diff --git a/apps/effectcraft-cli/src/main.rs b/apps/effectcraft-cli/src/main.rs
index 71ea1ea3..53c19016 100644
--- a/apps/effectcraft-cli/src/main.rs
+++ b/apps/effectcraft-cli/src/main.rs
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 //!     [--profile main|main10] [--level auto|4.1] [--rate-control bitrate|quality] [--video-quality 1-100]
 //!     [--keyint FRAMES] [--webm-codec vp9|av1] [--audio-bitrate KBPS] [--opus-app audio|voice]
 //!     (a relative --out is relative to the working directory; --queue outputs follow the project's own settings)
+//! effectcraft-cli render --template T.ectemplate [--values V.json] --out FILE
+//! effectcraft-cli render-frame --template T.ectemplate [--values V.json] [--time S] [--out F.png]
 //! effectcraft-cli render F.ecproj --queue                    render the project's Render Queue
 //! effectcraft-cli bench [--comp C] [--time S] [--scale K] [--n N] [--play N] [--gpu [--adv3d]]   render timings
 //!     (--gpu: CPU vs GPU ms/frame for every comp at Full and Half)
@@ -39,6 +41,8 @@
 
 use std::io::Write;
 
+mod template;
+
 use effectcraft_automation::tools::{self, Reply};
 use effectcraft_automation::{Backend, McpServer};
 use serde_json::{Value, json};
@@ -102,6 +106,7 @@ const USAGE: &str = "usage: effectcraft-cli <info|commands|exec|run|props|get|se
                                            (formats h264|hevc|av1|prores|webm|png|jpeg|tiff|exr|gif|wav|aiff;
                                            --profile..--keyint: HEVC / AV1, --audio-bitrate/--opus-app: WebM Opus)
                                            a relative --out is relative to the working directory
+  render/render-frame --template T.ectemplate [--values V.json]   render one template instance
   bench [--comp C] [--time S] [--scale K] [--n N] [--play N] [--gpu [--adv3d]]   per-layer/effect render timings;
                                            --play N renders N consecutive frames with/without the layer cache;
                                            --gpu compares CPU and GPU ms/frame for every comp at Full and Half
@@ -137,6 +142,8 @@ const VALUED: &[&str] = &[
     "--depth",
     "--eval",
     // render
+    "--template",
+    "--values",
     "--format",
     "--start",
     "--end",
@@ -419,6 +426,7 @@ fn run(cmd: &str, args: &Args, json_out: bool) -> Result<(), Failure> {
     if args.flag("--autosave") && cmd != "mcp" {
         return usage_err("--autosave is only supported by mcp");
     }
+    template::validate(cmd, args)?;
     match cmd {
         "render" => render(args, json_out)?,
         "bench" => bench_cmd(args)?,
@@ -550,7 +558,13 @@ fn run(cmd: &str, args: &Args, json_out: bool) -> Result<(), Failure> {
             emit(&with_saved(v, saved), json_out);
         }
         "render-frame" | "frame" => {
-            let mut b = backend(args, true)?;
+            let mut b = if args.opt("--template").is_some() {
+                let mut s = session(args)?;
+                template::prepare(&mut s, args)?;
+                Backend::headless(s)
+            } else {
+                backend(args, true)?
+            };
             let comp = args.opt("--comp").and_then(reference);
             let mut time = args.num("--time")?;
             let mut max_side = args.num("--max-side")?.map(|m| m as u32).unwrap_or(0);
@@ -629,10 +643,14 @@ fn render(args: &Args, json_out: bool) -> Result<(), Failure> {
         return usage_err("render runs headless; use `exec renderQueue.add` / `renderQueue.render` with --bridge");
     }
     let mut s = session(args)?;
-    match &args.project {
-        Some(p) => s.execute("file.open", json!({"path": p})).map_err(|e| Failure::Error(e.to_string()))?,
-        None => s.execute("file.openDemoProject", json!({})).map_err(|e| Failure::Error(e.to_string()))?,
-    };
+    if args.opt("--template").is_some() {
+        template::prepare(&mut s, args)?;
+    } else {
+        match &args.project {
+            Some(p) => s.execute("file.open", json!({"path": p})).map_err(|e| Failure::Error(e.to_string()))?,
+            None => s.execute("file.openDemoProject", json!({})).map_err(|e| Failure::Error(e.to_string()))?,
+        };
+    }
     let err = |e: effectcraft_engine::EngineError| Failure::Error(e.to_string());
     if !args.flag("--queue") {
         let Some(out) = args.opt("--out") else { return usage_err("render: --out FILE is required (or --queue)") };
diff --git a/apps/effectcraft-cli/src/template.rs b/apps/effectcraft-cli/src/template.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f4da23cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/effectcraft-cli/src/template.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+//! CLI-only setup of an Essential Graphics template instance using engine commands.
+
+use std::io::Read;
+
+use effectcraft_engine::{
+    EngineError, Session,
+    project::{ItemId, LayerId},
+};
+use serde_json::{Map, Value, json};
+
+use crate::{Args, Failure, usage_err};
+
+pub(super) fn validate(cmd: &str, args: &Args) -> Result<(), Failure> {
+    if args.opt("--values").is_some() && args.opt("--template").is_none() {
+        return usage_err("--values requires --template");
+    }
+    if args.opt("--template").is_none() {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    if !matches!(cmd, "render" | "render-frame" | "frame") {
+        return usage_err("--template is available for render and render-frame");
+    }
+    if args.project.is_some() || args.flag("--demo") || args.opt("--bridge").is_some() || args.flag("--queue") || args.opt("--comp").is_some() {
+        return usage_err("--template renders a new instance; it cannot be combined with --project, --demo, --bridge, --queue or --comp");
+    }
+    if !args.pos.is_empty() {
+        return usage_err("template rendering takes --template FILE.ectemplate, without positional arguments");
+    }
+    if cmd == "render" && args.opt("--out").is_none() {
+        return usage_err("render: --out FILE is required (or --queue)");
+    }
+    // Resolve existing outputs before importing or rendering can overwrite an input.
