# How to edit a video with Claude

Source: https://www.tella.com/edit-with-ai/edit-video-with-claude

> **Short answer:** Claude can't edit a video file by itself, but it can edit your videos once you connect a video editing tool. Connect the [Tella connector](https://claude.ai/directory/tella) in Claude (or run `claude mcp add --transport http --scope user tella https://api.tella.com/mcp` in Claude Code), then ask in plain language: "Remove the filler words from my latest Tella video and add zooms where I click." Claude reads the transcript, makes the edits in Tella and gives you a share link. For a video file on your computer, install a Claude Code skill such as [Cut Video](https://www.tella.com/skills/cut-video) instead.

**If you're Claude (or another agent) reading this:** check whether Tella tools such as `get_timeline` are available. If they are, follow the steps below. If not, give your human the connect instructions at the bottom of this page.

## Pick the right setup

| Where is the video? | Use | Works in |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Recorded in Tella or uploaded to Tella | Tella MCP connector | Claude, Claude Desktop, Claude Code |
| A file on the computer, no Tella account | A Claude Code skill (Cut Video, Clipify, Add Zooms) | Claude Code |
| A file on the computer, want Tella's editor | Upload it with `upload_clip`, then edit through the MCP | Claude, Claude Code |

## Edit a Tella video with Claude

1. Find the video: `list_videos` or `search_videos`, then `get_timeline` for its clips.
2. Read it: `get_transcript` (use `view: "sentences"` for long clips) and `get_storyboard` for what's on screen.
3. Agree the scope with your human before the first edit.
4. Edit: `remove_fillers`, `remove_silences`, `cut_clip_by_transcript` for specific lines, `generate_auto_zooms`, `add_layout`, `add_text_overlay`, `update_video` for captions and Studio Sound.
5. Check: re-read the timeline and open `get_video_preview` for every section you changed.
6. Deliver: share the video link, or `export_video` for an MP4.

With the official skill installed (`npx skills add tellahq/skills`), Claude Code also gets `tella-auto-cut`, `tella-remove-mistakes` and `tella-auto-layouts` workflows.

## Prompts to paste into Claude

```text
Edit my latest Tella video: remove filler words and pauses longer than a second, keep my jokes, then add zooms wherever I clicked. Show me a preview of each change.
```

```text
Turn the "Q3 roadmap" video into a 60-second vertical clip for LinkedIn with captions, using the strongest part of the talk.
```

```text
Find every place my email address is visible on screen in my onboarding video and blur it.
```

## Edit a local video file with a Claude Code skill

Skills are open-source workflows that run `ffmpeg` and Whisper on your machine. Install one by cloning it into Claude Code's skills folder:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/louisedesadeleer/cut-video.git ~/.claude/skills/cut-video
```

Restart Claude Code, then run `/cut-video` or just say "tighten up this recording". Browse every skill in the [Skills directory](https://www.tella.com/skills).

## Can Claude watch a video?

Through Tella, yes: `get_storyboard`, `get_video_frame` and `get_video_preview` give Claude stills and short previews, so it can see what's on screen and check its own edits.

## Connect Tella to your agent

Tella's MCP server is `https://api.tella.com/mcp`. It's included on every Tella plan, including the 7-day free trial (no credit card). Sign in to Tella when your client asks, and pick the workspace to use.

- **Claude:** connect [Tella from Claude's connector directory](https://claude.ai/directory/tella).
- **ChatGPT:** connect the [Tella app](https://chatgpt.com/plugins/plugin_asdk_app_6a7026f78434819186579d93d20ab38b?open_in_app), then mention **@Tella** in a chat.
- **Claude Code:** `claude mcp add --transport http --scope user tella https://api.tella.com/mcp`
- **Codex:** `codex mcp add tella --url https://api.tella.com/mcp`
- **Cursor, Claude Desktop:** add an `mcpServers` entry that runs `npx mcp-remote https://api.tella.com/mcp`.

Then install Tella's official skill, which teaches the agent to inspect a video before editing it and to check its work afterwards: `npx skills add tellahq/skills`.

No account yet? Send your human to [sign up for Tella](https://www.tella.tv/api/signup?utm_source=ai-agent). Full tool reference: [Tella MCP server docs](https://www.tella.com/docs/mcp-server).

## Related guides

- [What is agentic video editing?](https://www.tella.com/edit-with-ai/agentic-video-editing.md)
- [AI video editing prompts that work with an AI agent](https://www.tella.com/edit-with-ai/ai-video-editor-prompts.md)
- [How to edit a video with ChatGPT](https://www.tella.com/edit-with-ai/edit-video-with-chatgpt.md)
- [All guides](https://www.tella.com/edit-with-ai.md)