Use Descript with an AI assistant (MCP)

Use the Descript MCP to control Descript from an AI assistant like Claude or ChatGPT. Describe what you want in plain English, no code required.

If you're looking to automate Descript with code, Zapier, or the command line, see the Descript API overview instead.

This article covers:

Media minutes and AI credits

Importing media or running Underlord edits through MCP will use your media minutes and AI credits. For more info, see Track and understand your media minutes and AI credits.

What is an MCP?

MCP stands for Model Context Protocol. It's a standard that lets AI assistants connect to external tools — like Descript — so they can actually do things on your behalf, not just talk about them.

Without an MCP connection, an AI assistant like Claude can only explain how to add captions in Descript. With the Descript MCP connected, your AI assistant can import and edit things in Descript without you ever opening the app.

What can I do with the Descript MCP?

The MCP connects through your Descript login, so there's no API token needed. When you authenticate, you'll select a Descript Drive to connect to your Descript assistant.

Once connected, you can ask your AI assistant to handle most of what you'd normally do in Descript— import media, edit with Underlord, manage projects, and export to a web link — all in plain English.

Here's what the MCP can do today:

  • Import media from a URL or directly from your computer.
  • Edit with Underlord — transcribe, add captions, remove filler words, apply Studio Sound, generate scenes, create highlight reels, and anything else Underlord can do.
  • Target a specific composition in a project, instead of always editing the main one.
  • Find and manage projects in your Drive — search by name, filter, and pull up the compositions inside any project.
  • Organize with folders — import files straight into a named folder.
  • Publish finished projects and get back a share page link.
  • Watch progress live as Import, Agent, and Publish jobs run.

The AI assistant can also pull in context from other connected tools (the web, Slack messages, Notion docs, Google Drive files, etc) and use that to give Underlord richer instructions.

Example prompts:

  • "Import this video from my desktop into my 'Podcasts' folder and transcribe it"
  • "Add Studio Sound and remove filler words from the second composition"
  • "Find my 'Q2 Review' project and create a 60-second highlight reel"
  • "Write a script about how to make great coffee, turn it into a video, and publish it"

How to connect Descript to your AI assistant

The MCP is scoped to a single drive. You can only create and access projects on the drive you choose. Make sure you're signed into Descript on the drive you want to connect to your assistant.

If you need to switch drives, log out of Descript on the web, then reconnect the MCP.

Claude

Descript is currently available as a custom connector in Claude. This means you'll add it manually using a server URL rather than selecting it from a built-in list. We're working on getting Descript into the official Anthropic connector store so setup will be even easier in the future.

Before getting started

  • Connecting to Claude requires the Claude desktop app. It does not require an API token — you will sign in to Descript directly during setup.
  • Use Chat mode rather than Cowork for the best experience with the Descript MCP.
  • Make sure the right settings are enabled in Claude. Go to Settings → Capabilities and confirm network egress and code execution are toggled on. If you don't have access to these settings, ask your Claude admin to enable them.
  • You'll also need access to Connectors under the Customize menu. If your Claude workspace doesn't allow custom connectors, contact your Claude admin to enable them.

Connect Descript to Claude

  1. In Claude's left pane, navigate to Customize → Connectors and click the + sign to add a custom connector.
    Claude's Customize menu open to Connectors with the plus button highlighted
  2. Enter Descript for the name and https://api.descript.com/v2/mcp for the remote MCP server URL. Leave Advanced Settings as-is.
    Custom connector form with Descript name and MCP URL filled in
  3. Descript will appear under the "Not connected" list. Click Connect to log in.
    Descript listed under Not connected with the Connect button
  4. Sign into Descript, then click Allow when prompted. The MCP will connect to whichever Descript Drive you're currently logged into.
    Descript authorization screen with the Allow button
  5. You'll be redirected back to Claude.
    Claude interface showing Descript successfully connected

For help setting up or troubleshooting connectors, see Claude's support article.

ChatGPT

Descript is currently a custom app in ChatGPT

You'll add it manually using a server URL rather than selecting it from a built-in list. We're working on getting Descript into the official ChatGPT app store to make setup easier.

To install the Descript custom app, you'll need to be on a paid ChatGPT plan and either be an admin of your workspace, or have permission from your ChatGPT admin to install custom apps. If neither applies, reach out to your admin.

  1. Go to Settings → Apps and select Create app.
    ChatGPT Settings page open to the Apps tab with Create app button
  2. Enter the MCP server URL: https://api.descript.com/v2/mcp
  3. For Authentication, select OAuth.
  4. Check the checkbox at the bottom and click Create.
    ChatGPT custom app form with MCP URL, OAuth, and checkbox filled in
  5. Authenticate by logging into Descript. A browser page will open prompting you to log in and grant ChatGPT access. Proceed to log in to finish setup.

To test the connection, ask ChatGPT to upload a media file via a publicly accessible URL (like a shared Google Drive link) to a new Descript project, or give it a prompt like "Generate a short video about San Francisco street cars in Descript."

Known limitations

  • Local export is not yet supported, though you can publish a project through your assistant and get a share link. You'll need to do this manually in Descript.
  • YouTube URLs are not supported as import sources.
  • Job history is available for 30 days. After that it's gone.

Questions or feedback? Join the Descript API Discord.