> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cloudinary.com/documentation/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Upload programmatically (video tutorial)

[githublink]: https://github.com/cloudinary-training/cld-upload-programmatically-node-tutorial

## Overview

Cloudinary's [Upload API](image_upload_api_reference) allows you to quickly upload your images, videos and other media files to Cloudinary for immediate deliverability. Let's show you how to use this API in your development environment.

## Video tutorial

  This video is brought to you by Cloudinary's video player - embed your own!Use the controls to set the playback speed, navigate to chapters of interest and select subtitles in your preferred language.

> **TIP**: :title=View the code

You can find the code from this tutorial in [GitHub][githublink].
## Tutorial contents
This tutorial presents the following topics. Click a timestamp to jump to that part of the video.
### Supported programming languages
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  | 
| --- | --- |
|{videotime:id=media :min=0 :sec=11 :player=cld} | Our tutorial uses [Node.js](node_integration) and server-side scripts to demonstrate the upload capabilities. However, we [support many popular programming languages](cloudinary_sdks), including [Ruby](rails_integration), [PHP](php_integration), [Python](dotnet_integration) and more. 
|

### Write your script
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  | 
| --- | --- |
|{videotime:id=media :min=0 :sec=32 :player=cld} | Start writing a script that uses Cloudinary's Upload API to get the image into your Cloudinary product environment. Our example requires two different libraries - the [Cloudinary Node.js SDK](node_integration#installation) and [dotenv](https://www.npmjs.com/package/dotenv), which allows your development environment to [use your Cloudinary credentials](node_integration#configuration) and upload the assets in an authenticated way.
|

### Retrieve your environment variable
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  | 
| --- | --- |
|{videotime:id=media :min=0 :sec=50 :player=cld} | Copy the **API environment variable** format from the [API Keys](https://console.cloudinary.com/app/settings/api-keys) page of the Cloudinary Console Settings. Replace `<your_api_key>` and `<your_api_secret>` with your actual values. Your cloud name is already correctly included in the format. Then, paste the environment variable into a **.env** file in your development project. [Do not expose your Cloudinary product environment credentials](product_environment_settings#api_keys) in your site's frontend and public code.
|

### Call the Upload API
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  | 
| --- | --- |
|{videotime:id=media :min=1 :sec=14 :player=cld} | Call the [Cloudinary Upload API](image_upload_api_reference), then [reference the file you want to upload](node_image_and_video_upload#server_side_upload). 
|

### Add callback functions
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  | 
| --- | --- |
|{videotime:id=media :min=1 :sec=19 :player=cld} | Add your [callback functions](https://nodejs.org/en/learn/asynchronous-work/javascript-asynchronous-programming-and-callbacks#callbacks/). This tutorial [uses promises to handle the successes and failures in the code](https://tpiros.dev/blog/promises-in-javascript/).
|

### Ensure script libraries are installed
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  | 
| --- | --- |
|{videotime:id=media :min=1 :sec=26 :player=cld} | Make sure all of our script's libraries [are properly installed](https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v7/commands/npm-install) with a simple `npm i` command. If you opening your **package.json** file, you can see all of the packages have been listed as dependencies.
|

### Run the script and upload the local asset
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  | 
| --- | --- |
|{videotime:id=media :min=1 :sec=41 :player=cld} | You should have gotten [a successful JSON response](upload_images#upload_response) with lots of data about the uploaded file, including its resolution, file size, format, and more. The file is also now an immediately deliverable asset from a secure, HTTPS URL.
|

### Upload an asset from a public URL
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  | 
| --- | --- |
|{videotime:id=media :min=2 :sec=00 :player=cld} | To upload a file from any public URL, [simply enter the full URL of the asset](upload_parameters#upload_from_a_remote_url), instead of the local file path.
|

### Add parameters to the upload call
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  | 
| --- | --- |
|{videotime:id=media :min=2 :sec=19 :player=cld} | You can [edit the file's public ID](upload_parameters#public_id), so the asset is named exactly what you want it to be. It is also possible to [add tags to the asset](image_upload_api_reference#tags_method), so you can easily find and deliver it later. You can even [apply quality analysis features](image_quality_analysis) to provide automation, based on the blurriness or overall size of the asset.
|
## Keep learning

> **READING**:
>
> * Download, clone or fork [the tutorial's GitHub repository](https://github.com/cloudinary-training/cld-upload-programmatically-node-tutorial) to follow along with the shown steps.

> * Refer to [the full Upload API reference](image_upload_api_reference) for all the various parameters you can add to upload calls.

> * Take a look at the [User-generated content guide](user_generated_content) to see all the features you can take advantage of when uploading images and videos to display on your site.

> * Enroll in [our introductory Cloudinary Academy courses](https://training.cloudinary.com/) that highlight the Node.js SDK, such as [Fundamentals for Developers](https://training.cloudinary.com/courses/cloudinary-fundamentals-for-developers).

#### If you like this, you might also like...

  
  
  
    Generate Upload Signature
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    Get Started with the CLI
    Set up the CLI and get familiar with some basic commands 
  

  
  
  
    Upload with the CLI
    Apply background removal to images on upload 
  

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