clipkit — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Connects AI agents to video generation tools via the Clipkit schema. Useful when generating promo clips, auto-syncing captions, and validating frames in chat.
claude mcp add --transport http clipkit https://www.clipkit.dev/mcpWhat clipkit does
The server provides agent tools that speak the Clipkit JSON schema directly. Instead of dealing with an ad-hoc video syntax, an assistant builds scenes, places text overlays, adds audio, and configures tracks. Calling create_promo turns an ordered scene list into an edited draft, while preview_still returns an actual PNG frame back to the chat for a fast visual check.
Speech recognition runs via an in-process Whisper instance through transcribe_to_captions. It produces word-level timestamps without remote uploads or an extra API token. Individual timeline tweaks happen via edit_element, or the agent can replace the entire timeline with set_project.
Project state remains strictly in memory for the duration of the MCP session. Without CLIPKIT_API_KEY, shared projects are anonymous and expire after 7 days. Cloud rendering to MP4 with render_video requires a paid API key because video encoding consumes team credits.
What it helps with
- generate promo videos from ordered scene descriptions
- create word-level video captions using an embedded Whisper model
- inspect rendered frame stills directly within the agent chat
- validate timeline elements and resolve font atlas or duration warnings
Example prompts for the agent
- Build a three-scene promo video for our CLI release and show me a preview frame
- Transcribe interview.mp4 into timed captions and place them on the timeline
- Validate the current project layout and give me an editor URL
How to install clipkit
Platform CLI: remote server
claude mcp add --transport http clipkit https://www.clipkit.dev/mcpPlatform CLI: remote server
codex mcp add mcp-server --url https://www.clipkit.dev/mcpConfig file
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp-server": {
"url": "https://www.clipkit.dev/mcp"
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"mcp-server": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://www.clipkit.dev/mcp"
}
}
}Platform CLI: remote server
gemini mcp add -t http mcp-server https://www.clipkit.dev/mcpStep by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about clipkit
How to install clipkit in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add --transport http clipkit https://www.clipkit.dev/mcp in your terminal.
What does the clipkit MCP server do?
It equips coding agents with tools to construct, inspect, and render timeline video compositions using structured JSON.
Do I need a Clipkit API key to use this server?
You can assemble scenes, transcribe audio with Whisper, and open editor links without a key, though anonymous projects expire after 7 days. CLIPKIT_API_KEY is required for permanent team storage and cloud rendering via render_video.