+    let out = args.opt("--out").or_else(|| matches!(cmd, "render-frame" | "frame").then_some("frame.png"));
+    if let Some(out) = out
+        && let Ok(output) = std::fs::canonicalize(out)
+    {
+        for input in ["--template", "--values"] {
+            if let Some(path) = args.opt(input)
+                && std::fs::canonicalize(path).is_ok_and(|path| path == output)
+            {
+                return Err(Failure::Error(format!("--out {out} would overwrite {input} {path}")));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn values(args: &Args) -> Result<Map<String, Value>, Failure> {
+    let Some(path) = args.opt("--values") else { return Ok(Map::new()) };
+    // A bounded read also handles a file that grows after opening.
+    const MAX_BYTES: u64 = 1024 * 1024;
+    let file = std::fs::File::open(path).map_err(|e| Failure::Error(format!("cannot read values {path}: {e}")))?;
+    let mut bytes = Vec::new();
+    file.take(MAX_BYTES + 1).read_to_end(&mut bytes).map_err(|e| Failure::Error(format!("cannot read values {path}: {e}")))?;
+    if bytes.len() as u64 > MAX_BYTES {
+        return Err(Failure::Error(format!("values {path}: JSON exceeds 1 MiB")));
+    }
+    let value: Value = serde_json::from_slice(&bytes).map_err(|e| Failure::Error(format!("values {path}: invalid JSON: {e}")))?;
+    match value {
+        Value::Object(values) => Ok(values),
+        _ => Err(Failure::Error(format!("values {path}: expected a JSON object mapping control names to values"))),
+    }
+}
+
+fn execute(s: &mut Session, command: &str, params: Value) -> Result<Value, Failure> {
+    s.execute_checked(command, params).map_err(|e| Failure::Error(e.to_string()))
+}
+
+// Use the same instance commands to reject invalid values before import extracts media.
+fn preflight(s: &Session, path: &str, values: &Map<String, Value>) -> Result<(), Failure> {
+    let bytes = s.services.read_file(path).map_err(|e| Failure::Error(format!("cannot read {path}: {e}")))?;
+    effectcraft_engine::guard::guarded("template value validation", || {
+        let bad = |msg: String| EngineError::BadParams { cmd: "essential.importTemplate".into(), msg };
+        let (manifest, mut project, _) = effectcraft_engine::commands::essential::read_template(&bytes).map_err(bad)?;
+        let source = manifest.get("comp").and_then(Value::as_u64).ok_or_else(|| bad("manifest has no `comp`".into()))?;
+        let base = s.project.next_id;
+        let source = source.checked_add(base).ok_or_else(|| bad("template composition ID overflows the import offset".into()))?;
+        effectcraft_engine::project::essential::offset_ids(&mut project, base);
+        project.fix_next_id();
+        let mut check = Session::new();
+        check.project = project.into();
+        Ok(instantiate(&mut check, source, values))
+    })
+    .map_err(|e| Failure::Error(e.to_string()))?
+}
+
+pub(super) fn prepare(s: &mut Session, args: &Args) -> Result<(), Failure> {
+    let Some(path) = args.opt("--template") else { return Ok(()) };
+    let values = values(args)?;
+    if !values.is_empty() {
+        preflight(s, path, &values)?;
+    }
+    let imported = execute(s, "essential.importTemplate", json!({"path": path, "addToComp": false}))?;
+    let source = imported.get("comp").and_then(Value::as_u64).ok_or_else(|| Failure::Error("template import did not return a composition".into()))?;
+    instantiate(s, source, &values)
+}
+
+fn instantiate(s: &mut Session, source: u64, values: &Map<String, Value>) -> Result<(), Failure> {
+    // Duplicate and empty the source with commands: this preserves exact rational frame rate,
+    // Tick duration, background, work area and renderer settings without round-tripping floats.
+    let duplicate = execute(s, "project.duplicate", json!({"items": [source]}))?;
+    let parent = duplicate
+        .get("items")
+        .and_then(Value::as_array)
+        .and_then(|items| items.first())
+        .and_then(Value::as_u64)
+        .ok_or_else(|| Failure::Error("cannot create template render composition".into()))?;
+    execute(s, "comp.open", json!({"comp": parent}))?;
+    let layers: Vec<u64> = s
+        .project
+        .comp(ItemId(parent))
+        .ok_or_else(|| Failure::Error("template render composition is missing".into()))?
+        .layers
+        .iter()
+        .map(|layer| layer.id.0)
+        .collect();
+    if !layers.is_empty() {
+        execute(s, "layer.setSwitch", json!({"comp": parent, "layers": layers, "switch": "lock", "value": false}))?;
+        execute(s, "edit.clear", json!({"comp": parent, "layers": layers}))?;
+    }
+    let added = execute(s, "layer.addItem", json!({"comp": parent, "item": source, "time": 0}))?;
+    let instance = added.get("layer").and_then(Value::as_u64).ok_or_else(|| Failure::Error("cannot create template instance".into()))?;
+    // Keep a partial final frame: layer.addItem snaps its default end to the frame grid.
+    s.edit("Template Duration", None, |project, _| {
+        let comp = project.comp_mut(ItemId(parent)).ok_or(EngineError::NoComp)?;
+        let duration = comp.duration;
+        let layer = comp.layer_mut(LayerId(instance)).ok_or_else(|| EngineError::Other("template instance is missing".into()))?;
+        layer.out_point = duration;
+        Ok(())
+    })
+    .map_err(|e| Failure::Error(e.to_string()))?;
+    // Let the wrapper carry the source composition's authored motion blur.
