# Cardboard

> Cardboard is an AI video editor for turning raw footage into finished videos, from social clips and highlight
> reels to product demos, vlogs and event recaps. Describe the video you want and Cardboard turns your clips,
> photos, recordings or a link into an edit you can watch, change and export. It runs in the browser, as a Mac app,
> and inside ChatGPT and Claude, where every edit plays right in the chat.

Cut a long video down to its best moments, turn it into a vertical Reel, Short or TikTok, or pull highlights from
hours of footage. Remove pauses, filler words and bad takes, find the moment someone said something, and drop in
stock or archival B-roll where it fits. Add word-by-word captions, animated titles, music, sound effects and a
voiceover, then reframe to keep the speaker in shot, remove the background or change the look with a colour grade.
Or start from a recipe, a ready-made edit, and make it yours. The edit stays on a real timeline you can still adjust.

This file is regenerated on every release; it describes the release of 2026-10-26.

- Set up Cardboard for a user, step by step: https://www.cardboard.ai/connect.md
- Every page on this site, with descriptions: https://www.cardboard.ai/sitemap-llms.txt
- This file with the recipe directory and the ChatGPT and Claude page in full: https://www.cardboard.ai/llms-full.txt
- Docs for Cardboard in ChatGPT and Claude: https://docs.cardboard.ai/llms.txt (every docs page is also Markdown at its URL plus `.md`)

## Key facts

- Name: Cardboard, also written "Cardboard AI". Website: cardboard.ai. Not related to Google Cardboard, the VR viewer.
- Company: Cardboard, Inc., Y Combinator W26.
- What it does: edits footage you already have (interviews, podcasts, screen recordings, vlogs, phone clips) into
  finished videos. It can also generate shots from a prompt, from Starter up, but editing is the core product.
- Where it runs: the web editor in a desktop browser (including on Windows and Intel Macs); a free Mac app for Apple
  Silicon (M1 or later); and the ChatGPT and Claude apps on web, desktop and phone. There is no Windows app yet and no
  Cardboard phone app.
- Price: from $5 for the first month on the web. Lite is free in the Mac app. Prices in USD.
- Exports: 1080p on Lite and Starter, 4K on Creator and Pro. Timeline export to Premiere Pro (XML) and DaVinci Resolve (FCPXML) from Starter, in the web editor.
- Launch: Product Hunt #2 Product of the Day, 11 March 2026.

## Which route to use

- **Edit from a ChatGPT or Claude chat:** add the Cardboard connector (https://www.cardboard.ai/connect.md), sign in, bring in footage and describe the edit.
- **Edit with your own Claude or Codex on a Mac:** in the Cardboard Mac app (https://www.cardboard.ai/desktop), open Settings, then Agents, and sign in. Needs a paid Claude or ChatGPT plan.
- **Edit from a terminal on a Mac:** the `cb` command line, for Apple Silicon. Install and sign-in: https://www.cardboard.ai/auth.md
- **Edit by hand with AI help:** the web editor at https://www.cardboard.ai, or the Mac app.
- **Start from a proven format:** pick a recipe at https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes.
- **Check prices or limits:** https://www.cardboard.ai/pricing.

## When Cardboard fits, and when another kind of tool fits better

- Good fit: you have footage and want a finished edit fast, on a timeline you can still adjust.
- Good fit: you want to edit by describing changes, in the Cardboard editor or from a ChatGPT or Claude chat.
- Good fit: a freelancer or agency wants a fast first cut, then finishes in Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.
- Another kind of tool fits better if you have no footage and want a video generated from a script with an AI
  presenter (an avatar tool), or only need to clip highlights from finished long videos at very high volume (a
  dedicated clipping tool).

## How it works

1. Bring in footage or paste a link, in the editor or in a ChatGPT or Claude chat.
2. Describe the edit ("cut the pauses and add captions") or pick a recipe.
3. Review the result on the timeline or in the player, and ask for changes.
4. Export an MP4, or, from Starter in the web editor, export the timeline to finish in Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.

