Never + Claude, via MCP
Point the Claude you already pay for at Never's MCP server and edit video by talking: `claude mcp add never -- npx -y @never/mcp --key …`. Claude plans the cuts; Never's engine transcribes, splices, captions, renders and publishes. That's the $19 Local tier — we don't charge for AI you already own.
How do you connect Claude (MCP)?
- Get a key. Create a Never account and copy your API key from settings — the $19 Local tier.
- Add the server. Run: claude mcp add never -- npx -y @never/mcp --key nvr_live_… (one line, any MCP client works).
- Point it at footage. Tell Claude where the raw file lives — a local path or an upload.
- Say what you want. "Cut the ums, pull the 5 best moments as Shorts, caption in my style, schedule this week." Or say nothing — defaults are what a good editor would pick.
- Approve from the calendar. Review cuts and copy in Never's calendar, approve, and the posts publish themselves.
What are Claude (MCP)’s hard limits?
| Limit | Applies | What Never does |
|---|---|---|
| Included usage | 40 finished minutes/month on Local, then $0.30/min | the calculator shows the real total before you pay |
| Your AI's context | long footage summarized via transcript, not raw frames | the transcript-first pipeline keeps token cost flat |
| Publishing | Social Studio set is a $15/mo add-on on Local | publish manually for free, or add the set for the calendar |
What does Never repair before publishing?
Every deliverable is an EDL, so “wrong aspect” or “too long” is a re-render, not a rejection. Never validates against the limits above and repairs before submitting — you see the fix, not the failure.
| Failure that would happen | What happens instead |
|---|---|
| A render fails mid-job | no charge — failed renders are free by policy |
| Claude asks for an edit the EDL can't express | the server answers with what it can do instead of guessing |
| Key leaks | revoke and reissue in settings; scopes are posting-only, never account credentials |
Why this tier exists
Every AI editor carries two costs: the engine and the tokens. Tools that bundle their own AI must charge for both — reasonable, unless you already pay Anthropic or OpenAI for the same class of model. MCP makes the unbundling practical, and the honest price of the engine alone is $19. Showing that math publicly is the point: it's the same kitchen either way; you choose who cooks.
Read the transcript
Never + Claude, via MCP Point the Claude you already pay for at Never's MCP server and edit video by talking: `claude mcp add never -- npx -y @never/mcp --key …`. Claude plans the cuts; Never's engine transcribes, splices, captions, renders and publishes. That's the $19 Local tier — we don't charge for AI you already own.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly runs where?
Judgment runs on your Claude subscription: which takes to keep, where clips start, what the hook is. Mechanics run on Never's engine: transcription, frame-snapped splicing, captions, rendering, scheduling. The split is why the tier can cost $19.
Does it work with ChatGPT or other MCP clients?
Yes — the server speaks standard MCP, so ChatGPT connectors, Cursor and other MCP clients drive it the same way. Claude Code and Claude Desktop are the most-used setups.
Is the $19 tier a lesser product?
Same engine, same output quality, same publishing. What differs is whose AI plans the edit and the included finished minutes. If your Claude usage is already paid for, it's the same product with the AI line item removed.