> ## 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 for Claude

> Two ways to create videos by describing them to Claude: the Pictory MCP server, which works in Claude and Claude Code with your Pictory account, and the Text-to-Video skill for Claude Code

Pictory works with Claude in two ways. Both let you create finished, narrated, subtitled videos
by describing them in plain English; they differ in where they run and how they sign in.

|               | Pictory MCP Server                                     | Text-to-Video Skill                                                                 |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Works in      | Claude on the web, desktop and mobile, and Claude Code | Claude Code                                                                         |
| Setup         | Add the server and sign in once                        | Install the skill folder and add your API key                                       |
| Signs in with | Your Pictory account                                   | Your Pictory API key                                                                |
| Best for      | Anyone who uses Claude; conversations anywhere         | Developers who want the skill's design playbook and helper script in their terminal |

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Pictory MCP Server" icon="plug" href="/claude-mcp/overview">
    What the server can do, its tools and the two design modes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect from Claude" icon="comments" href="/claude-mcp/claude-app">
    Add the connector in Claude on the web; it follows your account to desktop and mobile
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect from Claude Code" icon="terminal" href="/claude-mcp/claude-code">
    One command in the terminal, then sign in
  </Card>

  <Card title="Text-to-Video Skill" icon="download" href="/claude-skills/text-to-video-setup">
    Install the skill in Claude Code in about five minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## The Text-to-Video skill

The skill lets you create videos by having a conversation in
[Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code). Instead of writing API requests by hand, you
tell 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 do not 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 is
    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>