+    execute(s, "layer.setSwitch", json!({"comp": parent, "layers": [instance], "switch": "motionBlur", "value": true}))?;
+    for (control, value) in values {
+        execute(s, "essential.set", json!({"comp": parent, "layer": instance, "control": control, "value": value}))?;
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
diff --git a/apps/effectcraft-cli/tests/qa_template.rs b/apps/effectcraft-cli/tests/qa_template.rs
index e6525561..ac67280e 100644
--- a/apps/effectcraft-cli/tests/qa_template.rs
+++ b/apps/effectcraft-cli/tests/qa_template.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 //! M13.15 scenario 5 — Essential Graphics through the CLI: a MOGRT-style template built by an
 //! After Effects-style script (`effectcraft-cli script`), its controls changed with commands on
-//! an instance, rendered, exported as a template and imported into a fresh project.
+//! an instance, rendered, exported as a template and imported into a fresh project. Direct
+//! template rendering uses the same original, procedural fixture under the project licence.
 
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::process::Command;
@@ -111,5 +112,543 @@ fn essential_graphics_template_via_script_and_commands() {
     assert!(imp["saved"].is_string(), "{imp}");
     let list = ok(&dir, &["exec", "essential.list", r##"{"comp":"Lower Third"}"##, "fresh.ecproj"]);
     assert_eq!(list["controls"].as_array().unwrap().len(), 3, "{list}");
+
+    // One-shot rendering applies the JSON values to an instance, preserving the template defaults.
+    let original_template = std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("values.json"), r##"{"Title":"John Smith","Bar Color":"#00c080","bar opacity":50}"##).unwrap();
+    ok(&dir, &["render-frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--values", "values.json", "--time", "1", "--out", "direct.png"]);
+    assert_eq!(image::open(dir.join("direct.png")).unwrap().to_rgba8(), edit);
+    ok(&dir, &["frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--frame", "12", "--out", "defaults.png"]);
+    assert_eq!(image::open(dir.join("defaults.png")).unwrap().to_rgba8(), plain);
+
+    let output = dir.join("sequence/direct_[#####].png");
+    let rendered = ok(
+        &dir,
+        &[
+            "render",
+            "--template",
+            "lt.ectemplate",
+            "--values",
+            "values.json",
+            "--out",
+            output.to_str().unwrap(),
+            "--format",
+            "png",
+            "--channels",
+            "rgb",
+            "--start",
+            "1",
+            "--end",
+            "1.0833333333333333",
+        ],
+    );
+    assert_eq!(rendered["rendered"].as_array().unwrap().len(), 1, "{rendered}");
+    let frames: Vec<_> = std::fs::read_dir(dir.join("sequence"))
+        .unwrap()
+        .map(|entry| entry.unwrap().path())
+        .filter(|path| path.extension().is_some_and(|extension| extension == "png"))
+        .collect();
+    assert_eq!(frames.len(), 1, "{frames:?}");
+    assert_eq!(image::open(&frames[0]).unwrap().to_rgba8(), edit);
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap(), original_template);
+
+    // Invalid values fail before the queue creates an output directory, or frame rendering
+    // overwrites an existing output. A JSON object and existing control names are required.
+    for (name, values, expected) in [
+        ("malformed", "{", "invalid JSON"),
+        ("array", "[]", "JSON object"),
+        ("unknown", r#"{"Subtitle":"x"}"#, "controls: Title, Bar Color, Bar Opacity"),
+        ("invalid-value", r#"{"Bar Opacity":"bad"}"#, "can't use"),
+    ] {
+        let values_file = format!("{name}.json");
+        std::fs::write(dir.join(&values_file), values).unwrap();
+        let output_dir = dir.join(format!("failed-{name}"));
+        let out = output_dir.join("frame_[#####].png");
+        let (code, error) = cli(&dir, &["render", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--values", &values_file, "--out", out.to_str().unwrap()]);
+        assert_eq!(code, 1, "{name}: {error}");
+        assert!(error["error"].as_str().unwrap().contains(expected), "{name}: {error}");
+        assert!(!output_dir.exists(), "{name}: invalid input created render output");
+        std::fs::write(dir.join("untouched.png"), b"existing output").unwrap();
+        let (code, error) = cli(&dir, &["render-frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--values", &values_file, "--out", "untouched.png"]);
+        assert_eq!(code, 1, "{name}: {error}");
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("untouched.png")).unwrap(), b"existing output");
+    }
+    let (code, error) = cli(&dir, &["render-frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--values", "missing-values.json", "--out", "missing.png"]);
+    assert_eq!(code, 1, "{error}");
+    assert!(error["error"].as_str().unwrap().contains("cannot read values"), "{error}");
+    assert!(!dir.join("missing.png").exists());
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("large-values.json"), vec![b' '; 1024 * 1024 + 1]).unwrap();
+    let (code, error) = cli(&dir, &["render-frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--values", "large-values.json", "--out", "large.png"]);
+    assert_eq!(code, 1, "{error}");
+    assert!(error["error"].as_str().unwrap().contains("exceeds 1 MiB"), "{error}");
+    assert!(!dir.join("large.png").exists());
+
+    for args in [
+        vec!["render-frame", "--values", "values.json"],
+        vec!["info", "--template", "lt.ectemplate"],
+        vec!["render-frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--comp", "Lower Third"],
+        vec!["render-frame", "t.ecproj", "--template", "lt.ectemplate"],
+        vec!["render", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--queue"],
+        vec!["render-frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--bridge", "1"],
+    ] {
+        let output = Command::new(env!("CARGO_BIN_EXE_effectcraft-cli")).current_dir(&dir).args(&args).output().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(output.status.code(), Some(2), "{args:?}: {}", String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stderr));
+    }
+
+    // File-loaded templates can use exact rational rates that comp.new's float parser rounds.
+    // Preserve that rate, Tick duration, work area, background and locked source layers.
