AI Edit My Video: Send Clips, Say What You Want, Get an MP4
If you want AI to edit your video for you, connect Cut Express to Claude, send your clips and say what you want in plain words. Claude watches the footage, decides the cuts and captions, and Cut Express renders an MP4 you can post. You give notes in the same chat and get the next version.
There’s no timeline to drag and no template to fill. This guide covers what to send, what to tell Claude and which decisions stay with you.
How does a video editor that edits for you work?
Cut Express connects to Claude as an MCP connector. When you ask for an edit, four things happen:
- Claude looks at your clips. It gets contact sheets (frames labelled with source time) for every clip. It can also get a timestamped transcript of what is said.
- Claude writes the edit. Every cut and caption goes into a small JSON timeline, along with the grade and audio.
- Cut Express renders it. You get an MP4, usually in less time than the video’s own length at 1080p.
- You give notes. Claude edits the same timeline and renders the next version. Every version is kept.
The thinking runs on your own Claude plan. Cut Express does the rendering, and no AI on its side second-guesses your instructions.
How do I get AI to edit my video?
- Connect Cut Express. Follow the setup guide. It works in Claude.ai and Claude Desktop, and in Claude Code for local files.
- Send your clips. Drop them in the upload panel in chat. In Claude Code you can upload local folders. See how to upload footage.
- Say what you want. Where it will be posted and how long it should run.
- Watch the render. The video player shows up in chat.
- Give notes until it’s right. Plain words are enough.
What should I tell Claude about my video?
The more Claude knows about the goal, the better the first cut. These are the details that matter most:
| Tell Claude | Example |
|---|---|
| Where it goes | “Instagram Reel” or “YouTube video” |
| Format | 9:16 or 16:9 |
| Length | “Under 30 seconds” |
| What to keep | “The part where I explain pricing” |
| Caption look | “Bold, yellow highlight, 3 words per line” |
| Mood | “Fast and punchy” or “calm, warm grade” |
| Music | Upload a track, or say “no music” |
A full first request might look like this:
Edit these clips into a 30-second Instagram Reel, 9:16. Open on the shot where I hold up the product. Cut my pauses, add pop captions and a warm grade. Use the music track I uploaded, quieter under my voice. End with the text “Link in bio”.
If you have a reel you want to copy, upload it as a reference. Claude breaks it down shot by shot and rebuilds it with your footage. The reference is never cut in.
What do my notes look like after the first render?
Short and specific. Each note changes the same timeline:
Make the intro tighter. Move the captions up so they don’t cover my hands. Now make a 16:9 version for YouTube.
You don’t redo anything. If a change goes wrong, ask Claude to go back to the previous version.
What do I still decide?
Claude handles the editing work. A few calls are still yours:
- The goal. Who the video is for and what it should make them do.
- The footage. Claude can only work with what you shot.
- The final say. Watch each render before posting. Claude can misjudge which moment matters most to you.
- Taste. If something feels off, say so, even if you can’t name why. “This feels slow in the middle” is a useful note.
When should I use a person or a timeline editor instead?
A chat-based editor suits short-form and YouTube videos with a simple structure. A human editor is still the better pick for story-driven films and frame-perfect timing. Read the honest breakdown in can I replace my video editor with AI?. For a deeper walk through the workflow, see how to edit videos with Claude.
FAQ
Do I need editing experience?
No. You describe the result in plain words. Knowing what you want helps more than knowing editing terms.
What formats can it make?
9:16 for vertical platforms and 16:9 for YouTube. MP4 (H.264), 1080p on Pro and 2K on Ultra.
How long can my video be?
Up to 10 minutes on Pro and 30 minutes on Ultra. Uploads can be up to 2 GB per file on Pro and 4 GB on Ultra.
What happens to my files?
They are stored privately for your account and used only to render. Delete them from the Media page or ask Claude to.
Let Claude edit your next video
Send your clips and say what you want.
Free for 14 days, then Pro is $19/month. Cancel before the trial ends and nothing is charged.