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Pictory runs an MCP server at https://mcp.pictory.ai/mcp. Point an AI assistant at it and the assistant gains a set of Pictory tools: you describe the video you want, it creates it through your Pictory account, and it hands you the finished link. You do not need an API key or an API subscription. Sign in with your Pictory account. Your plan or eligible Free Trial determines your available features and usage.
Motion graphics for Pictory 3.0 accounts. Create animated text, charts, diagrams, and scenes through conversation, then open the saved project in Pictory 3.0 for further editing. Explore motion graphics.

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Why Use the MCP Server

The connector lets your assistant work with Pictory for you. You can:
  • Describe a video instead of writing code.
  • Choose from the voices, brand kits, and media available to your account.
  • Review a preview and ask for changes in the same conversation.
  • Get links to watch, share, and download the finished video.
  • Open a saved motion graphics project in Pictory 3.0 to continue editing.

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What You Need

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Connect

Cursor and Windsurf have their own configuration screens, covered on their pages. --callback-port 3118 is required for Claude Code. It completes the sign-in on a local listener, and Pictory checks that address against a registered list, so a random port fails before you can log in. Step-by-step instructions, with screenshots, are on Connect from Claude, Connect from Claude Code, and Connect from ChatGPT.

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Which Video Type Will I Get?

Pictory 2.0 and Pictory 3.0 are versions of the Pictory video app. Your account determines the only type of new video you can create through the MCP connector: The assistant checks your account automatically. It does not ask you to choose between these video types. Pictory 3.0 users do not need separate activation for Motion Graphics. The MCP server rejects Motion Graphics creation requests from Pictory 2.0 accounts.
Moving to Pictory 3.0 is a one-way change. If you use Pictory 2.0 and want Motion Graphics, contact Pictory support to enable Pictory 3.0 for your account. After your account moves to Pictory 3.0, you cannot switch back to Pictory 2.0. New videos you create through MCP will use Motion Graphics only.

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What the Assistant Can Do

Within the video type your account supports, the assistant can help with: Only Standard videos ask whether Pictory designs the scenes or you design them together. For motion graphics, choose a Brand Kit 2.0 from Pictory 3.0 or None and set the creative direction. The project is saved automatically. There is no separate choice to save it. Both workflows are described on the Pictory MCP Server page.

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A Motion Graphics Conversation

This example uses a Pictory 3.0 account on a plan that charges AI Credits for rendering.
You: Create a motion graphics video about the advantages of AI in a job search.
The assistant offers your Brand Kit 2.0 choices from Pictory 3.0, then asks about your audience, narration, music, transitions, and any media preferences you have not already given. You can choose stock media, AI images or clips, both, or none. A video about AI does not imply AI-generated media. Finalize narration, narrator, music, and scene count before creation; later chat revisions change the visual design, not those choices.
You: No Brand Kit. Use animated headlines and diagrams, an encouraging narrator, and gentle background music. Show me a preview.
The assistant creates the project and shares a preview. You can ask for visual revisions or open the project link to continue editing in the Motion Studio editor in Pictory 3.0.
You: Make the comparison in scene two clearer, then finish the video.
The assistant updates the preview, checks the latest render cost, and waits for confirmation.
Assistant: Here is the updated preview. The video is 60 seconds long. You have 500 AI Credits, and rendering this version will use 200 credits. Would you like to render it now? You: Yes, render this version.
The assistant starts rendering and shares watch and download links when it finishes. It asks for confirmation even if your first message said to render, or the render costs zero credits. On plans that charge render credits, Motion Graphics videos made through MCP cost 200 AI Credits per video minute for the project’s first successful render. Minutes are rounded to two decimal places: 7 seconds uses 0.12 minutes and costs 24 credits. Later renders of the same project use no additional motion render credits. Eligible Enterprise and API Self-Service plans do not pay AI Credits for motion rendering. Voice-over and AI media use separate allowances or credits. Free Trial renders include Pictory watermarks and a Pictory-branded outro. The automatic outro is excluded from the render charge. See credits and rendering.

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A Standard Video Conversation

This example uses a Pictory 2.0 account.
You: Create a 30-second explainer about how coffee is roasted, for YouTube.
The assistant checks the account and uses Standard video. It then settles who designs the scenes, whether the video is narrated and in which voice, whether it has background music, whether to include subtitles, the shape, and whether to keep the result as an editable project. Under the AI storyboard it also asks whether you want a preview first or the finished video straight away, unless you already said.
You: Pictory designs it. Narrated, pick a warm voice, music yes, no subtitles. Preview first.
It builds the storyboard, gives you a link, and waits.
You: Make the title on scene two smaller, then render it.
Edits to wording, size, color, placement, a clip or the music are applied to the preview in place, at the same link. Only a new scene or a new element needs a fresh preview. Then it renders and returns the video. Stock media and music cost nothing. AI-generated visuals draw AI Credits, and premium narration draws premium voice minutes, both from the account that signed in.

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Get the New Features: Existing Users

Disconnect Pictory, remove the existing connector or server registration, then add it again and sign in with the same account. Start a new conversation after reconnecting. In Claude, follow the steps for existing users. In ChatGPT, follow Get New Features. Your existing Pictory projects stay in your account.

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Troubleshooting

Cause: Pictory 2.0 accounts can create only Standard Pictory videos through MCP.Resolution: Contact Pictory support to enable Pictory 3.0 for your account. After this one-way move, you cannot switch back to Pictory 2.0. You will get Motion Graphics by default, and it will be the only type of new video you can create through MCP. You do not need an API subscription to use the connector.
Cause: The return address the client used is not one Pictory recognizes. In Claude Code this means the server was added without --callback-port 3118.Resolution: Remove the server, add it again with the flag exactly as shown above, and sign in.
Cause: The client reads the tool list once the server is authenticated, and shows none for a server that is connected but not signed in, or switched off for this conversation.Resolution: Confirm the server shows as signed in, switch it on in the conversation’s tools menu where the client has one, then start a new conversation.
Cause: The sign-in has expired, or the connected account does not have access to the requested feature or sufficient remaining usage.Resolution: Check the subscription at app.pictory.ai. Disconnect and reconnect to sign in again.
Cause: Clients read the tool list when they connect, so a tool added since then is not visible.Resolution: Follow Get the new features: existing users, then start a new conversation.

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Next Steps

Pictory MCP Server

Standard videos, motion graphics, and the options available through your connection

Connect from Claude

The custom connector setup, step by step with screenshots

Connect from Claude Code

The terminal setup, scopes, sign-out and troubleshooting

Connect from ChatGPT

The plugin setup in ChatGPT, step by step with screenshots

Pictory for Claude

The MCP server and the Text-to-Video skill, compared