+    let mut project = effectcraft_engine::project::Project::from_json(&std::fs::read_to_string(dir.join("t.ecproj")).unwrap()).unwrap();
+    let source = project.find_by_name("Lower Third").unwrap().id;
+    let rate = effectcraft_time::FrameRate::new(24001, 1001);
+    let comp = project.comp_mut(source).unwrap();
+    comp.frame_rate = rate;
+    comp.duration = rate.tick_of(24);
+    comp.work_area = (rate.tick_of(3), rate.tick_of(7));
+    comp.background = [0.08, 0.16, 0.24];
+    comp.layers.first_mut().unwrap().switches.locked = true;
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("rational.ecproj"), project.to_json()).unwrap();
+    ok(&dir, &["exec", "essential.exportTemplate", r#"{"comp":"Lower Third","path":"rational.ectemplate"}"#, "rational.ecproj"]);
+    let rational_template = std::fs::read(dir.join("rational.ectemplate")).unwrap();
+    let rational = ok(&dir, &["render-frame", "--template", "rational.ectemplate", "--frame", "5", "--out", "rational.png"]);
+    assert!((rational["time"].as_f64().unwrap() - 5.0 / rate.as_f64()).abs() < 1e-9, "{rational}");
+    assert_eq!((rational["width"].as_u64().unwrap(), rational["height"].as_u64().unwrap()), (320, 90));
+    let output = dir.join("rational-work-area/frame_[#####].png");
+    ok(&dir, &["render", "--template", "rational.ectemplate", "--work-area", "--out", output.to_str().unwrap(), "--format", "png", "--resolution", "0.05"]);
+    let count = std::fs::read_dir(dir.join("rational-work-area"))
+        .unwrap()
+        .filter_map(Result::ok)
+        .filter(|entry| entry.path().extension().is_some_and(|extension| extension == "png"))
+        .count();
+    assert_eq!(count, 4, "the template's exact work area contains frames 3 through 6");
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("rational.ectemplate")).unwrap(), rational_template);
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap(), original_template);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+}
+fn template_output_alias_fixture(case: &str) -> PathBuf {
+    let dir = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("ec-qa-template-output-{case}-{}", std::process::id()));
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("build.jsx"), BUILD).unwrap();
+    let built = ok(&dir, &["script", "build.jsx", "--save-as", "t.ecproj"]);
+    assert_eq!(built["output"], "controls: 3", "{built}");
+    let exported = ok(&dir, &["exec", "essential.exportTemplate", r#"{"comp":"Lower Third","path":"lt.ectemplate"}"#, "t.ecproj"]);
+    assert_eq!(exported["controls"], 3, "{exported}");
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("values.json"), r##"{"Title":"John Smith","Bar Color":"#00c080","bar opacity":50}"##).unwrap();
+    let template_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap();
+    let values_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("values.json")).unwrap();
+
+    // The same valid inputs must still render to a distinct output before testing aliases.
+    ok(&dir, &["render-frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--values", "values.json", "--time", "1", "--out", "ordinary.png"]);
+    let image = image::open(dir.join("ordinary.png")).unwrap().to_rgba8();
+    let bar = image.get_pixel(10, 75).0;
+    assert!(bar[0] < 15 && (bar[1] as i32 - 96).abs() < 8 && (bar[2] as i32 - 64).abs() < 8, "50 % of #00c080 over black: {bar:?}");
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap(), template_before);
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("values.json")).unwrap(), values_before);
+    dir
+}
+
+fn assert_template_output_preserves_inputs(dir: &PathBuf, out: &str) {
+    let template_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap();
+    let values_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("values.json")).unwrap();
+    // Read the inputs before interpreting the subprocess status or error text.
+    let result = Command::new(env!("CARGO_BIN_EXE_effectcraft-cli"))
+        .current_dir(dir)
+        .args(["render-frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--values", "values.json", "--time", "1", "--out", out, "--json"])
+        .output()
+        .unwrap();
+    let template_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap();
+    let values_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("values.json")).unwrap();
+    let template_preserved = template_after == template_before;
+    let values_preserved = values_after == values_before;
+    eprintln!(
+        "output={out:?} status={:?} template_preserved={template_preserved} values_preserved={values_preserved} template_bytes={}->{} values_bytes={}->{} stdout={} stderr={}",
+        result.status.code(),
+        template_before.len(),
+        template_after.len(),
+        values_before.len(),
+        values_after.len(),
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&result.stdout),
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&result.stderr),
+    );
+    assert!(template_preserved, "template rendering must preserve its template input when --out aliases that file");
+    assert!(values_preserved, "template rendering must preserve its values input when --out aliases that file");
+    assert!(!result.status.success(), "an output alias must fail before rendering overwrites an input");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn template_frame_output_cannot_replace_its_template_input() {
+    let dir = template_output_alias_fixture("template");
+    assert_template_output_preserves_inputs(&dir, "lt.ectemplate");
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn template_frame_output_cannot_replace_its_values_input() {
+    let dir = template_output_alias_fixture("values");
+    assert_template_output_preserves_inputs(&dir, "values.json");
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn template_frame_output_cannot_alias_its_template_through_parent_components() {
+    let dir = template_output_alias_fixture("normalized-template");
+    std::fs::create_dir(dir.join("alias")).unwrap();
+    let out = "alias/../lt.ectemplate";
+    assert_eq!(dir.join(out).canonicalize().unwrap(), dir.join("lt.ectemplate").canonicalize().unwrap());
