> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pictory.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Pictory Claude Skills

> Create finished videos by describing them in plain English. Claude Skills teach Claude Code how to use the Pictory API like an expert

Pictory Claude Skills let you create videos by having a conversation. Instead of writing
API requests by hand, you tell [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) what video
you want, in plain English, and the skill handles everything else: writing the script,
designing the scenes, choosing visuals, adding a voice-over and music, calling the
Pictory API, and handing you the finished video link.

## What is a Claude Skill?

A Claude Skill is a folder of instructions and reference material that teaches Claude
Code how to do a specific job well. When you ask for something the skill covers, Claude
Code loads it automatically and follows it. There are no commands to memorize.

The **Pictory Text-to-Video skill** teaches Claude Code to be a video producer. It knows
the Pictory API inside out: every request field, which fonts and colors work well
together, how to pace narration so scenes don't run long, how to lay out text and shapes
like a designer, and how to submit and track a render job.

## What you can create

Once the skill is installed, you can say things like:

* *"Create a 60-second explainer about our new expense-tracking feature, professional
  tone, for YouTube."*
* *"Make a vertical Instagram teaser for our coffee brand: warm, cozy, upbeat music."*
* *"Turn this script into a tutorial video with step-by-step diagrams."* (paste your script)
* *"A 30-second product launch teaser for a smart lamp. Futuristic look, use
  AI-generated visuals."*

The skill plans the video scene by scene, shows you the plan, renders it through your
Pictory account, and returns the MP4 link, typically in a few minutes.

## What happens behind the scenes

<Steps>
  <Step title="You describe the video">
    Topic, or a full script if you have one. The skill asks about anything important
    that's missing: video format, voice-over, music, whether AI-generated visuals are
    okay. Say "you decide" and it picks sensible defaults.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Claude writes and designs">
    It writes narration paced for a natural voice-over, picks a color palette and fonts
    that match the mood, designs each scene's layout, and chooses stock footage (or
    generates AI visuals if you opted in).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pictory renders">
    The skill submits the video to the Pictory API with your API key and checks progress
    every 30 seconds, keeping you posted.
  </Step>

  <Step title="You get the video">
    A direct MP4 link, a shareable player link, and, if saved as a project, an
    editable copy in your Pictory workspace at app.pictory.ai. Want changes? Just say
    what to change and it re-renders.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What you need

| Requirement                | Details                                                                                                    |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Claude Code                | Anthropic's AI coding assistant, free to install: [claude.com/claude-code](https://claude.com/claude-code) |
| A Claude plan              | Pro, Max, Team, or an Anthropic API key                                                                    |
| A Pictory API subscription | The skill renders through your account: [get an API key](https://app.pictory.ai/api-access)                |
| Python 3                   | Pre-installed on macOS and most Linux systems; used by the skill's helper script                           |

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Install & Configure" icon="download" href="/claude-skills/text-to-video-setup">
    Get the skill running in about five minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create Videos" icon="clapperboard" href="/claude-skills/text-to-video-usage">
    Example prompts, tips, and troubleshooting
  </Card>
</CardGroup>