bank → Stock Photos**. 2. Search by subject or visual concept. 3. Open a result to preview it at full size. 4. Choose **Save to Reference Library** to make it available in reference-image pickers. 5. Review the image and its provider terms before publishing; attribution may be appropriate. ### Add a GIF to a draft In a supported social scheduler or chat composer, open the GIF picker, search Tenor by keyword or browse trending results, then select a GIF to add it to the active draft. Check how the chosen platform handles GIFs before scheduling. ## 8. Plan work on Canvas/Mixboard Canvas is a freeform board for arranging sources, generated assets, notes, diagrams, and live previews. Use it when you need to storyboard a video, plan a content series, or compare visual alternatives side by side. 1. Open **Canvas/Mixboard** and create or open a board. 2. Drag a source, Library item, or generated asset onto the board. 3. Add sticky notes for tasks or context. Use shapes and arrows to show relationships. 4. Add images by dragging them onto the board or pasting from the clipboard. 5. Scroll to pan, use pinch or Command/Ctrl-scroll to zoom, and press **F** to fit the board to the viewport. 6. Drag a supported slide deck, mockup, or video onto the board to view it as a live preview. Boards save automatically. The documentation describes board versions as available for the last 30 days. ## 9. Bring platform content into Content Hub and Content Chopper ### Content Hub 1. Open **Content Hub** and connect the platform account you intend to use. 2. Approve the provider’s requested permissions on its official authorization screen. 3. Select a supported channel, show, or item to sync or import. 4. Wait for processing and review the imported record. 5. Route the content into the relevant workspace, such as Podflow or a source workflow. YouTube, Buzzsprout, Vimeo, and Wistia features depend on the current account connection and available provider permissions. If content is missing, check the selected account/channel, its permissions, and the connection status. ### Content Chopper Content Chopper finds topics and clips in long-form material. Select a supported source or video, run topic extraction, review the suggested segments, and choose which formats to generate. When video clipping is available, review the clip, framing, captions, and score before using it. Do not assume that a generated clip is cleared for reuse. Confirm that you have the rights to the source video, audio, and people shown in it. ## 10. Produce a podcast in Podflow Podflow is the podcast workspace for shows, episodes, production assets, and analytics. ### Set up a show and episode 1. Open **Podflow** and create or select a series. 2. Complete the show details, such as title, description, categories, language, artwork, and feed information as applicable. 3. Add or select an episode and enter its title and production details. 4. Add episode audio/video, notes, chapters, keywords, artwork, and other available metadata. 5. Keep the episode in **Draft** while it is being prepared. Use the publishing controls in Podflow only after the content has been reviewed. ### Manage the production pipeline - Add hosts, guests, and sponsors in their relevant Podflow areas. Assign hosts to the correct show. - Use Episode Studio tools such as Audio Clipper, Visual Studio, Smart Zoom, or other available editors to make episode assets. - Use the **Podflow Library** to review imported or synced content. Check **Unlinked** items when content has not yet been attached to an episode. - Link YouTube videos or Shorts to the correct series or episode before relying on show analytics. - Review episode or series analytics after connecting supported platforms. Analytics coverage depends on the provider and the links configured for the show. Before an episode goes live, verify the media file, title, description, artwork, credits, publish destination, and schedule. You can also start a Podflow video upload to YouTube from the [Chrome extension side panel](/how-to-use.html#12-use-the-hyr-studio-chrome-extension). Review the title, visibility, and connected channel before starting the upload. ## 11. Create social posts and blog posts ### Draft or schedule a social post 1. Open the social composer or scheduler. 2. Write or generate a caption and add approved media. 3. Select the connected platform accounts. 4. Review platform-specific options. Some platforms need different captions, hashtags, media, or account types. 5. Save a draft or choose a future schedule time and timezone. 