How to Set Up Claude to Edit Videos
Claude setup · A step-by-step guide
Claude Code sounds like a coder thing. It's not. No terminals. No GitHub. It looks almost the exact same as normal Claude, you're just talking to it. Here's the whole setup, start to finish, in about 20 minutes.
By Torsten Roscoe · Video editor and entrepreneur
Watch: Claude Code edits my videos now
Sound familiar?
- “Claude CODE? Bro, I make videos. I'm not a coder.”
- It sounds like a huge learning curve.
- Not only do you have to buy something, now you need another subscription?
- You're short on time. You just need somewhere to start.
Same. I'm not a coder either. And you don't need to be. Once this is set up, the only limit you have as a creator is hitting record.
What you need
- The Claude app. It's the only thing you download yourself. Get it at claude.ai/download, for Mac or Windows.
- A paid Claude plan. Claude Code only comes with a paid plan. The cheapest one is about 20 bucks a month. That's one takeout dinner for an editor that works while you sleep.
- About 20 minutes. And you only do this once. Ever.
The setup, step by step
1. Open the Code tab
Open the Claude app and click the Code tab. Hit New, and make sure it says Local. It's the same Claude, just in a different tab, and it can do way, way more.
2. Give Claude a home
Make a new folder and call it Claude Editing. That's Claude's home. Everything it makes for you gets saved right there.
3. Tell Claude to install its tools
Claude needs a few free tools to edit. You don't have to go find any of them. You just tell Claude to install them:
- FFmpeg cuts your video and exports it.
- Node and Remotion build your captions and animations.
- Python runs the little helpers Claude uses.
- Whisper listens to your video and writes down every word, so Claude knows what you said.
Just copy this message:
Hey Claude, I want to edit short-form videos with you. Install FFmpeg, Node, Python and Whisper for me, then set up Remotion so you can make captions and animations. Explain each one in plain English, and tell me what to click if anything pops up.
4. Here's what happens, so you don't freak out
- Claude asks you before it installs anything. Every time. Just click yes.
- On a Mac, you'll probably get a pop-up asking to install developer tools. Click Install. It might ask for your password a couple of times. That one takes a few minutes, so go grab a coffee.
- On Windows, you'll get a box asking “Do you want to allow this app to make changes?” Click yes.
- Whisper downloads a pretty big file the first time. Let it run.
5. Stuck? Ask Claude first
If something goes wrong, tell Claude what you see, or send it a screenshot. It'll tell you what's going on and fix it. Don't get something? Ask it: “Explain that like I'm 10.”
6. Give it a real video
Drag your raw clip into your Claude Editing folder and type something like: “Yo, let's edit this Instagram reel using my (blank) skill.” Then here's how to talk to it once the edit comes back.
Your setup checklist
- Do I have the Claude app and a paid plan?
- Am I in the Code tab, set to Local?
- Do I have a Claude Editing folder?
- Did Claude install FFmpeg, Node, Remotion, Python and Whisper?
- Did I drop in one short clip to test?
You can build all of this yourself
Everything in this guide works. But once it's set up, you still have to teach Claude how to edit. Fill your folders, give it notes, and fix the same mistakes, again and again, until it finally edits like you. That takes months.
And most of you don't have months, right? You're shooting, editing, running a business, all at once.
Just like Nijah. She's a solopreneur, running a business with a full-time job on top. Here's what she left in her review:
“As a solopreneur and with a full time job, it's hard managing social media and video creation, so having an easier workflow is principal.” Nijah, verified buyer
Well, look what she says now:
“Now it will be a no brainer to video edit, because I can just talk to Claude and make changes with voice dictation. Voila. Let it cook.” Nijah, verified buyer
That's the AI Editing Bundle
The same skills and rulebooks behind every video I post. And it's super easy to set up. Claude installs it all for you, and you can start editing today.
Here's what Mark left in his review, right after he got it:
“Awesome stuff. Right out the box, edited a solid usable video!” Mark R., verified buyer
If that sounds like you, go grab the AI Editing Bundle.
If not, no stress. Build your own with the steps above.
About Torsten
I've been in the content game for over 2 years and edited over a thousand videos. My editing packs are used by the editors behind creators like Jake Paul and Kevin O'Leary. Now Claude edits my videos, and I teach other creators to do the same on YouTube and Instagram.
Questions people ask
Do I need to know how to code?
No. No terminals, no GitHub. You're just talking to it, like normal Claude or ChatGPT.
Another subscription? What does Claude cost?
About 20 bucks a month for the cheapest paid plan. The free plan doesn't come with Claude Code.
Does it work on Mac and Windows?
Yes, both.
How long does setup take?
About 15 to 20 minutes, and you only do it once.
What if something breaks during setup?
Tell Claude what you see or send it a screenshot. It'll explain what's going on and fix it.
More Claude editing guides
- How to edit videos with Claude (the simple guide)
- How to make Claude edit videos in your style
- Why your Claude edits look like AI slop
- How to turn long videos into shorts with Claude
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic. Claude and Claude Code are trademarks of Anthropic.