Use Cases

Decart’s models power a range of creative and production applications — from realtime character transformation on mobile to batch video processing for content pipelines. This page highlights the most common use cases with recommended models and starter code for each.

Realtime use cases

Realtime models process live video and audio over WebRTC with sub-second latency. They run continuously as long as the connection is open.

Character transformation

Become any character on camera with Lucy 2.1. Upload a reference image and your movements map onto that identity in realtime.

Live streaming effects

Apply artistic styles to live video with Lucy Restyle Live. Transform your stream into anime, cyberpunk, oil painting, and more.

Realtime video editing

Add, modify, or remove objects in live video with Lucy 2.1. Change outfits, add accessories, or swap backgrounds with text prompts.

Virtual try-on

Let shoppers see how clothing looks on them in realtime. Send a garment image and prompt to Lucy VTON for instant outfit changes.

Character transformation with Lucy 2.1

Turn yourself into any character — live on camera. Lucy 2.1 takes a reference image and maps your facial expressions, head movements, and gestures onto that character. Best for: virtual cosplay, social filters, virtual try-on, character-driven content creation.

import { createDecartClient, models } from "@decartai/sdk";

const client = createDecartClient({ apiKey: "your-api-key-here" });
const model = models.realtime("lucy-2.1");

const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({
  video: { frameRate: model.fps, width: model.width, height: model.height },
});

const realtimeClient = await client.realtime.connect(stream, {
  model,
  onRemoteStream: (transformed) => {
    document.getElementById("output").srcObject = transformed;
  },
});

// Upload a character reference and transform
const characterPhoto = document.querySelector("input[type=file]").files[0]; // from file input
await realtimeClient.set({
  prompt: "Transform into this character",
  image: characterPhoto, // File, Blob, or URL
  enhance: true,
});

// Switch characters without reconnecting
const anotherPhoto = await fetch("/another-character.jpg").then((r) => r.blob());
await realtimeClient.set({ prompt: "Transform into this character", image: anotherPhoto });

Lucy 2.1 also works without a reference image — pass only a prompt to set() for text-based editing.

Live streaming effects with Lucy Restyle Live

Transform the entire visual style of a live video feed. Lucy Restyle Live applies artistic styles in realtime — ideal for Twitch, YouTube Live, or TikTok. Best for: social media filters, creative livestreams, virtual events, themed video calls.

import { createDecartClient, models } from "@decartai/sdk";

const client = createDecartClient({ apiKey: "your-api-key-here" });
const model = models.realtime("lucy-restyle-2");

const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({
  video: { frameRate: model.fps, width: model.width, height: model.height },
});

const realtimeClient = await client.realtime.connect(stream, {
  model,
  onRemoteStream: (styled) => {
    document.getElementById("output").srcObject = styled;
  },
});

// Apply a style
realtimeClient.setPrompt("Studio Ghibli animation style", { enhance: true });

// Switch styles on the fly
realtimeClient.setPrompt("Cyberpunk city with neon lighting");
realtimeClient.setPrompt("Watercolor painting with soft edges");

Realtime video editing with Lucy 2.1

Make targeted edits to live video using text prompts. Add objects, change clothing, swap backgrounds — all without interrupting the stream. Best for: interactive experiences, photo booths, AR-style effects, live content creation.

import { createDecartClient, models } from "@decartai/sdk";

const client = createDecartClient({ apiKey: "your-api-key-here" });
const model = models.realtime("lucy-2.1");

const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({
  video: { frameRate: model.fps, width: model.width, height: model.height },
});

const realtimeClient = await client.realtime.connect(stream, {
  model,
  onRemoteStream: (edited) => {
    document.getElementById("output").srcObject = edited;
  },
});

// Add objects, change outfits, modify the scene
await realtimeClient.set({ prompt: "Add a small dog running around", enhance: true });
await realtimeClient.set({ prompt: "Change the outfit to a sharp black tuxedo with satin lapels" });
await realtimeClient.set({ prompt: "Replace the background with a beach at sunset" });

Virtual try-on with Lucy VTON

Let shoppers see how clothing looks on them in realtime. Lucy VTON takes a garment reference image and a descriptive prompt, then dresses the person on camera — perfect for e-commerce “Try it on” buttons, digital mirrors, and styling apps. Best for: e-commerce product pages, in-store kiosks, digital mirrors, styling and outfit planning.

import { createDecartClient, models } from "@decartai/sdk";

const client = createDecartClient({ apiKey: "your-api-key-here" });
const model = models.realtime("lucy-vton-latest");

const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({
  video: { facingMode: "user" },
});

const realtimeClient = await client.realtime.connect(stream, {
  model,
  onRemoteStream: (dressed) => {
    document.getElementById("output").srcObject = dressed;
  },
});

// Send a garment image with a descriptive prompt
const garmentBlob = await fetch("/products/bomber.png").then((r) => r.blob());
await realtimeClient.set({
  prompt: "Substitute the current top with a black bomber jacket with a blue logo on the chest and a zip front",
  image: garmentBlob,
  enhance: false,
});

// Switch garments without reconnecting
const beanieBlob = await fetch("/products/beanie.png").then((r) => r.blob());
await realtimeClient.set({
  prompt: "Add a navy blue knit beanie with a white logo on the fold to the person's head",
  image: beanieBlob,
  enhance: false,
});

Use the substitute pattern when replacing an existing garment ("Substitute the current top with...") and the add pattern for new items ("Add a hat to the person's head"). See the full e-commerce try-on example for a complete integration walkthrough.