6. Review the scheduled post in the calendar or queue. Publishing support depends on each platform’s current rules and your account permissions. A post can fail if the account is disconnected, the media is unsupported, or a provider permission is missing. Reconnect the account and review the platform-specific message before retrying. To draft a post from the page you are reading, select **Current page** in **Create Post** in the [Chrome extension](/how-to-use.html#12-use-the-hyr-studio-chrome-extension), review the source text, then choose **Generate social post**. ### Create a blog post Open **Blog Post Composer**, select a source, library item, or other supported input, choose a structure and length, and review the generated draft. Connect Blogger if you want to publish there. Check facts, images, links, headings, and formatting before publishing. ### Schedule versus publish The regular HYR Studio publishing tools may publish through the connected platform after you confirm the destination and action. By contrast, MCP clients are restricted to reading content and creating or updating drafts and scheduled posts; an MCP client cannot publish immediately or delete content. A scheduled MCP-created post may still publish later through the normal scheduler. ## 12. Use the HYR Studio Chrome extension The HYR Studio Chrome extension adds a HYR workspace to Chrome's side panel and helper actions in YouTube Studio. It can capture sources, create social-post drafts, insert Library content into supported editors, and assist with Podflow and YouTube workflows. **Availability:** The extension is not currently published in the Chrome Web Store. Installation requires the unpacked `chrome_extension` folder. ### Install and connect 1. In Chrome, open `chrome://extensions/`. 2. Turn on **Developer mode**, select **Load unpacked**, and choose the supplied `chrome_extension` folder. 3. Open the HYR Studio extension from the browser toolbar. If it is not visible, pin it from Chrome's Extensions menu. 4. In the side panel, select **Open HYR Studio** and sign in to HYR Studio in the browser if prompted. 5. Return to the side panel and select **Test API Connection**. The extension uses your existing HYR Studio browser session for authenticated requests. It does not ask for an API key or your HYR Studio or YouTube password, and it does not store YouTube OAuth tokens in the extension. YouTube authorization is managed through the account connection in HYR Studio. If the connection check fails, confirm you are signed in to HYR Studio in the same Chrome profile and that browser privacy settings are not blocking the session. ### What the extension reads and stores - While the side panel is open, it reads the active tab's title, URL, and visible text into temporary in-memory state so it can show the current page. It refreshes this information when the active tab or page changes. Reading it does not by itself send the page text to HYR Studio; saving a source or choosing **Generate social post** sends the text you selected for that action. - The YouTube Studio helper may send the current video ID or the Short IDs you selected to HYR Studio to find matching saved content or mappings. It applies changes to YouTube only after you start an update or upload action. - When you right-click an editable field to insert Library content, the extension keeps a local reference to the field and cursor position. It does not read or send the field's existing text; only the Library item you choose is inserted. - Chrome sync storage contains the configured HYR Studio server address. Session storage holds temporary insertion context and Shorts-batch progress. Local storage can hold pending YouTube upload metadata until it is applied and HYR Studio confirms the result. - The extension does not store your HYR Studio password or YouTube OAuth token. See the [Privacy Policy](/privacy.html) and [Terms of Service](/terms.html) for the full details. ### Capture a source or create a post - To save a webpage, open it, select **Save Source** in the side panel, review the captured page details, optionally choose a topic or add notes, then select **Save to My Sources**. - To create a social-post draft, select **Create Post**, choose the current page, a saved source, or pasted text, set the post type and tone, then generate and review it. You can add an image from **My Library**, choose a platform, and save the post to HYR Studio. - To reuse Library content, select text or an image in **My Library**. You can also right-click a supported text field or editor and choose **Insert from HYR My Library**. Canvas-based editors may block browser insertion. Review saved posts in HYR Studio and use the regular social scheduler to choose platforms and schedule or publish them. ### Work with Podflow and YouTube - In the side panel's **Podflow** area, refresh the list and choose an episode or video. Use **Publish to YouTube** when the video has a server-accessible URL; otherwise choose **Open YouTube Studio** and finish the upload there. - For one YouTube Short, open its edit page in YouTube Studio. For a batch, open **Channel content → Shorts** and select up to 20 Shorts. Open the HYR Studio button and **Content** tab, then choose **Update Short on YouTube** or **Update N selected Shorts on YouTube**. - The Short update applies saved title, description, thumbnail, and related-video information in Studio. Shorts without a saved related-video mapping are skipped. A batch reports each result; **Stop active Short batch** stops remaining work while completed saves stay in place. - **Auto-Link selected Shorts** is a separate action that changes related-video mappings only; it does not update titles, descriptions, or thumbnails. For a YouTube post in Social Scheduler, choose **Upload video via Chrome extension instead** when that option is available. This skips the API upload and queues the metadata and thumbnail for you to apply during a manual YouTube Studio upload. Keep the relevant HYR and Studio tabs open and follow the extension's prompts. ### Connection troubleshooting If the extension says it is not connected: 1. Open HYR Studio in the same Chrome profile and sign in. 2. In extension **Settings**, confirm the HYR Studio server address and select **Test API Connection**. 