Runway ML Setup Checklist: Preparing Your Browser, Assets, and Creative Brief

A clean setup gives you more time to focus on the creative decisions that matter. Before you open Runway ML | Tools for human imagination, prepare your browser, gather the right assets, and write a brief that leaves room for experimentation.

This Runway ML setup checklist is designed for a first session or a repeatable production workflow. You can work through it in a few minutes before a quick concept test, or use it as a handoff document for a larger project.

1. Prepare your browser

Start with the browser you plan to use for the full session. Use a current version and close tabs that could distract you or consume unnecessary system resources. If your project includes large media files or several reference pages, a lighter browser workspace can make the process easier to manage.

Browser checklist

• Confirm that you can sign in to the account you intend to use.
• Keep your account details accessible without placing sensitive information in your creative notes.
• Check that your internet connection is stable before uploading media or starting a longer task.
• Review browser permissions if the workflow asks for access to files, downloads, or other local functions.
• Disable extensions that interfere with uploads, downloads, page controls, or media playback.
• Keep enough free storage available for downloaded drafts and exported files.
• Decide where project files will be saved before you begin.

It also helps to create a simple folder for the project. Use clear names for source files, references, drafts, and final exports. A folder named with the project title and date is easier to search later than a collection of files with generic names.

2. Organize your source assets

Runway ML work becomes easier when every uploaded file has a clear purpose. Gather the images, video clips, audio references, logos, sketches, and written notes you expect to use. You may not need all of them in the first attempt, but having the source material ready prevents unnecessary pauses.

Asset preparation checklist

• Separate original files from edited copies.
• Rename files with useful labels, such as subject, scene, version, or shot number.
• Remove duplicate files and outdated drafts from the working folder.
• Review each image or clip for unwanted borders, accidental details, or poor framing.
• Check that your references match the visual direction in your brief.
• Keep a note of where each asset came from and whether you have permission to use it.
• Save a backup of valuable originals before making changes.

File organization is especially useful when you want to compare several creative directions. For example, you could group references by lighting, composition, movement, or mood. This makes your choices easier to explain and helps you return to a successful approach later.

Be selective with references. A crowded upload set can make your intention harder to communicate. Choose the material that best represents the result you want, then keep extra inspiration in a separate reference folder.

3. Write a usable creative brief

A creative brief gives your session a destination. It doesn’t need to predict every detail, and it shouldn’t limit useful experimentation. The goal is to describe the desired result clearly enough that you can judge each draft against the same purpose.

Include these details

• Project goal: Explain what the finished visual or video should communicate.
• Audience: Note who will see the work and what they should feel or understand.
• Format: Record the intended placement, such as a social post, presentation, landing page, or concept board.
• Subject: Describe the main person, object, location, or action.
• Visual direction: Add useful guidance about framing, lighting, color, texture, pace, or atmosphere.
• Must-keep details: List elements that should remain recognizable or consistent.
• Avoid list: Mention details that would weaken the concept or create the wrong impression.
• Success test: State how you will decide whether a result is worth keeping.

Keep the first version of the brief short. A paragraph and a few bullet points are often enough to establish direction. If the concept changes during exploration, update the brief instead of relying on scattered notes.

For projects that span several sessions, a project memory tool can help you keep decisions in one place. You can use Jar for AI — Project Memory for ChatGPT, Claude & Gemini to store reference notes, approved language, and earlier creative decisions alongside your broader planning process.

4. Set boundaries before you experiment

Decide what you’re willing to change and what must remain fixed. This simple step keeps experimentation productive. If the subject, brand mark, product shape, or central message must stay consistent, write that down before generating variations.

You should also decide how many directions you want to explore in the first session. A small number of focused approaches makes comparison easier. Give each direction a clear label, such as “soft daylight,” “high-contrast studio,” or “slow atmospheric movement,” then record what changed between versions.

When working with client or brand material, keep approval requirements visible. Your brief can include a short review section with the person responsible for giving feedback, the required delivery format, and any elements that need sign-off.

5. Use a simple first-session workflow

1. Open your prepared browser workspace.
2. Review the brief before uploading anything.
3. Begin with one strong reference or source asset.
4. Test a focused creative direction.
5. Record what worked and what needs adjustment.
6. Change one major variable at a time when comparing results.
7. Save useful drafts with clear names and dates.
8. Export or store the version you want to revisit.

Changing one major variable at a time makes your review more useful. If you alter the subject, style, framing, and movement together, you may get an interesting result without knowing which decision caused it. A measured workflow gives you a clearer path when you want to refine the idea.

6. Final pre-flight check

Before you start, ask yourself five quick questions:

• Can I access the account and project folder I need?
• Are my source assets clearly named and easy to find?
• Do I have the right to use the uploaded material?
• Does my brief describe the goal, audience, and visual direction?
• Do I know how I’ll judge the first result?

If you can answer yes, you’re ready to begin with a clearer plan. The purpose of this checklist isn’t to remove creative discovery. It gives that discovery a dependable starting point, so your time goes toward testing ideas instead of searching for files or reconstructing decisions.

FAQ

Do I need a detailed brief before using Runway ML?

No. A short brief is enough for many early experiments. Include the goal, subject, visual direction, and any details that must remain consistent. Add more detail when the project involves client review, brand requirements, or several rounds of revision.

How many assets should I prepare?

Prepare the assets that directly support your first creative direction. A smaller, relevant set is easier to review than a large folder of unrelated references. Keep additional material nearby in case you decide to explore another approach.

What should I do after the first result?

Compare it with your brief, save the useful version, and write down one or two specific changes for the next attempt. Clear notes will help you refine the concept without losing track of earlier decisions.