## Who Cardboard is for

- Podcasters and interviewers: long recordings into short captioned clips. Guide: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/podcast-clips
- YouTubers and solo creators: talking-head edits, vlogs, Shorts and Reels. Guide: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/talking-head-video
- Marketing teams and brands: UGC edits, product showcases and ads. Guide: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/captioned-ugc-video
- Founders and startups: launch videos and product demos from screen recordings. Guide: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/product-demo-video
- Travellers and event teams: travel vlogs, montages and aftermovies. Guide: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/travel-vlog
- Freelance editors and agencies: a fast first cut, then the timeline handed to Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.

## Use Cardboard inside ChatGPT and Claude

Cardboard is a remote MCP server: Streamable HTTP, OAuth sign-in to your Cardboard account, no API key and nothing
to install. Add it as a connector, sign in, bring in footage and ask for an edit; a player in the chat shows the
result. Projects are saved to your Cardboard account, so you can pick one up in a later chat.

- It works on every Cardboard plan. Editing runs on a cloud computer that uses the plan's usage credits while it
  works; generation uses generative credits.
- Exports from a chat are MP4, 1080p unless 4K is asked for on Creator or Pro.
- In ChatGPT, files attached to a message are added to the project. In Claude, use Cardboard's upload card.
- The connector is in early access. If it says it isn't available on an account yet, write to support@cardboard.ai.
- Cardboard sees the tool calls the assistant makes, not the conversation.

- ChatGPT and other MCP clients: https://mcp.cardboard.ai/mcp (every tool, including AI generation).
- Claude's connector directory: https://mcp.cardboard.ai/claude (the editing tools, without AI generation). Claude can also use the full address above, as a custom connector.
- Official MCP Registry name: ai.cardboard/cardboard
- Overview and questions: https://www.cardboard.ai/mcp
- Setup task for agents: https://www.cardboard.ai/connect.md
- Setup, tools and troubleshooting: https://docs.cardboard.ai/mcp.md, https://docs.cardboard.ai/mcp/tools.md, https://docs.cardboard.ai/mcp/troubleshooting.md
- What Cardboard stores: https://docs.cardboard.ai/mcp/data.md
- Agent skill for Claude Code, Codex and other agents: https://www.cardboard.ai/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json

Example requests:

- "Here's my talking video: remove the pauses and filler words, then add captions."
- "Make three vertical clips from this podcast, each with one complete idea."
- "Reframe this video to 9:16 and keep the speaker in frame."
- "Add B-roll where I talk about the product."

## What Cardboard can do

Cardboard's built-in editing agent is the Director. You can also edit by hand on the timeline, or let your own
Claude or Codex drive the edit in the Mac app.

### Drive the edit

- **Natural language editing**: Describe the edit ("cut the awkward pauses", "make this look more cinematic") and Cardboard performs the precise timeline operations.
- **Browser-native rendering**: A custom WebGL2 compositor and a WebCodecs decoder do the work locally. On the web there is no software to install.
- **Mac app**: Cardboard for Mac (Apple Silicon) is free to download with the Lite plan included, keeps your footage on your Mac, and lets you edit with your own Claude Code or Codex.
- **Multi-layer timeline**: Video, audio, image, text, and caption tracks with drag-and-drop editing and keyframes.
- **Share and review**: Share an edit with a link anyone can watch, and collect comments on it.

### Cut and assemble

- **Transcript-first cutting**: Remove bad takes, false starts, fillers, stutters, and repetitions from spoken footage while the meaning survives.
- **Silence and gap removal**: Detect dead air, cut it, and close the gaps it leaves behind.
- **Highlight extraction**: Surface the moments worth keeping from long recordings and cut them into a recap.
- **Beat-synced montages**: Compile highlight reels and travel or event montages with cuts landing on the music.
- **Multicam sync**: Align several camera angles of one session by their audio and cut between speakers.
- **Transitions**: Place visual transitions between clips and smooth the cut points.
- **Batch cleanup**: Apply one cleanup pass across every clip in the project with consistent settings.

