published jun 27, 2026
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In this guide, you will learn how to use a free AI-enhanced video editor with Claude through an Anthropic API key or MCP connection. You can use it to have AI automatically transcribe, caption, cut, and color grade your own raw footage.
By the end, you will have a Palmier Pro project with raw footage imported, an AI agent connected, and a repeatable workflow for turning longer clips into short-form edits.
The finished workflow has three practical pieces.
You will also have the optional MCP command ready if you want Claude Code or Codex to work with the open Palmier project from outside the in-app chat.
You only need Palmier Pro, an Anthropic API key, and a video file you have permission to edit. Start with a normal raw clip before trying to automate a complicated project.
Palmier Pro can also run as an MCP server for external agents. In Palmier Pro, open Help > MCP Instructions, or run one of these commands while Palmier is open.
claude mcp add --transport http palmier-pro http://127.0.0.1:19789/mcp
codex mcp add palmier-pro --url http://127.0.0.1:19789/mcpUse MCP when you want Claude Code or Codex to inspect a project, create an edit plan, organize clips, add captions, or build repeatable short-form workflows outside the in-app chat.
Download Palmier Pro for macOS (https://github.com/palmier-io/palmier-pro/releases/latest/download/PalmierPro.dmg), install it, and open a new project.
Palmier's docs say the editor and MCP server are free to use, while generative AI features use paid-plan credits. For this guide, focus on editing your own footage with Claude instead of generating new video from scratch.
Pro tip Keep the first project simple. A single five-minute clip is enough to test whether the AI edit workflow is useful.
Go to Anthropic's API key page (https://platform.claude.com/settings/keys) and create a new key. Name it something obvious like Palmier Pro.
If Anthropic asks you to set up billing or credits, complete that before using the key in Palmier. Copy the key when Anthropic shows it, because you may not be able to reveal it again later.
Pro tip Treat the key like a password. Do not show it in a screen recording, screenshot, public doc, or shared project file.
In Palmier Pro, open Settings > Agent and paste your Anthropic API key into the agent settings.
This connects Palmier's in-app chat to your Anthropic account so you can ask Claude to edit the project. If the chat does not respond, recheck the key and make sure Palmier Pro is open to the project you want to edit.
Drag a video into Palmier Pro, or import a file from your Mac. Start with something simple, such as a five-minute raw clip, interview, product video, tutorial, or talking-head recording.
You do not need a prepared editing project or a complicated timeline. The goal is to give Claude normal raw footage and ask it to make a useful first pass.
Open the Palmier chat and ask Claude to turn the raw clip into a short-form version. Use this prompt.
Edit this down to about one minute. Keep the strongest moments, remove dead air, and preserve the main point.Review the first cut before asking for polish. Claude can move quickly, so check that the shortened video still makes sense before continuing.
Pro tip If the first cut removes something important, ask Claude to restore that section before you ask for captions or visual polish.
After the first cut, ask Claude to add captions and make the video easier to watch. Use this prompt.
Add captions, improve the pacing, and apply light color or crop/keyframe polish where it helps. Keep the edit natural and make sure the main point stays clear.Review the captions for timing and readability. Keep color grading, crops, and keyframes light unless the video clearly needs a stronger style.
Use the same three-pass cycle every time you make short-form content in Palmier Pro.
Watch the video yourself before posting it. Fix aggressive cuts, awkward caption timing, and color changes that look too heavy.
Pro tip Save the prompts that work best for your content. Over time, those prompts become your short-form editing template.
When the edit is ready, use Palmier Pro's export option. For short-form publishing, export a finished video file unless you specifically need to continue editing somewhere else.
Palmier's docs also list NLE XML export options for editor handoff. Watch the exported file once before posting it so you catch caption mistakes, awkward cuts, or color changes.
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