3. If the browser blocks the HYR session cookie, allow cookies for the HYR Studio site and try again. 4. Reload the unpacked extension at `chrome://extensions/`, then reload the YouTube Studio tab. 5. If a platform account is disconnected or missing, reconnect it in HYR Studio **Settings → Integrations** and approve the permissions needed for that feature. Do not paste passwords, session cookies, OAuth tokens, or API keys into support messages. ## 13. Review and export work from Library 1. Open **Library** to find generated and saved assets. 2. Filter or search by type, folder, source, date, or other available controls. 3. Open an item to review its content and available edit/export actions. 4. Download the supported file format or use an available export integration such as Google Drive. 5. Move the item into the right folder and confirm any sharing settings. If a result seems missing, clear filters, check the selected folder, and search by its title or source. Use **Recover Missing Files** when the Library offers that self-service recovery tool. Recovery availability depends on the item and storage state. ## 14. Work with organizations and shared folders Organizations let teams collaborate while keeping ownership and access rules in place. - Create or select an organization from the account/organization controls. - Invite members from the organization’s member settings. - Assign a role that matches the work someone needs to do. Owners and administrators have broader controls than regular members. - Share folders through the folder’s sharing controls or Organization Manager. Confirm the intended organization and access level before sharing. - Change or remove membership when someone should no longer have access. Sharing a folder does not mean every account’s private content is globally available. Access follows the organization membership and folder-sharing rules. Check both before troubleshooting missing or unexpectedly visible items. ## 15. Settings, connected accounts, and administration ### Connected accounts Open **Settings → Integrations** or the integration area for the feature you are using. Check the connection state, reconnect an expired account, and approve only the permissions required by that feature. The Chrome extension uses your existing HYR Studio sign-in and the YouTube account connected here; it does not have a separate YouTube login. See [Chapter 12](/how-to-use.html#12-use-the-hyr-studio-chrome-extension) for connection troubleshooting and privacy details. ### Billing and credits Use **Settings → Billing** to review the plan and billing actions available to your account. AI generation and some advanced tools may use credits or require a particular plan. The live billing screen is the source of truth for your account. ### Affiliate Program Open **Settings → Affiliate** to view your unique referral link. Copy it or share it through the built-in social options. The page also shows total and active referrals, credits earned, pending rewards, and referral history. The current reward structure grants you 500 credits when a referred friend subscribes to a paid plan, and gives that friend 250 bonus credits when they sign up. ### Superadmin tools Superadmin pages are for authorized HYR Studio operators, not ordinary creator workflows. They can include account/organization administration, feature access, AI configuration, content settings, billing records, analytics, tickets, and launch tools. If you do not have a Superadmin role, use the regular user or organization settings instead. ## 16. Connect an AI client with MCP MCP lets a compatible AI client use a limited set of HYR Studio tools on your behalf. 1. Open **Settings → Integrations → MCP access**. 2. Choose OAuth for a client that supports OAuth, or create a personal access token for a client that accepts bearer tokens. 3. For a personal token, choose **Read-only** or **Read and write**. Read-only is the least-privilege choice for search and summaries. 4. Store the token in the AI client’s secure secret/environment-variable feature. Copy a personal token when it is created; HYR Studio will not show the full token again. 5. Use the remote MCP endpoint and setup instructions from the [MCP access guide](/mcp-user-access.html). 