Descript MCP overview

Use the Descript MCP to control Descript from an AI assistant like Claude or ChatGPT, or a custom MCP connector. Describe what you want in plain language, 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:

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 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 can explain how to add captions in Descript. With the Descript MCP connected, the assistant can add those captions for you, as well as import media, and edit projects 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.

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.

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"

Before you connect

  • The Descript MCP uses your Descript login, so you won’t need an API token. When you connect, you'll choose the Descript Drive your AI assistant can access.
  • The MCP is scoped to a single drive. To switch drives, log out of Descript on the web, then reconnect the MCP.
  • If you're using a team or enterprise workspace in your AI assistant, an admin may need to enable third-party connectors, custom connectors, or MCP tools before you can connect Descript.
  • If your AI assistant offers multiple modes, use Chat mode where available. It generally works best with the Descript MCP.

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:

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.

Questions or feedback? Join the Descript API Discord.