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. We also have instructions for using the official Claude connector for Descript in our Connect Descript to Claude guide.

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 AI 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 you can do with the Descript API/MCP today:

  • Import media from a URL or directly from your computer — 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 — no media needed. Describe what you want and Underlord builds it from scratch.
  • 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 by date, and pull up the compositions inside any project.
  • Organize with folders — import into a named folder path, with nested folders created automatically.
  • Publish finished projects and get back a share link or download URL.
  • Track progress as import, agent, and publish jobs run — poll for status or get notified via webhook.

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.

Choose your AI assistant to get started:

Connect Descript to 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. Log into Descript when prompted. A browser page will open asking you to sign in and grant ChatGPT access. Complete the login 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.