### Find and source footage

- **Scene and speech search**: Find footage by describing what happened or what was said, not by filename.
- **Stock B-roll**: Drop stock B-roll on the exact moment each concept is spoken, sized to how long it stays the subject.
- **Archival documentary sourcing**: Cover a narrated documentary or origin story with real archival footage of the subject from public archives.

### Frame and finish

- **Motion graphics and titles**: Create animated titles, diagrams, charts, and callouts directly on the timeline.
- **Reframe and speaker tracking**: Recompose an edit for vertical or square, and punch in on whoever is speaking across split, grid, hero, and PIP layouts.
- **Framing repair**: Diagnose and remove black bars, letterboxing, and exposed canvas around a clip.
- **Colour grading and filters**: Cinematic looks, LUTs, and lift/gamma/gain colour wheels applied consistently across the timeline.
- **Background removal**: Remove or replace the background on video and image clips.
- **Depth compositing**: Layer titles, captions, and logos behind the subject rather than flat on top of the frame.
- **Keyframe animation**: Ken Burns moves, zooms, pans and fades, with position, scale, rotation, opacity and blur animated over time.
- **Visual review**: Grade the finished timeline on shot selection, typography, colour, composition, text placement, and pacing.

### Words and sound

- **Auto captions**: Word-level captions in seconds, with customisable presets, per-caption editing, and translation into other languages.
- **Voiceover generation**: AI narrator voiceovers from a script, and edits built around the narration timing.
- **Music and sound design**: Generate original background music and sound effects, then mix them under dialogue with a sane volume hierarchy.
- **Audio cleanup**: Duck the music under speech and level volume across the edit.
- **Reference matching**: Match the typography or reuse the audio from a reference image or video attached in chat.

### Formats and delivery

- **Platform presets**: Format, pacing, and caption constraints for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
- **Video formats**: Purpose-built workflows for explainers, tutorials, product demos, and vlogs.
- **Export**: Render in the browser or on the server, or export the timeline as XML for Premiere Pro or FCPXML for DaVinci Resolve (web editor, Starter and up).

## Plans

Usage credits pay for the agent and for cloud editing time; generative credits pay for AI video, image, music and
sound effect generation. Lite is free in the Cardboard Mac app and a paid plan on the web.
There is no free trial.

| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Usage | Generative credits a month | Exports | Largest export | Upload size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | $5 first month, then $8 | $93 the first year, then $96/year | Standard | None | 3 in all, with a small watermark | 1080p | 2.5 GB a file |
| Starter | $9 first month, then $29 | $220 the first year, then $240/year | 2.5x | 400 | Unlimited, no watermark | 1080p | 2.5 GB a file |
| Creator | $30 first month, then $59 | $439 the first year, then $468/year | 10x | 1,500 | Unlimited, no watermark | 4K | 2.5 GB a file |
| Pro | $89 first month, then $175 | $1,414 the first year, then $1,500/year | 30x | 5,000 | Unlimited, no watermark | 4K | 10 GB a file |

Current prices and checkout: https://www.cardboard.ai/pricing (as Markdown: https://www.cardboard.ai/pricing.md)