6. Revoke a token or OAuth connection in the same Settings area when it is no longer needed. MCP reads only content you own and organization-shared content your account can access. Write access is limited to adding sources and managing supported Podflow records or draft/scheduled social posts. MCP cannot delete records, publish immediately, run SQL, inspect the database schema, or list every HYR Studio user. ## 17. Troubleshooting checklist ### A source is missing or still processing - Confirm that the source appears in **My Sources** and check its status. - Wait for background processing to finish. - Confirm that the URL is public or the connected account can access it. - For a large file, try a smaller supported file or the documented import path for that provider. ### A generated result is inaccurate or incomplete - Confirm the correct source or folder was selected. - Check that the source is **Ready**. - Narrow the request and state the required audience, format, and constraints. - Verify the answer against the original source before using it. ### An integration or publishing action fails - Check that the intended account is connected and selected. - Reconnect if the provider says authorization expired. - Confirm the media format, account type, and platform permissions. - Retry only after reviewing the provider’s error; avoid creating duplicate scheduled posts. ### You cannot see a feature or record - Check your organization, role, plan, and active filters. - Confirm that the record is shared with the organization you are viewing. - Search Help and docs for the feature or exact error. - If it remains blocked, submit a support ticket with the feature name and non-sensitive error text. Do not include credentials. ## 18. Quick-start checklists ### Turn a document into a presentation 1. Add the document in **My Sources** and wait for **Ready**. 2. Open **Content Studio → Presentation**. 3. Select the source, audience, language, and style. 4. Generate, review each slide, and revise anything inaccurate. 5. Save and export from **Library**. ### Turn a podcast episode into clips 1. Import or select the episode in **Content Hub** or **Podflow**. 2. Confirm the transcript and episode association are correct. 3. Open the available clipping tool or Content Chopper. 4. Review proposed segments and generate only the clips you want. 5. Check rights, captions, framing, and audio before sharing. ### Create a social post from research 1. Confirm the research source is ready. 2. Draft in the social composer or generate a draft from the source. 3. Select connected platform accounts and customize platform-specific copy. 4. Verify claims and media rights. 5. Save as a draft or schedule it for the intended time. ### Update a batch of Shorts from HYR Studio 1. In HYR Studio, confirm each Short has the title, description, thumbnail, and related-video mapping you want. 2. In YouTube Studio, open **Content → Shorts** and select up to 20 Shorts. 3. Open the HYR Studio helper, choose **Content**, then select **Update N selected Shorts on YouTube**. 4. Keep the Studio tab open and review the result for each Short. Completed updates remain saved if you stop the batch. **Auto-Link selected Shorts** changes only related-video mappings. It does not update titles, descriptions, or thumbnails. ## 19. Guidance for AI assistants and LLMs This Markdown document is the text-first training manual. The public `/llms.txt` index points to it, the human-readable version, the MCP setup guide, and the public capability catalog. When helping a user: - Use this manual and the current in-app Help and docs as product references. Treat plan, role, provider, and integration requirements as account-specific. - Ask which source, show, folder, organization, platform account, and output format the user means when that context is missing. - Do not claim a source was reviewed unless it is actually available in the user’s authorized context. - Preserve the user’s content and permissions. Never request their password, access token, API key, or OAuth secret in chat. - If connected through MCP, use only tools the user’s token allows and only records the user owns or is authorized to access through an organization. - MCP write operations are not permission to publish immediately or delete. Keep social posts as drafts or scheduled posts and keep Podflow episodes unpublished unless the regular HYR Studio workflow is used by the user. - Verify generated facts and platform-specific requirements before presenting content as ready to publish. - For browser tasks such as saving a webpage, inserting Library content, or updating YouTube Shorts, direct the user to [Chapter 12: Use the Chrome extension](/how-to-use.html#12-use-the-hyr-studio-chrome-extension). Do not imply that you can see the user's browser page or extension state unless the user has explicitly provided it. - Never ask the user to share session cookies, passwords, OAuth tokens, or API keys. When explaining a page-capture action, make clear that the extension reads the active page while its panel is open and sends page content only when the user chooses to save or use it. For exact MCP endpoints, authentication, permissions, schemas, examples, and recovery steps, read the [MCP access guide](/mcp-user-access.html).