Giving edit instructions

Edit mode is the heart of CoDirector. When you switch to Edit mode and send an instruction, CoDirector reads your current project — the timeline, transcript, clips, and audio — and applies the changes you described. No menus to navigate, no parameters to set. You describe what you want, and it happens.

Understanding how to phrase your instructions well makes the difference between a result that's exactly right and one that requires a follow-up.

How it works

Type your instruction into the CoDirector input at the bottom of the panel and press Enter (or click the send button). CoDirector analyzes your project state and makes the changes. You'll see its response stream in as it works, including a summary of what it did.

When the edit is applied, the timeline and preview update automatically. If the result isn't right, press Ctrl+Z to undo and send a revised instruction.

Example instructions

Here are the kinds of edits CoDirector handles well:

• "Remove everything before I say 'alright, let's dive in'"
• "Cut out all the long pauses — anything over one second of silence"
• "Add a lower third with the text 'Alex Chen — Founder' in the bottom left corner"
• "Trim the ending — remove the last 20 seconds"
• "Add a fade in at the start and a fade out at the end"
• "Remove the section where I talk about pricing"
• "Add background music that fits a professional, calm tone"
• "Make this video exactly 90 seconds long"

Tips for better results

Be specific about what you want cut or added. "Remove the intro" is less reliable than "Remove everything before I say 'welcome back'." CoDirector can match on transcript text, so quoting exact words is a powerful way to target precise moments.

Reference elements using @ mentions. If your instruction applies to a specific clip, audio track, or point in time, use the @ mention system to attach it to your message. CoDirector knows exactly what you're referring to rather than having to guess. See Using @ mentions.

Break complex edits into steps. If you want several different things changed, send them as separate instructions one at a time. This keeps edits isolated, makes it easy to undo a specific step if needed, and gives CoDirector a clearer goal for each action.

Use Chat mode to plan first. If you're unsure how to approach an edit — or you want CoDirector's opinion before making changes — switch to Chat mode first. Describe what you're trying to achieve and ask for suggestions. Then switch back to Edit mode to act on them.

Follow up rather than starting over. After CoDirector applies an edit, you can refine it in the same session. "That's too short — add two seconds back at the end" is a natural follow-up, and CoDirector understands the context of what it just did.

Tip: Use Ctrl+Z to undo any edit instantly if the result isn't what you expected. You can undo multiple steps and try again with a more refined instruction each time.