Runway Install Auth
Overview
Install the Runway ML SDK and configure API key authentication for AI video generation.
Prerequisites
- Runway account at runwayml.com
- API key from the Runway Developer Portal (dev.runwayml.com)
- Python 3.9+ or Node.js 18+
Instructions
Step 1: Install SDK
set -euo pipefail
# Python
pip install runwayml
# Node.js
npm install @runwayml/sdk
Step 2: Configure Environment
# .env
RUNWAYML_API_SECRET=key_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Step 3: Verify Connection (Python)
from runwayml import RunwayML
client = RunwayML() # Reads RUNWAYML_API_SECRET from env
# The client is ready — no explicit auth call needed
# SDK auto-authenticates on first API call
print("RunwayML client initialized")
Step 4: Verify Connection (Node.js)
import RunwayML from '@runwayml/sdk';
const runway = new RunwayML(); // Reads RUNWAYML_API_SECRET from env
console.log('RunwayML client initialized');
Output
runwaymlSDK installed- API key configured via environment variable
- Client ready for video generation
Error Handling
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|-------|-------|----------|
| 401 Unauthorized | Invalid API key | Verify key at dev.runwayml.com |
| ModuleNotFoundError | SDK not installed | pip install runwayml |
| RUNWAYML_API_SECRET not set | Missing env var | Set in .env or export |
Resources
Next Steps
Generate your first video: runway-hello-world