Quick Start
Learn how to build media applications with Shelby
Overview
Shelby Media Kit gives you everything you need to build streaming applications on decentralized storage—with the same developer experience you expect from platforms like S3, Cloudflare R2, or Cloudinary.
What is Shelby?
Shelby is a modern storage layer for media that combines the reliability of distributed infrastructure with CDN-grade performance. Think of it as an alternative to traditional cloud storage, but with built-in redundancy and competitive pricing.
Why developers choose Shelby:
- Distributed redundancy — Your media is stored across multiple nodes, eliminating single points of failure
- Competitive pricing — Pay less than centralized alternatives without sacrificing performance
- CDN-grade delivery — Stream with the same speed you'd expect from traditional cloud providers
How It Works
Building a media application with Shelby follows a simple workflow:
Prepare
Transcode your video files into streaming formats like HLS or DASH with adaptive bitrate. This ensures smooth playback across different network conditions and devices.
Upload
Store your prepared media on Shelby's distributed network. Files are automatically replicated across nodes for durability and fast access.
Stream
Use the optimized video player to deliver content to your users with adaptive streaming and minimal buffering.
What's Included
The Media Kit currently provides two core packages:
| Package | Purpose |
|---|---|
@shelby-protocol/media-prepare | Transcode video to HLS/DASH with adaptive bitrate qualities |
@shelby-protocol/player | Lightweight video player optimized for streaming from distributed storage |
More packages are on the way, including tools for live streaming, thumbnail generation, and media analytics.