Descript API

Use the Descript API to automate imports, trigger Underlord edits, and build integrations — without opening the app. For the full endpoint reference with request schemas and code samples, see the API documentation.

Looking to control Descript by chatting with an AI assistant? Start with the Descript MCP overview, or go directly to Claude, ChatGPT, or custom MCP setup.

This article covers:

Using the API or MCP can use your media minutes and AI credits. 

When you use Descript through the API or MCP, imports and edits will consume media minutes and AI credits.

For example, importing a file will use media minutes, and running Underlord edits like Studio Sound, filler word removal, or captions can use AI credits.

For more info, see Track and understand your media minutes and AI credits.

What is an API?

Think of the API as a waiter at a Descript restaurant. You place your order, the waiter takes it to the kitchen, and when your food is ready, the waiter brings it back to you. The API works the same way — you send a request, Descript processes it in the background, and then gives it to your waiter, who brings it directly to you.

Before you can order though, the waiter needs to know you're actually a customer. That's what your API token is for — think of it as your access badge. It proves the request is coming from you and tells Descript which drive to work with. Without a valid token, the API won't accept your requests.

New to APIs? Here's a glossary of important terms and acronyms.

Glossary of key concepts

API token: A unique key that authenticates your requests — like a password that lets your tools talk to Descript. Each token is tied to a specific drive. Don't share your API token with others. Keep it secret, keep it safe.

Job: Any long-running operation (importing media, running an agent edit). Each job has an ID and a status you can check.

Media minutes and AI credits: Importing and processing media consumes media minutes from your plan. Underlord edits consume AI credits. If you run out of either, requests will return a 402 error.

Projects and compositions: A container for your content in Descript. When you import media through the API, it creates a new project. A project can have multiple compositions — for example, a rough cut and a final version. When importing, you can specify how clips are arranged in a composition. Learn more about projects and compositions.

What can I do with the API?

Here's what you can do with the Descript API/MCP today:

  • Import media from a URL or upload a local file. Transcription runs automatically.
  • Edit with Underlord: add captions, remove filler words, apply Studio Sound, generate scenes, create highlight reels, and anything else Underlord can do.
  • Create a project from a prompt as part of an automated workflow.
  • Target a specific composition in a project.
  • Find and manage projects in your drive. Search by name, filter by date, and open the compositions inside any project.
  • Organize with folders. Import into a named folder path, with nested folders created automatically.
  • Publish finished projects to a Descript web link and get back signed URLs.
  • Track progress as import, agent, and publish jobs run.

How to create your API token

Your API key authenticates your requests and connects them to a specific Descript drive. Each token is tied to one drive, so if you work across multiple drives, you'll need a separate key for each.

  1. Go to your Descript account settings and click the API tokens section.
  2. Click Create token.
    Create API token button in Descript account settings
  3. Give your token a name and select the Descript drive it should be tied to. When you're ready, click Create token.
    Name and assign API token dialog
  4. Copy and store your token in a safe place — you won't be able to view it again. If you lose it, you'll need to generate a new one.
    API token generated modal showing the token value

Keep your token private

Anyone with your token can make API requests on your behalf, consuming your media minutes and AI credits. Keep it secret; keep it safe!

Choose how to use the API

Zapier, the command line, direct HTTP, and AI coding tools are all just different ways to talk to the same API.

Example requests

  • "Create a Descript project from this video URL"
  • "Add Studio Sound and captions to my latest project"
  • "Make a 30-second highlight reel from my project"
  • "Write a script about how to make great coffee and create a video from it"

Zapier — Connect Descript to your existing workflows

Connect Descript, set your trigger (new file, new recording, new post), and then feed a prompt to Underlord. Best for teams already comfortable with Zapier, or anyone who wants to wire this into existing automation workflows without touching code.

Set up with Zapier

  1. Create a Zapier account (it's free!) and use this link to gain access to the Descript <> Zapier integration.
    Install Descript Zapier app
  2. In Zapier, create a new Zap.
    Create Zap button in Zapier
  3. After adding a trigger of your choice, add a new Action step.
    Add action step in Zapier
  4. Search for and select the Descript API.
    Select Descript app in Zapier search
  5. Choose the event to run. Currently, the options are Import Media and Edit with AI (Underlord).
    Choose Zapier event for Descript

  6. In the Account section, select or connect your Descript account by entering your API token.
    The Account field in Zapier where you enter your Descript API token

    Use your own private, personal API token

    Use your own API token. Once connected, it will appear as a Personal connection in Zapier.

    Do not share this connection with your Zapier organization. Each team member should create their own.

    If your Zap uses multiple Descript steps (e.g., Import Media and Edit with AI), select this same connection for each one. Mismatched connections will cause errors.

  7. Continue configuring the action fields and test the step.

Command line

Install the CLI, drop in your API key, and run imports and edits from your terminal. It handles polling and shows live progress — useful for testing before you build something real. Good for technical users who want to test things quickly.

Set up the CLI

Direct API

Call the API directly over HTTP. You own the logic — job orchestration, error handling, webhooks, the whole thing. Good for engineering teams standing up production workflows.

Read the API documentation

Claude Code

Connect the Descript MCP to Claude Code (or Codex, or Cursor) to build your own custom integration on top of the API. This gives your vibecoding tool of choice context into the Descript API. See Use Descript with an AI assistant (MCP) for those steps.

Known limitations

  • No local export endpoint. You can publish projects to Descript web links and get back signed URLs to the mp4, but exporting local files directly via the API without publishing is not yet supported. You'll need to do this manually in Descript for now.
  • YouTube URLs are not supported as import sources.
  • Job history is available for 30 days. After that, job records are no longer accessible.
  • Single-drive scope. Editing a project on a different drive than your connection is scoped to will return an error.
  • Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zapier limitations:
    • Zapier: When importing media from Google Drive or Dropbox, select the File field in your action config (not Media URL or DownloadURL). Standard share links and download URLs will return errors. Imported files are limited to 1 GB.
    • Direct API: Standard share links won't work because they point to a webpage, not the file itself. Convert them to direct download links before passing them to the API.
    • CLI: Use a Google Drive or Dropbox share link directly — the CLI converts it to a direct download link automatically. Make sure the file is set to "Anyone with the link can view." Very large files may not work due to Google's virus scan blocking the download.

For updates and discussion, join the Descript API Discord.