Batch use cases

Batch models process pre-recorded video and images asynchronously. Submit a job, poll for completion, then download the result.

Video editing

Transform and edit existing videos — change styles, replace objects, or modify scenes.

Image editing

Edit existing images with precise text-driven control.

Video editing

Transform existing videos with text instructions. Change styles, replace objects, or modify entire scenes while preserving the original motion. Best for: post-production, content repurposing, brand transformations, visual effects.

import { createDecartClient, models } from "@decartai/sdk";
import { readFileSync, writeFileSync } from "fs";

const client = createDecartClient({ apiKey: "your-api-key-here" });

const videoBlob = new Blob([readFileSync("input.mp4")], { type: "video/mp4" });

const result = await client.queue.submitAndPoll({
  model: models.video("lucy-2.1"),
  data: videoBlob,
  prompt: "Replace the person's outfit with a medieval knight's armor",
  onStatusChange: (job) => console.log(`Status: ${job.status}`),
});

if (result.status === "completed") {
  const buffer = Buffer.from(await result.data.arrayBuffer());
  writeFileSync("edited.mp4", buffer);
}

# Submit a video editing job
curl -X POST https://api.decart.ai/v1/jobs/lucy-2.1 \
  -H "X-API-KEY: your-api-key-here" \
  -F "data=@input.mp4" \
  -F "prompt=Transform into Studio Ghibli animation style"

# Poll for result
curl https://api.decart.ai/v1/jobs/{job_id} \
  -H "X-API-KEY: your-api-key-here"

# Download when complete
curl https://api.decart.ai/v1/jobs/{job_id}/content \
  -H "X-API-KEY: your-api-key-here" \
  --output result.mp4

Image editing

Apply edits to existing images with text instructions. Best for: product mockups, creative assets, visual prototyping, style transfers.

import { createDecartClient, models } from "@decartai/sdk";

const client = createDecartClient({ apiKey: "your-api-key-here" });

const result = await client.process({
  model: models.image("lucy-image-2"),
  data: "https://example.com/room.jpg", // File, Blob, URL, or ReadableStream
  prompt: "Change the wall color to deep burgundy, keep everything else the same",
  enhance_prompt: true,
});

Choosing between realtime and batch

	Realtime	Batch
Latency	Sub-second (WebRTC)	Seconds to minutes (async jobs)
Input	Live camera or video stream	Pre-recorded files
Connection	Persistent — runs as long as connected	One-shot — submit, poll, download
Pricing	Per second of connection time	Per second of output video
Best for	Interactive apps, live streaming, mobile	Post-production, content pipelines, automation

Realtime and batch models use the same @decartai/sdk package. The difference is how you connect — client.realtime.connect() for realtime, client.queue.submitAndPoll() for video, client.process() for images.

Next steps

Lucy 2.1 guide

Deep dive into character transformation with reference images.

E-commerce try-on

Add a “Try it on” button to product pages with realtime virtual try-on.

Realtime mobile app

Build a complete Expo app with model switching and style presets.

All models

Compare every Decart model — realtime and batch — side by side.

Getting started

Realtime

Non-realtime

Provider Integrations

Libraries & SDKs

Frameworks

Resources

Realtime use cases

Character transformation

Live streaming effects

Realtime video editing

Virtual try-on

Character transformation with Lucy 2.1

Live streaming effects with Lucy Restyle Live

Realtime video editing with Lucy 2.1

Virtual try-on with Lucy VTON

Batch use cases

Video editing

Image editing

Video editing

Image editing

Choosing between realtime and batch

Next steps

Lucy 2.1 guide

E-commerce try-on

Realtime mobile app

All models

​Realtime use cases

Character transformation

Live streaming effects

Realtime video editing

Virtual try-on

​Character transformation with Lucy 2.1

​Live streaming effects with Lucy Restyle Live

​Realtime video editing with Lucy 2.1

​Virtual try-on with Lucy VTON

​Batch use cases

Video editing

Image editing

​Video editing

​Image editing

​Choosing between realtime and batch

​Next steps

Lucy 2.1 guide

E-commerce try-on

Realtime mobile app

All models

Realtime use cases

Character transformation with Lucy 2.1

Live streaming effects with Lucy Restyle Live

Realtime video editing with Lucy 2.1

Virtual try-on with Lucy VTON

Batch use cases

Video editing

Image editing

Choosing between realtime and batch

Next steps