# Start Your First Edit Source: [Start Your First Edit]() Documentation index: [llms.txt]() Last updated: 2026-10-09 This walkthrough takes one project from empty to an exported file. The steps are the same in ChatCut Desktop, the web app, and the Agent Plugin; where a surface behaves differently, it is called out. If you have not chosen one yet, see [Web, Desktop, and Agent Plugin](https://pr-444-preview.chatcut.dev/docs/chatcut-products). You need a ChatCut account and, ideally, one video or audio file. If you have no footage, you can still finish this walkthrough by generating a clip in step 3. ## 1\. Open a project Sign in to ChatCut. If your account has no project yet, ChatCut creates one and opens the editor. To start another project, select the **Home** icon in the top bar, then **New project** in the project dashboard. On a phone, the project picker fills the screen and keeps search, sorting, and account actions within reach. ## 2\. Add your media Open **My Assets → Upload** and choose **Files…**, **Folder…**, or **From phone…**. The files become project assets you can reuse in every timeline of that project. You can also attach a file directly in the AI panel with **Upload (+)**. That attachment is context for the current message only — it does not become a project asset. See [My Assets / Media Pool](https://pr-444-preview.chatcut.dev/docs/my-assets) for the difference. Wait until the asset card finishes processing before using it in generation or export. ## 3\. Describe the edit ![The ChatCut AI composer with a reference file attached and the Agent, model, and Send controls visible](https://pr-444-preview.chatcut.dev/docs-media/product-docs/what-is-chatcut/attach-media-and-send-prompt.png) Enter what you want in the Prompt composer at the bottom of the **AI** panel, then select **Send message**. - Keep the composer in **Agent** when ChatCut should read the project and edit the timeline for you — for example, “Cut @interview down to 60 seconds and remove the filler words.” - Switch to **Video Gen** when you want to configure and submit one video-generation job instead. On an empty conversation, workflow cards may fill the composer with a starter prompt. Selecting a card does not start the task; edit the text, then send it. Manual editing, uploads, and export do not use credits. AI generation does, and ChatCut may show a confirmation card with an estimate before it runs — see [Generation Confirmations and Auto-Allow](https://pr-444-preview.chatcut.dev/docs/generation-confirmations). ## 4\. Review the result Agent progress and questions appear in the conversation, new media appears in **My Assets**, and edits appear in the active **Timeline**. Play the result in the **Viewer**. Anything the agent did is a normal timeline edit: drag clips to move them, drag an edge to trim, and use **Undo** if a change went further than you wanted. To keep a restore point before the next pass, open **Versions** and select **Save Current Version**. On a phone, switch to the bottom **Timeline** tab to review the Viewer and tracks. Touch-drag the ruler to seek, a clip to move it, or a clip edge to trim; long-press a card in **My Assets** or **Library** to place it on the Timeline. ## 5\. Export ![The top of the ChatCut editor with Undo, Versions, Workspace, Export, and Credits controls](https://pr-444-preview.chatcut.dev/docs-media/product-docs/what-is-chatcut/review-and-export.png) Select **Export** in the top bar and choose what to deliver: video, audio, subtitles, transparent graphics, or an editable project file for another editor. Manual web video and audio export automatically chooses browser or cloud rendering. If you ask the Agent Plugin to export video or audio, it defaults to the open editor’s browser renderer and reports an error if unavailable; cloud export requires an explicit request. ChatCut Desktop renders video on your own computer, including 4K and HDR on capable hardware. See [Web vs Desktop Export](https://pr-444-preview.chatcut.dev/docs/web-export-limits) and [Export Panel](https://pr-444-preview.chatcut.dev/docs/exporting). ## What to read next - [AI Panel Overview](https://pr-444-preview.chatcut.dev/docs/ai-panel-overview) — every control in the AI panel and what it changes. - [Editor Layout](https://pr-444-preview.chatcut.dev/docs/editor-overview) — a button-by-button tour of the editor. - [Talking Head Edit](https://pr-444-preview.chatcut.dev/docs/talking-head-edit) — the most common first real project.