+    assert_template_output_preserves_inputs(&dir, out);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+}
+
+fn timeline_tail_render_pair(dir: &PathBuf, name: &str, duration: effectcraft_time::Tick) {
+    let mut project = effectcraft_engine::project::Project::from_json(&std::fs::read_to_string(dir.join("base.ecproj")).unwrap()).unwrap();
+    let source = project.find_by_name("Lower Third").unwrap().id;
+    let comp = project.comp_mut(source).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(comp.frame_rate, effectcraft_time::FrameRate::new(12, 1));
+    comp.duration = duration;
+    comp.work_area = (effectcraft_time::Tick::ZERO, duration);
+    for layer in &mut comp.layers {
+        layer.out_point = duration;
+    }
+    assert!(comp.layers.iter().all(|layer| layer.is_active_at(effectcraft_time::Tick::from_seconds_f64(1.0))));
+    let project_name = format!("{name}.ecproj");
+    let template_name = format!("{name}.ectemplate");
+    let source_frame = format!("{name}-source.png");
+    let template_frame = format!("{name}-template.png");
+    std::fs::write(dir.join(&project_name), project.to_json()).unwrap();
+    let params = serde_json::json!({"comp":"Lower Third", "path":template_name}).to_string();
+    let exported = ok(dir, &["exec", "essential.exportTemplate", &params, &project_name]);
+    assert_eq!(exported["controls"], 3, "{exported}");
+    let project_before = std::fs::read(dir.join(&project_name)).unwrap();
+    let template_before = std::fs::read(dir.join(&template_name)).unwrap();
+
+    let direct = ok(dir, &["render-frame", &project_name, "--comp", "Lower Third", "--time", "1", "--out", &source_frame]);
+    let instance = ok(dir, &["render-frame", "--template", &template_name, "--time", "1", "--out", &template_frame]);
+    for result in [&direct, &instance] {
+        assert_eq!(result["time"].as_f64(), Some(1.0), "{name}: {result}");
+        assert_eq!((result["width"].as_u64(), result["height"].as_u64()), (Some(320), Some(90)), "{name}: {result}");
+    }
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join(&project_name)).unwrap(), project_before, "{name}: rendering preserves the source project bytes");
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join(&template_name)).unwrap(), template_before, "{name}: rendering preserves the exported template bytes");
+    let direct = image::open(dir.join(&source_frame)).unwrap().to_rgba8();
+    let instance = image::open(dir.join(&template_frame)).unwrap().to_rgba8();
+    assert_eq!(direct.dimensions(), (320, 90));
+    assert_eq!(instance.dimensions(), direct.dimensions());
+    let direct_bar = direct.get_pixel(10, 75).0;
+    let instance_bar = instance.get_pixel(10, 75).0;
+    assert!(
+        direct_bar[0] > 240 && direct_bar[1] < 15 && direct_bar[2] < 15,
+        "{name}: direct source has the authored red bar at the requested valid time: {direct_bar:?}"
+    );
+    let different = direct.pixels().zip(instance.pixels()).filter(|(a, b)| a != b).count();
+    eprintln!("{name}: duration={duration:?}, direct_bar={direct_bar:?}, instance_bar={instance_bar:?}, different_pixels={different}");
+    assert_eq!(different, 0, "{name}: the template instance must preserve every source pixel at the same valid time");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn template_instance_preserves_the_partial_final_source_frame() {
+    let dir = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("ec-qa-template-partial-tail-{}", std::process::id()));
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("build.jsx"), BUILD).unwrap();
+    let built = ok(&dir, &["script", "build.jsx", "--save-as", "base.ecproj"]);
+    assert_eq!(built["output"], "controls: 3", "{built}");
+
+    // Establish ordinary instance rendering before testing the final partial source frame.
+    timeline_tail_render_pair(&dir, "aligned", effectcraft_time::Tick::from_seconds_f64(2.0));
+    let partial = effectcraft_time::Tick(effectcraft_time::TICKS_PER_SECOND * 101 / 100);
+    assert_eq!(partial.seconds(), 1.01);
+    timeline_tail_render_pair(&dir, "partial", partial);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+}
+
+// Original procedural motion: the renderer supplies the expected pixels for both states.
+const GEOMETRY_BLUR_BUILD: &str = r#"
+app.beginUndoGroup("Build Blur Template");
+var comp = app.project.items.addComp("Blur Template", 160, 64, 1, 2, 24);
+var mover = comp.layers.addSolid([1, 0.3, 0.1], "Mover", 12, 16, 1, 2);
+var position = mover.property("ADBE Transform Group").property("ADBE Position");
+position.setValueAtTime(0, [16, 32]);
+position.setValueAtTime(1, [144, 32]);
+position.setInterpolationTypeAtKey(1, KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR, KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR);
+position.setInterpolationTypeAtKey(2, KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR, KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR);
+mover.motionBlur = true;
+comp.motionBlur = true;
+comp.shutterAngle = 180;
+comp.shutterPhase = -90;
+mover.property("ADBE Transform Group").property("ADBE Opacity").addToMotionGraphicsTemplateAs(comp, "Opacity");
+app.endUndoGroup();
+"#;
+
+fn geometry_blur_difference(a: &image::RgbaImage, b: &image::RgbaImage) -> usize {
+    assert_eq!(a.dimensions(), b.dimensions());
+    a.pixels().zip(b.pixels()).filter(|(a, b)| a != b).count()
+}
+
+fn geometry_blur_assert_inputs(dir: &std::path::Path, inputs: &[(&str, Vec<u8>)]) {
+    for (name, before) in inputs {
+        assert_eq!(&std::fs::read(dir.join(name)).unwrap(), before, "template rendering preserves input {name}");
+    }
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn template_wrapper_preserves_authored_motion_blur() {
+    let dir = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("ec-qa-template-authored-blur-{}", std::process::id()));
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("motion.jsx"), GEOMETRY_BLUR_BUILD).unwrap();
+    let built = ok(&dir, &["script", "motion.jsx", "--save-as", "moving.ecproj"]);
+    assert_eq!(built["ok"], true, "{built}");
+
+    // Check the authored switch/key setup, then use an unchanged top-level composition as
+    // the production pixel oracle. No expected raster or threshold is synthesized here.
