---
title: "Render a DSL template draft to PDF"
method: POST
path: "/api/v1/preview"
tags: ["render"]
---

# Render a DSL template draft to PDF

`POST /api/v1/preview`

## Request

- Base URL: `https://makespdf.com`
- URL: `https://makespdf.com/api/v1/preview`
- Auth: HTTP bearer

Render inline builder DSL with data while authoring a template. Free and not billed; limited to 200 renders per hour. Publish with POST /api/v1/render.

## Request body

- object
  - `dsl` string, required: Builder DSL script. Reference: https://makespdf.com/skills/pdf-template-author.md
  - `data` object: Values substituted into {{placeholders}}. Defaults to the script's sampleData.
  - `options` object
    - `title` string

## Response `200`

Rendered PDF (PDF/A-2A + PDF/UA-1 dual-compliant, tagged). Send `Accept: application/json` for metadata instead of bytes.

- RenderMetadata: Returned instead of PDF bytes when the request sends `Accept: application/json`.
  - `success` true, required
  - `templateId` string: Stored template rendered (/render only).
  - `pageCount` integer, required
  - `sizeBytes` integer, required
  - `renderMs` integer, required
  - `artifactId` string: Render artifact id; download again via GET /api/v1/artifacts/{id}/pdf.
  - `templateWarnings` unknown[]
    - unknown
  - `layoutWarnings` unknown[]
    - unknown
  - `credits_deducted` integer
  - `remaining_balance` integer
  - `paid` object
    - `payer` string
    - `txHash` string

## Other responses

- `400`: Malformed body or failed validation. Never billed.
- `401`: Missing or invalid Bearer token. The body links the docs, llms.txt and the auth skill.
- `429`: Rate limit exceeded.
- `500`: Unexpected server error. Never billed.

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/makespdf/apis/makespdf-api.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/makespdf/apis/makespdf-api/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc.dev/makespdf/apis/makespdf-api/revisions/b3042c8646ef?raw)