# txtreel

> Free online tools to turn a written conversation into a realistic iMessage, WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Reddit or lock screen notification video for TikTok, Reels and Shorts. One site with a tool per app (iMessage, WhatsApp, Instagram DM, Reddit, iPhone lock screen notifications), an HTTP API and an MCP connector for Claude and ChatGPT. No account, no watermark, output is a 1080×1920 MP4 or PNG.

txtreel is free and rate-limited: about 30 videos and 120 screenshots per hour per network, videos up to 180 seconds. Rendered files are deleted after 24 hours. Drafts stay in the browser. It is independent and not affiliated with Apple, Meta, Reddit, Anthropic or OpenAI.

## Tools

- [Fake iMessage video generator](https://txtreel.com/imessage-video): Typing bubbles, keyboard, read receipts.
- [Fake WhatsApp chat video maker](https://txtreel.com/whatsapp-video): Blue ticks, bubble times, the wallpaper.
- [Fake Instagram DM video generator](https://txtreel.com/instagram-dm-video): Purple bubbles, Seen, typing dots.
- [Reddit story video generator](https://txtreel.com/reddit-story-video): A post and its comments, scrolled.
- [Fake iMessage generator](https://txtreel.com/imessage-screenshot): One conversation, as a sharp PNG.
- [Fake WhatsApp chat generator](https://txtreel.com/whatsapp-screenshot): Ticks and times, light or dark.
- [Fake Instagram DM generator](https://txtreel.com/instagram-dm-screenshot): Gradient bubbles and Seen.
- [Fake Reddit post generator with comments](https://txtreel.com/reddit-screenshot): A post with comments, dark mode too.
- [Fake notification video generator](https://txtreel.com/lock-screen-notification-video): Texts land on a lock screen, with the iOS sound.
- [Fake iPhone notification generator](https://txtreel.com/fake-notification-generator): A lock screen full of notifications.

## Guides and comparison

- [How to make a text message story video for TikTok](https://txtreel.com/guides/text-story-video-tiktok): Make a text message story video for TikTok in 5 steps: write the script, preview it on an iPhone, export a free 1080×1920 MP4 with no watermark.
- [How to make a Reddit story video](https://txtreel.com/guides/reddit-story-video): Make a Reddit story video of a phone scrolling a post and nested comments, then add your own voiceover. Free 1080×1920 MP4, no watermark, no AI voice.
- [Fake text message video makers compared](https://txtreel.com/compare/fake-text-video-makers): Free MP4, watermarks, accounts, supported apps and prices for txtreel, thefake.design, texting.video, Vidulk, OneUp Today, Kapwing and ClipGoat. Checked 29 Sept 2026.

## Use it from Claude or ChatGPT

MCP server (Streamable HTTP, no login, no API key): https://txtreel.com/mcp

- [Use with Claude](https://txtreel.com/claude): Claude (claude.ai, Claude Desktop): open Customize → Connectors, then + Add → Add custom connector, paste the URL. Claude Code: `claude mcp add --transport http txtreel https://txtreel.com/mcp`.
- [Use with ChatGPT](https://txtreel.com/chatgpt): ChatGPT (paid plans, web): turn on Developer mode in Settings → Security and login, then create a plugin in Settings → Plugins with a public endpoint and no authentication.
- Tools exposed: chat_validate, chat_render_video, chat_screenshot, reddit_render_video, reddit_screenshot, lockscreen_render_video, lockscreen_screenshot.

## API

Docs: https://txtreel.com/api . JSON Schema: https://txtreel.com/api/schema . Free, no key; over the limit the API answers 429 with Retry-After.

- POST https://txtreel.com/api/render: Queues an MP4. Returns 202 with { id, status, queuePosition, statusUrl }. Add ?wait=1 to block until it's done.
- GET https://txtreel.com/api/renders/:id: { status: queued | bundling | rendering | done | error, progress, queuePosition, url, durationSeconds, error }
- POST https://txtreel.com/api/still: { conversation, frame? } → { url } of a 1080×1920 PNG. Default frame: the last one.
- POST https://txtreel.com/api/validate: Checks the input without rendering: errors, or duration and message count. Not rate-limited.
- GET https://txtreel.com/api/schema: JSON Schema of both formats, plus the script syntax.

## Optional

- [Terms of use](https://txtreel.com/terms)
- [Privacy](https://txtreel.com/privacy)
- [How-to and FAQ of every tool, in one file](https://txtreel.com/llms-full.txt)

## Contact

hello@txtreel.com