+    let project = effectcraft_engine::project::Project::from_json(&std::fs::read_to_string(dir.join("moving.ecproj")).unwrap()).unwrap();
+    let source = project.find_by_name("Blur Template").unwrap().id;
+    let comp = project.comp(source).unwrap();
+    assert!(comp.enable_motion_blur);
+    assert_eq!(comp.frame_rate, effectcraft_time::FrameRate::new(24, 1));
+    assert_eq!(comp.layers.len(), 1);
+    assert!(comp.layers[0].switches.motion_blur);
+    assert_eq!(comp.layers[0].props.prop("transform/position").unwrap().keys.len(), 2);
+    let exported = ok(&dir, &["exec", "essential.exportTemplate", r#"{"comp":"Blur Template","path":"moving.ectemplate"}"#, "moving.ecproj"]);
+    assert_eq!(exported["controls"], 1, "{exported}");
+
+    // The positive control disables only the source layer's authored Motion Blur switch.
+    // It retains the same geometry, timing, source comp settings and template-control values.
+    ok(
+        &dir,
+        &[
+            "run",
+            "moving.ecproj",
+            "layer.setSwitch",
+            r#"{"comp":"Blur Template","layers":["Mover"],"switch":"motionBlur","value":false}"#,
+            "--save-as",
+            "unblurred.ecproj",
+        ],
+    );
+    let exported = ok(&dir, &["exec", "essential.exportTemplate", r#"{"comp":"Blur Template","path":"unblurred.ectemplate"}"#, "unblurred.ecproj"]);
+    assert_eq!(exported["controls"], 1, "{exported}");
+    let inputs: Vec<_> = ["moving.ecproj", "moving.ectemplate", "unblurred.ecproj", "unblurred.ectemplate"]
+        .into_iter()
+        .map(|name| (name, std::fs::read(dir.join(name)).unwrap()))
+        .collect();
+
+    ok(&dir, &["render-frame", "moving.ecproj", "--comp", "Blur Template", "--time", "0.5", "--transparent", "--out", "direct-blur.png"]);
+    geometry_blur_assert_inputs(&dir, &inputs);
+    ok(&dir, &["render-frame", "unblurred.ecproj", "--comp", "Blur Template", "--time", "0.5", "--transparent", "--out", "direct-unblurred.png"]);
+    geometry_blur_assert_inputs(&dir, &inputs);
+    ok(&dir, &["render-frame", "--template", "unblurred.ectemplate", "--time", "0.5", "--transparent", "--out", "template-unblurred.png"]);
+    geometry_blur_assert_inputs(&dir, &inputs);
+    let blurred = image::open(dir.join("direct-blur.png")).unwrap().to_rgba8();
+    let unblurred = image::open(dir.join("direct-unblurred.png")).unwrap().to_rgba8();
+    let template_unblurred = image::open(dir.join("template-unblurred.png")).unwrap().to_rgba8();
+    assert_eq!(blurred.dimensions(), (160, 64));
+    assert_eq!(unblurred.dimensions(), (160, 64));
+    assert!(blurred.pixels().any(|p| p.0[3] > 0), "the direct blurred source is visible");
+    assert!(unblurred.pixels().any(|p| p.0[3] > 0), "the direct unblurred source is visible");
+    let authored_blur_difference = geometry_blur_difference(&blurred, &unblurred);
+    assert!(authored_blur_difference > 0, "the real source renderer must show the authored motion blur");
+    assert_eq!(template_unblurred, unblurred, "an unblurred template preserves its source pixels");
+    eprintln!("CLI_TEMPLATE_BLUR_CONTROLS_PASSED source_blur_vs_source_unblurred={authored_blur_difference}");
+
+    ok(&dir, &["render-frame", "--template", "moving.ectemplate", "--time", "0.5", "--transparent", "--out", "template-blur.png"]);
+    geometry_blur_assert_inputs(&dir, &inputs);
+    let template_blurred = image::open(dir.join("template-blur.png")).unwrap().to_rgba8();
+    let differing_pixels = geometry_blur_difference(&template_blurred, &blurred);
+    let unblurred_difference = geometry_blur_difference(&template_blurred, &unblurred);
+    eprintln!(
+        "template authored-blur result: source_vs_template_differing_pixels={differing_pixels}, template_vs_unblurred_differing_pixels={unblurred_difference}"
+    );
+    assert_eq!(differing_pixels, 0, "template wrapper must preserve authored source motion blur");
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn template_unknown_control_does_not_replace_extracted_media() {
+    let temp_root = std::env::temp_dir().canonicalize().unwrap();
+    let dir = temp_root.join(format!("ec-qa-template-embedded-media-{}", std::process::id()));
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("build.jsx"), BUILD).unwrap();
+    let built = ok(&dir, &["script", "build.jsx", "--save-as", "t.ecproj"]);
+    assert_eq!(built["output"], "controls: 3", "{built}");
+
+    // Both PNGs are generated here; the template uses an ordinary file-backed footage layer.
