How to Get a Free TMDB API Key
Video Tagger is a local-first desktop app for macOS that cleans up filenames, fetches movie & TV metadata, and writes Plex / Jellyfin / Kodi / Emby-compatible sidecar files next to your videos.
Video Tagger uses The Movie Database (TMDB) to look up movie and TV episode metadata. TMDB requires a free personal API key for API access. The key is stored only on your Mac.
1. Create a TMDB account
Go to themoviedb.org/signup and register with your email. Confirm your email address before moving to the next step.
2. Open the API settings
Once logged in, visit themoviedb.org/settings/api. Click Request an API Key under the "API" section.
3. Choose API type
Select Developer when asked. This is the free personal key type and is enough for Video Tagger.
4. Fill in the application form
TMDB will ask for a short description of your project. You can write something like:
"Personal metadata tagging tool for my local movie and TV library."
Accept the terms and submit the form.
5. Copy the API key
After approval, TMDB shows an API Key (also called API Read Access Token for v4). Copy the v3 API key string.
6. Paste it into Video Tagger
Open Video Tagger, go to Settings > Metadata Providers > TMDB, and paste your key. Test the connection, then start matching titles.