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

# Upload and manage your media library

> Add images, videos, and YouTube links to your Piksel media library, then preview or delete assets across one or more branches.

The media library is where you store all the content you want to display on your screens. Piksel supports three types of media: images, videos, and YouTube videos imported by URL. Everything you upload is available to add to any playlist in your account.

## Supported media types

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Images">
    Upload still images to display on your screens. Piksel accepts common image formats including JPEG and PNG. Images use their upload filename as their display name in the library.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Videos">
    Upload video files directly to Piksel. Piksel detects the content type automatically from the uploaded file. For videos, you can optionally upload a separate thumbnail image at the same time — this thumbnail appears in the media library gallery.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="YouTube">
    Import a YouTube video by pasting its URL. Piksel accepts standard YouTube watch URLs (`youtube.com/watch?v=...`), short URLs (`youtu.be/...`), embed URLs, and YouTube Shorts URLs. Piksel fetches the video title automatically and stores the embed URL for playback on your screens.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Uploading images and videos

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the media library">
    Navigate to **Media** in the dashboard sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your files">
    Click **Upload** or drag and drop your image or video files directly onto the upload area. You can upload multiple files at once.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the upload to complete">
    Piksel uploads the file to storage and registers the metadata. The new item appears in the gallery when the upload finishes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  If you are uploading a video and want a custom thumbnail, include the thumbnail image file in the same upload request using the thumbnail field in the upload form.
</Tip>

## Importing a YouTube video

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the media library">
    Navigate to **Media** in the dashboard sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Import YouTube">
    Select the **Import YouTube** option in the upload area.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste the YouTube URL">
    Enter the full URL of the YouTube video. Piksel validates the URL and extracts the video ID.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the import">
    Click **Import**. Piksel fetches the video title and thumbnail from YouTube and adds the item to your library.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Browsing and previewing media

The media library displays your assets as a gallery grid. Each item shows a thumbnail, the file name, and the media type. Select any item to open a preview.

<Info>
  You can filter the library by media type (image, video, or YouTube) or by branch if you have multiple locations set up.
</Info>

## Organizing media by branch

If your account uses [branches](/features/branches), you can assign each media item to a branch when uploading. This makes it easier to filter the library and keep assets organized by location or business unit.

## Deleting media

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select the media item">
    Open the item from the gallery or select it using the action menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Delete the item">
    Click **Delete** and confirm the action.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Deleting a media item removes it from all playlist items that reference it. Any playlists containing the deleted item will have that slot removed automatically. This action cannot be undone.
</Warning>