> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://bountyv.gitbook.io/vdocs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://bountyv.gitbook.io/vdocs/clip-api/clip-clean.md).

# Clean Clip

Re-download a TikTok or Instagram Reel without the platform's watermark overlay.

```
POST /api/v1/clip/clean
```

Synchronous. The cleaned HD MP4 streams back in the response body — there's no JSON wrapper, and nothing is stored on our side (the file is served once, then deleted).

Removes the platform's own bug/overlay by fetching the original source. It does **not** erase a watermark or caption that a creator burned into the pixels.

## Authentication

Standard header:

```
Authorization: Bearer sk_live_...
```

See [Authentication](/vdocs/authentication.md) for details. Requires the `clip` product on your account.

## Request

**Content-Type:** `application/json`

| Field | Type   | Required | Description                                                                         |
| ----- | ------ | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `url` | string | ✅        | A TikTok (`tiktok.com`) or Instagram (`instagram.com/reel/...`, `instagr.am`) link. |

## Response

`200 OK` — the body **is** the MP4 (`Content-Type: video/mp4`, `Content-Disposition: attachment`). Billing and metadata come back as response headers:

```
Content-Type: video/mp4
Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="some-title.mp4"
X-Charged-Cents: 5
X-Balance-Cents: 4995
X-Clean-Platform: tiktok
X-Clean-Duration: 12.4
```

| Header             | Description                                     |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------- |
| `X-Charged-Cents`  | Amount deducted from your balance for this call |
| `X-Balance-Cents`  | Remaining balance                               |
| `X-Clean-Platform` | `tiktok` or `instagram`                         |
| `X-Clean-Duration` | Source video duration, in seconds               |

## Example

```bash
curl -X POST https://substance-api.com/api/v1/clip/clean \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_live_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "url": "https://www.tiktok.com/@user/video/1234567890" }' \
  -o clean.mp4 -D -
```

```js
import fs from "node:fs";

const res = await fetch("https://substance-api.com/api/v1/clip/clean", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.SUBSTANCE_API_KEY}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({ url: "https://www.tiktok.com/@user/video/1234567890" }),
});

if (!res.ok) throw new Error((await res.json()).error);
console.log("charged cents:", res.headers.get("X-Charged-Cents"));
fs.writeFileSync("clean.mp4", Buffer.from(await res.arrayBuffer()));
```

## Errors

| Status | When                                                                                                                 |
| ------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `400`  | Missing/invalid `url` (must be a TikTok or Instagram link), or body wasn't JSON.                                     |
| `401`  | Missing/invalid API key.                                                                                             |
| `402`  | Insufficient balance.                                                                                                |
| `403`  | Your account doesn't have the `clip` product enabled.                                                                |
| `502`  | The source couldn't be fetched (private, region-locked, or unsupported). Balance is refunded — see `refunded_cents`. |
| `503`  | Pipeline temporarily offline.                                                                                        |

See [Errors](/vdocs/errors.md) for full details.

## Pricing

Billed per call — see [Credits & pricing](/vdocs/account/credits.md) for current rates.


---

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