+    image::RgbaImage::from_pixel(2, 2, image::Rgba([30, 60, 90, 255])).save(dir.join("source.png")).unwrap();
+    let imported_reply = ok(&dir, &["exec", "file.import", r#"{"paths":["source.png"]}"#, "t.ecproj", "--save"]);
+    let imported = &imported_reply["result"];
+    assert!(imported["errors"].as_array().unwrap().is_empty(), "{imported}");
+    let items = imported["items"].as_array().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(items.len(), 1, "{imported}");
+    let item = items[0].as_u64().unwrap();
+    let params = serde_json::json!({"comp": "Lower Third", "item": item, "position": [8, 8], "time": 0}).to_string();
+    ok(&dir, &["exec", "layer.addItem", &params, "t.ecproj", "--save"]);
+    let exported = ok(&dir, &["exec", "essential.exportTemplate", r#"{"comp":"Lower Third","path":"lt.ectemplate"}"#, "t.ecproj"]);
+    assert_eq!(exported["controls"], 3, "{exported}");
+    let info = ok(&dir, &["exec", "essential.templateInfo", r#"{"path":"lt.ectemplate"}"#, "--empty"]);
+    let media = info["media"].as_array().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(media.len(), 1, "{info}");
+    let files = media[0]["files"].as_array().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(files.len(), 1, "{info}");
+    let entry = files[0].as_str().unwrap();
+    let relative = std::path::Path::new(entry.strip_prefix("media/").unwrap());
+    assert_eq!(relative.components().count(), 2, "{entry}");
+    assert!(relative.components().all(|part| matches!(part, std::path::Component::Normal(_))), "{entry}");
+    assert_eq!(relative.file_name().unwrap(), "source.png");
+    let extracted = dir.join("lt Media").join(relative);
+    assert!(extracted.starts_with(&dir));
+
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("values.json"), r##"{"Title":"John Smith","Bar Color":"#00c080","bar opacity":50}"##).unwrap();
+    let template_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap();
+    let valid_values_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("values.json")).unwrap();
+    let source_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("source.png")).unwrap();
+    ok(&dir, &["render-frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--values", "values.json", "--time", "1", "--out", "ordinary.png"]);
+    let ordinary = image::open(dir.join("ordinary.png")).unwrap().to_rgba8();
+    let bar = ordinary.get_pixel(10, 75).0;
+    assert!(bar[0] < 15 && (bar[1] as i32 - 96).abs() < 8 && (bar[2] as i32 - 64).abs() < 8, "known control values rendered: {bar:?}");
+    let footage = ordinary.get_pixel(8, 8).0;
+    assert!(
+        (footage[0] as i32 - 30).abs() <= 2 && (footage[1] as i32 - 60).abs() <= 2 && (footage[2] as i32 - 90).abs() <= 2 && footage[3] == 255,
+        "embedded footage rendered: {footage:?}"
+    );
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&extracted).unwrap(), source_before, "ordinary render extracted the declared embedded PNG");
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap(), template_before);
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("values.json")).unwrap(), valid_values_before);
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("source.png")).unwrap(), source_before);
+    let ordinary_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("ordinary.png")).unwrap();
+
+    // Keep a different valid PNG at the exact extraction path and an existing render output.
+    image::RgbaImage::from_pixel(2, 2, image::Rgba([220, 10, 20, 255])).save(&extracted).unwrap();
+    let sentinel_before = std::fs::read(&extracted).unwrap();
+    assert_ne!(sentinel_before, source_before);
+    std::fs::copy(dir.join("ordinary.png"), dir.join("failed.png")).unwrap();
+    let output_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("failed.png")).unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("bad-values.json"), r#"{"Subtitle":"x"}"#).unwrap();
+    let invalid_values_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("bad-values.json")).unwrap();
+
+    // Capture every file before interpreting status/JSON, so a failed command cannot hide a write.
+    let result = Command::new(env!("CARGO_BIN_EXE_effectcraft-cli"))
+        .current_dir(&dir)
+        .args(["render-frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--values", "bad-values.json", "--time", "1", "--out", "failed.png", "--json"])
+        .output()
+        .unwrap();
+    let template_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap();
+    let valid_values_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("values.json")).unwrap();
+    let invalid_values_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("bad-values.json")).unwrap();
+    let source_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("source.png")).unwrap();
+    let ordinary_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("ordinary.png")).unwrap();
+    let output_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("failed.png")).unwrap();
+    let sentinel_after = std::fs::read(&extracted).unwrap();
+    let media_preserved = sentinel_after == sentinel_before;
+    eprintln!(
+        "EMBEDDED_MEDIA_OBSERVATION status={:?} media_preserved={media_preserved} source_preserved={} output_preserved={} stdout={} stderr={}",
+        result.status.code(),
+        source_after == source_before,
+        output_after == output_before,
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&result.stdout),
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&result.stderr)
+    );
+    assert_eq!(result.status.code(), Some(1));
+    let reply: Value = serde_json::from_slice(&result.stdout).unwrap();
+    let error = reply["error"].as_str().unwrap();
+    assert!(error.contains("no control named `Subtitle`") && error.contains("controls: Title, Bar Color, Bar Opacity"), "{reply}");
+    assert_eq!(template_after, template_before);
+    assert_eq!(valid_values_after, valid_values_before);
+    assert_eq!(invalid_values_after, invalid_values_before);
+    assert_eq!(source_after, source_before);
+    assert_eq!(ordinary_after, ordinary_before);
+    assert_eq!(output_after, output_before);
+    eprintln!("EMBEDDED_MEDIA_UNKNOWN_CONTROL: valid ordinary render and actual unknown-control failure verified");
+    assert!(media_preserved, "invalid template values must fail before overwriting previously extracted media");
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn template_missing_output_does_not_replace_extracted_media() {
+    let temp_root = std::env::temp_dir().canonicalize().unwrap();
+    let dir = temp_root.join(format!("ec-qa-template-missing-output-{}", std::process::id()));
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("build.jsx"), BUILD).unwrap();
+    let built = ok(&dir, &["script", "build.jsx", "--save-as", "t.ecproj"]);
+    assert_eq!(built["output"], "controls: 3", "{built}");
+
+    // Both PNGs are generated here; the template uses an ordinary file-backed footage layer.
