This is the setup guide from the reel. invideo has an MCP server that lets Claude work inside the invideo video editor: placing clips, adding titles, transitions, effects and keyframed animation on a real multitrack timeline. You get an editable project, not just a flat video file. Below are the setup steps and a set of prompts for the paper cut-out collage look you see in documentary explainers.
What you need
Claude on the web or desktop (or Claude Code). Your normal Claude plan limits apply.
An invideo account. invideo says its Editor is free to connect, and that normal editing through MCP (timeline edits, transcription, subtitles, audio cleanup) uses no invideo credits. Generating new images, video or audio, and stock sourcing, do use credits.
Your own assets: a voiceover or script, plus cut-out images (PNG with transparent background), paper or texture backgrounds, and any photos you have the rights to use.
The invideo MCP page.
Step by step
Add invideo to Claude. On the invideo MCP page, choose Claude and click "Add invideo to Claude". Or do it by hand: in Claude go to Customize > Connectors > + > Add custom connector, name it
invideo, and paste:
https://mcp.invideo.io/mcpSign in with your invideo account when asked.
In Claude Code, run this instead, then claude --continue, then /mcp and authenticate:
claude mcp add --transport http --scope user invideo https://mcp.invideo.io/mcpinvideo also offers a setup prompt you can give your agent (pointing it at https://invideo.io/agents.md). The page says the agent will ask before changing settings, and you do any restart or sign-in yourself.
Create a project and upload your assets. Make a new project in invideo Editor. Upload your voiceover, cut-outs and textures, organised into folders such as
backgrounds,cutouts,photosandaudio. Claude Desktop can also upload local files for you.Share the project link with Claude and set the style. Paste this, filling in the brackets:
Here is my invideo project: [project link]. Timeline name: [name].
Build a 60-second 16:9 explainer about [topic] in a paper collage
style, using only the assets in my project.
Style rules:
- Background: a paper or cardboard texture from /backgrounds on the
bottom track for the whole video.
- Layers: stack cut-outs from /cutouts and /photos on separate tracks
so each piece can move on its own.
- Motion: pieces slide or pop in with short, slightly jerky keyframes
(hold each position for a few frames) so it feels like stop-motion,
not smooth digital motion.
- Each new idea in the voiceover gets a new collage scene. Cut on the
beat of the narration.
- Titles: bold, simple text on torn-paper style strips, 3 to 6 words
each, kept editable.
- Leave the voiceover track timing unchanged.
First give me a scene-by-scene plan with timestamps. Wait for my OK
before building the timeline.Approve, then let it build. Reply "OK, build it" or change the plan first. Claude's edits appear on the timeline as it works, and you can make your own edits at the same time.
Use a reference for pacing (optional). invideo's guide shows Claude can copy editing choices from a reference video: pacing, transitions, title placement and animation, using your own assets. Use a video you made, or describe the feel you want, rather than copying another channel's look.
Match the pacing and title animation of the reference from 0:10 to 0:25
for scenes 2 and 3 only. Keep my assets, wording and colours. Do not
change the intro or the closing card.Revise in small steps.
Scene 4 feels slow. Cut it by 2 seconds, add one more cut-out entering
from the left, and make the title appear 0.5 seconds earlier.Export. Ask Claude to render the timeline as an MP4, or export a project for Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve. invideo keeps the editable timeline so you can revise later.
Good to know
No dedicated collage feature. invideo's MCP docs don't mention a collage or paper cut-out mode. The look comes from your assets plus layered tracks, keyframes and effects. Good cut-outs and textures matter more than the prompt.
New chats don't remember. invideo recommends starting each new Claude chat with a short handover: project link, brief, approved choices and next task.
Credits. Editing is free of invideo credits; generating media and stock sourcing are not. Check invideo's pricing page before generating a lot.
Use your own style and rights-cleared assets. Don't copy another publisher's branding, and only use photos and music you have rights to.
Disclosure. If you generate images or video with AI, label it as AI content where the platform requires it. If invideo or anyone else pays you to promote this, add a paid partnership label.
Team plans. On Claude Team or Enterprise, an admin must add the connector first.
Sources
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