# Getting Started (Server)

Tin Man Server is a professional command-line tool for batch processing, metadata extraction, creating thumbnails, copying media with SHA256 verification and report generation designed to support high-volume video production and post-production workflows.

Compatible with both Windows and macOS, Tin Man Server is licensed to handle a wide range of professional formats, including Apple ProRes & ProRes RAW, Avid DNxHD/HR, ARRIRAW, Blackmagic RAW, Canon RAW, Panasonic AVC-Ultra, RED RAW, and Sony RAW & XAVC.

### Installation & Access

After installing Tin Man, the Server CLI is available at:

**macOS:**

```bash
"/Applications/Calibrated Tin Man.app/Contents/Server/tinman-server"
```

**Windows:**

```bash
"C:\Program Files\Calibrated\Tin Man\tinman-server.exe"
```

The installer automatically configures command-line access:

* **Windows:** Adds `C:\Program Files\Calibrated\Tin Man` to your system PATH
* **macOS:** Creates a symlink in `/usr/local/bin`

After installation, you can use `tinman-server` directly from any Command Prompt on Windows or Terminal on macOS.

### Quick Start

View all available commands and options:

```bash
tinman-server --help
tinman-server --version
```

### Extract Metadata

Generate comprehensive metadata reports in multiple formats:

```bash
# PDF report (default) with Rec. 709 conversion with Tone Mapping for Thumbnails
tinman-server /path/footage/ metadata --output-dir /path/reports/ --rec709tonemap

# CSV report
tinman-server /path/footage/ metadata --output-dir /path/reports/ --format csv

# Multiple formats at once
tinman-server /path/footage/ metadata --output-dir /path/reports/ --format csv pdf xlsx

# JSON with all metadata types
tinman-server /path/footage/ metadata --output-dir /path/reports/ --format json
```

#### Custom Report Configuration

```bash
# Generate default config file
tinman-server generate-config --output my-config.json

# Use config for reports
tinman-server /path/footage/ metadata --config my-config.json --output-dir /path/reports/
```

### Generate Thumbnails (currently free)

Extract thumbnail images with extensive control:

```bash
# Single thumbnail per file (320px wide, default)
tinman-server /path/footage/ thumbnail --output-dir /path/thumbs/

# Three evenly distributed thumbnails (start/middle/end)
tinman-server /path/footage/ thumbnail --output-dir /path/thumbs/ --position-count 3

# Six evenly distributed thumbnails (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%)
tinman-server /path/footage/ thumbnail --output-dir /path/thumbs/ --position-count 6

# Time-based thumbnails with intervals
tinman-server /path/footage/ thumbnail --output-dir /path/thumbs/ \
  --time-count 5 --time-interval 1.0 --usesubdirs

# Custom naming with prefix and timecode index
tinman-server /path/file.R3D thumbnail --output-dir /path/thumbs/ \
  --nameprefix Dailies --nameindex timecode

# with Rec. 709 conversion with Tone Mapping
tinman-server /path/file.braw thumbnail --output-dir /path/thumbs/ \
  --startframe 100 --size 512 --quality 95 --rec709tonemap
```

### Export & Transcode

Export and transcode media files using system presets or custom configurations:

```bash
# List all available system presets
tinman-server export --list-presets

# Export using system preset to ProRes 422 HQ
tinman-server /path/footage/ export --preset mov_prores422_hq --output-dir /path/exports/

# Export using custom preset JSON file
tinman-server /path/footage/ export --preset /path/my-preset.json --output-dir /path/exports/

# Export with custom naming pattern to 10Mbps H264
tinman-server /path/footage/ export --preset mp4_h264_10mbps --output-dir /path/exports/ \
  --naming "{date}_{source}_{timecode}"

# Export image sequence with custom frame numbering
tinman-server /path/file.R3D export --preset imageseq_dpx_10bit_rgb_be \
  --output-dir /path/exports/ --index-prefix "." --index-min-size 6 --index-offset 1
```

### Copy Files with Verification (currently free)

Copy media files with checksum verification:

```bash
# Copy single file
tinman-server /path/input.R3D copy --output-dir /path/backup/

# Copy folder preserving structure
tinman-server /path/footage/day1/ copy --output-dir /path/backup/day1/

# Overwrite existing files
tinman-server /path/footage/ copy --output-dir /path/backup/ --overwrite
```

### Multi-Threading

Process files faster with concurrent operations (1-5 threads - default 1):

```bash
# Metadata extraction with 3 threads
tinman-server --threads 3 /path/footage/ metadata --output-dir /path/reports/ --format csv

# Export with 3 threads
tinman-server --threads 3 /path/footage/ export --preset mov_prores422_hq --output-dir /path/exports/

# File copying with maximum threads (5)
tinman-server --threads 5 /path/footage/ copy --output-dir /path/backup/
```

### Chaining Commands

Execute multiple operations in a single command:

```bash
# Generate both metadata report and thumbnails
tinman-server /path/input.R3D metadata --output-dir /path/reports/ thumbnail --output-dir /path/thumbs/
```

### Progress Output

By default, Tin Man Server outputs JSON-formatted progress suitable for parsing by automation tools:

```bash
# JSON progress (default) - ideal for automation
tinman-server /path/footage/ metadata --output-dir /path/reports/

# Human-readable progress
tinman-server --progress=no-json /path/footage/ metadata --output-dir /path/reports/
```

The JSON progress output includes file processing status, progress percentage, errors and warnings, operation results, and timing metrics.

### Input Methods

```bash
# Single file
tinman-server /path/input.R3D metadata --output-dir /path/reports/

# Multiple files
tinman-server /path/file1.R3D /path/file2.braw metadata --output-dir /path/reports/

# Folders (recursive by default)
tinman-server /path/footage/ metadata --output-dir /path/reports/

# Don't scan subfolders
tinman-server --no-recursive /path/footage/ metadata --output-dir /path/reports/

# File list from text file
tinman-server @filelist.txt metadata --output-dir /path/reports/
```

### **Claude Cowork Plugin**

Tin Man Server includes a Claude Cowork plugin for macOS and Windows, allowing you to run all Tin Man Server operations through natural language in Claude AI. Install the plugin from the [GitHub repository](https://github.com/calibratedsoftware/tinman-server-cowork).

### Support

For complete command reference and all available options:

```bash
tinman-server --help
```

For questions or workflow consultation: <support@calibratedsoftware.com>

Download Tin Man: <https://www.calibratedsoftware.com/tin-man/trial/>


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