+    image::RgbaImage::from_pixel(2, 2, image::Rgba([30, 60, 90, 255])).save(dir.join("source.png")).unwrap();
+    let imported_reply = ok(&dir, &["exec", "file.import", r#"{"paths":["source.png"]}"#, "t.ecproj", "--save"]);
+    let imported = &imported_reply["result"];
+    assert!(imported["errors"].as_array().unwrap().is_empty(), "{imported}");
+    let items = imported["items"].as_array().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(items.len(), 1, "{imported}");
+    let item = items[0].as_u64().unwrap();
+    let params = serde_json::json!({"comp": "Lower Third", "item": item, "position": [8, 8], "time": 0}).to_string();
+    ok(&dir, &["exec", "layer.addItem", &params, "t.ecproj", "--save"]);
+    let exported = ok(&dir, &["exec", "essential.exportTemplate", r#"{"comp":"Lower Third","path":"lt.ectemplate"}"#, "t.ecproj"]);
+    assert_eq!(exported["controls"], 3, "{exported}");
+    let info = ok(&dir, &["exec", "essential.templateInfo", r#"{"path":"lt.ectemplate"}"#, "--empty"]);
+    let media = info["media"].as_array().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(media.len(), 1, "{info}");
+    let files = media[0]["files"].as_array().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(files.len(), 1, "{info}");
+    let entry = files[0].as_str().unwrap();
+    let relative = std::path::Path::new(entry.strip_prefix("media/").unwrap());
+    assert_eq!(relative.components().count(), 2, "{entry}");
+    assert!(relative.components().all(|part| matches!(part, std::path::Component::Normal(_))), "{entry}");
+    assert_eq!(relative.file_name().unwrap(), "source.png");
+    let extracted = dir.join("lt Media").join(relative);
+    assert!(extracted.starts_with(&dir));
+
+    std::fs::write(dir.join("values.json"), r##"{"Title":"John Smith","Bar Color":"#00c080","bar opacity":50}"##).unwrap();
+    let template_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap();
+    let valid_values_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("values.json")).unwrap();
+    let source_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("source.png")).unwrap();
+    ok(&dir, &["render-frame", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--values", "values.json", "--time", "1", "--out", "ordinary.png"]);
+    let ordinary = image::open(dir.join("ordinary.png")).unwrap().to_rgba8();
+    let bar = ordinary.get_pixel(10, 75).0;
+    assert!(bar[0] < 15 && (bar[1] as i32 - 96).abs() < 8 && (bar[2] as i32 - 64).abs() < 8, "known control values rendered: {bar:?}");
+    let footage = ordinary.get_pixel(8, 8).0;
+    assert!(
+        (footage[0] as i32 - 30).abs() <= 2 && (footage[1] as i32 - 60).abs() <= 2 && (footage[2] as i32 - 90).abs() <= 2 && footage[3] == 255,
+        "embedded footage rendered: {footage:?}"
+    );
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(&extracted).unwrap(), source_before, "ordinary render extracted the declared embedded PNG");
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap(), template_before);
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("values.json")).unwrap(), valid_values_before);
+    assert_eq!(std::fs::read(dir.join("source.png")).unwrap(), source_before);
+    let ordinary_before = std::fs::read(dir.join("ordinary.png")).unwrap();
+
+    // Keep a different valid PNG at the normal extraction path before a usage error.
+    image::RgbaImage::from_pixel(2, 2, image::Rgba([220, 10, 20, 255])).save(&extracted).unwrap();
+    let sentinel_before = std::fs::read(&extracted).unwrap();
+    assert_ne!(sentinel_before, source_before);
+
+    // Observe writes before interpreting the actual CLI usage exit.
+    let result = Command::new(env!("CARGO_BIN_EXE_effectcraft-cli"))
+        .current_dir(&dir)
+        .args(["render", "--template", "lt.ectemplate", "--values", "values.json", "--json"])
+        .output()
+        .unwrap();
+    let template_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("lt.ectemplate")).unwrap();
+    let values_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("values.json")).unwrap();
+    let source_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("source.png")).unwrap();
+    let output_after = std::fs::read(dir.join("ordinary.png")).unwrap();
+    let sentinel_after = std::fs::read(&extracted).unwrap();
+    let media_preserved = sentinel_after == sentinel_before;
+    let stderr = String::from_utf8_lossy(&result.stderr);
+    eprintln!(
+        "MISSING_OUTPUT_OBSERVATION status={:?} media_preserved={media_preserved} source_preserved={} output_preserved={} stdout={} stderr={stderr}",
+        result.status.code(),
+        source_after == source_before,
+        output_after == ordinary_before,
+        String::from_utf8_lossy(&result.stdout),
+    );
+    assert_eq!(result.status.code(), Some(2), "{stderr}");
+    assert!(stderr.contains("render: --out FILE is required (or --queue)"), "{stderr}");
+    assert_eq!(template_after, template_before);
+    assert_eq!(values_after, valid_values_before);
+    assert_eq!(source_after, source_before);
+    assert_eq!(output_after, ordinary_before);
+    assert!(!dir.join("frame.png").exists(), "a missing render output must not create a default frame");
+    eprintln!("MISSING_OUTPUT_REQUIRED_OUT: valid ordinary render/extraction and actual required-output usage failure verified");
+    assert!(media_preserved, "missing --out must fail before overwriting previously extracted media");
     let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
 }
diff --git a/docs/agents.md b/docs/agents.md
index 207406f5..cc4e5c2b 100644
--- a/docs/agents.md
+++ b/docs/agents.md
@@ -232,6 +232,14 @@ build real projects through these interfaces; they are worked examples of everyt
 * **Essential Graphics**: controls can be addressed by name (`essential.set {"layer":"#1",
   "control":"Title","value":"John Smith"}`); a command that targets an explicit `comp` runs even
   when the active comp would disable it (`essential.exportTemplate {"comp":"Lower Third", …}`).
+  The CLI also renders an exported template directly:
+  `effectcraft-cli render --template lt.ectemplate --values values.json --out 'title_[#####].png'`.
+  `values.json` is an object such as `{"Title":"John Smith","Bar Color":"#00c080","Bar Opacity":50}`;
+  names follow `essential.set`, including its case-insensitive matching. Values override one
+  imported instance; the template file and its source controls keep their defaults. Omit
+  `--values` to render those defaults, or use the same options with `render-frame` for a PNG.
+  Values must fit in 1 MiB. Invalid JSON, unknown controls and invalid values fail before rendering.
+  Template mode cannot be combined with `--project`, `--demo`, `--bridge`, `--queue` or `--comp`.
 * **History**: Levels of Undo defaults to 32 (`prefs.set {"key":"general.undoLevels","value":99}`);
   `history` lists branches and `history {"goto": id}` jumps between them. A command that changes
   nothing (a value set to what it already is) records no undo step. `get_state` reports `dirty`