How to Edit Videos with Claude Code (No Video Editing Software Required)
Turn massive screen recordings into web-ready videos in minutes. Trim, compress, and convert videos using plain English commands—no FFmpeg knowledge needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Claude Code edit videos without FFmpeg installed?
Claude Code will check if FFmpeg is installed and offer to install it for you if it's missing. On Mac, it uses Homebrew (brew install ffmpeg). You don't need to know anything about FFmpeg—Claude handles all the commands.
How much can Claude Code compress a video file?
Compression depends on the source material, but dramatic reductions are common. A 336MB screen recording can be compressed to under 10MB while maintaining good quality for web playback. Claude optimizes settings based on your target use case.
Can I use Claude Code to edit videos for social media?
Yes. Claude Code can resize videos for Instagram (1080x1080), TikTok (1080x1920), YouTube Shorts (1080x1920), LinkedIn, and Twitter. It handles aspect ratio changes, compression for platform limits, and can batch process multiple videos at once.
Do I need to learn FFmpeg commands to use Claude Code for video editing?
No. That's the whole point. You describe what you want in plain English ('trim this video to the first 30 seconds and make it under 10MB') and Claude Code figures out the FFmpeg commands. You never see or write the technical syntax.
Can Claude Code add text, watermarks, or overlays to videos?
Yes. Claude Code can add text overlays, watermarks, subtitles, and combine multiple video clips. It uses FFmpeg's filter system but you just describe what you want—'add a watermark in the bottom right corner' or 'add subtitles from this SRT file.'
How long does video processing take with Claude Code?
Processing time depends on video length and your computer's specs. A 5-minute 1080p video typically processes in 1-3 minutes. Claude shows you progress and will let you know if something is taking longer than expected.
Can Claude Code extract audio from videos?
Yes. Claude Code can extract audio tracks as MP3, WAV, M4A, or any other format. It can also normalize audio levels, remove background noise (with additional tools), and combine audio from multiple sources.
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