## Common questions

- **Is there a free plan?** Lite is free in the Cardboard Mac app. On the web it's $5 for your first month, then $8/month. Lite exports carry a small “Made with Cardboard” watermark; Starter and up export without it.
- **What are usage credits and generative credits?** Usage credits pay for the agent: analysis, edits, captions and cloud editing time. Generative credits pay for AI video, image, music and sound effect generation. Starter, Creator and Pro include both every month. Lite includes usage credits only: every month on paid Lite, once on free Lite in the Mac app.
- **What happens if I run out of credits?** Monthly credits renew at the start of each billing month. Need more sooner? Upgrade to a bigger plan and the new allowance applies right away.
- **Can I cancel anytime?** Yes. Cancel from your account settings and keep access until the end of your billing period.
- **Do you offer discounts for teams or high-volume usage?** Yes. If you're making video at scale, get in touch and we'll find the right plan.
- **Can I use my own AI agent?** Yes. The Mac app works with Claude Code and Codex, and any agent can drive Cardboard through its CLI or MCP server.
- **Is my footage private?** Yes. Your footage is yours, and nothing is shared until you create a link. In the Mac app, your projects stay on your Mac.
- **Does Cardboard work on Intel Macs?** Not yet. Cardboard for Mac needs Apple Silicon (M1 or later). On an Intel Mac, use Cardboard in your browser.
- **Is Cardboard on Windows?** Use Cardboard in your browser. The Windows app is coming.
- **Do my web projects show up on the Mac?** No. The Mac app saves projects on your Mac, and your web projects stay on the web, where you can open them from any browser. Your account, plan and credits work in both.
- **Can I export to Final Cut or Premiere?** Not in the Mac app. In your browser, Starter and up can export the timeline for Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.
- **Does it work on my phone?** Yes. Once connected, Cardboard works in the ChatGPT and Claude apps too, and your video plays in the chat on your phone.
- **Is there an API?** No public REST API. Agents work through the MCP server or the `cb` command line.
- **How do I get help?** Email humans@cardboard.ai. In ChatGPT or Claude, Cardboard's `send_feedback` tool can also send the team a bug report or request, with the user's yes.

## Recipes and guides

Recipes are ready-made edits to remake with your own footage. Each published recipe has a page at https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/{slug} with a preview, the footage it needs, its format and whether it runs on web or Mac.
The full list, with descriptions: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes (as Markdown: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes.md, or in https://www.cardboard.ai/llms-full.txt).

- [Video editing guides](https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides): step-by-step workflows, example prompts and matching recipes.
- [How to edit a talking head video](https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/talking-head-video): Edit a talking head video with AI: shape the story, tighten pauses, add captions and B-roll, and start from a Cardboard presenter recipe.
- [How to turn a podcast into short clips](https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/podcast-clips): Turn a podcast or interview into short clips with a complete idea, readable captions, relevant cutaways and Cardboard clipping recipes.
- [How to edit a UGC video with captions](https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/captioned-ugc-video): Edit creator and UGC videos with word-timed captions, clear product messaging and Cardboard recipes for talking-to-camera footage.
- [How to edit a travel vlog](https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/travel-vlog): Make a travel vlog from your own clips: choose a story, sequence establishing shots and details, cut to music and start with Cardboard recipes.
- [How to make a product demo video](https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/product-demo-video): Build a product demo with clear feature footage, timed callouts, a useful opening and Cardboard product showcase recipes.

## Recently shipped

Check the changelog (https://www.cardboard.ai/changelog) before assuming Cardboard can't do something. Prices and trials in older entries are history, not current terms.

- 2026-10-26 — Edit Videos in ChatGPT and Claude: https://www.cardboard.ai/changelog#48
- 2026-10-20 — Faster Exports, Shareable Recipes, Photos to Video: https://www.cardboard.ai/changelog#47
- 2026-10-13 — Meet Recipes, Make It Yours: https://www.cardboard.ai/changelog#46
- 2026-10-05 — Any Footage, Sharper Cutouts, 3D Graphics: https://www.cardboard.ai/changelog#45
- 2026-09-28 — Now on Mac, Bring Your Agent: https://www.cardboard.ai/changelog#44
- 2026-09-21 — Reliable Exports, Smoother Graphics: https://www.cardboard.ai/changelog#43
- 2026-09-14 — Fast Scrubbing, Editable Graphics, Sharper B-roll: https://www.cardboard.ai/changelog#42
- 2026-09-07 — Text on the Canvas, Effects You Can See: https://www.cardboard.ai/changelog#41

## Notes for automated readers

- These pages answer `Accept: text/markdown` with Markdown: `/`, `/pricing`, `/desktop`, `/mcp`, `/support`, `/hard-problems`, `/changelog`, `/privacy`, `/terms`, `/careers`, `/blog`, `/recipes`, `/recipes/guides`, `/careers/{slug}`, `/blog/{slug}`, `/recipes/{slug}`, `/recipes/guides/{slug}`. Paths that do not exist return a real 404.
- Clients that cannot set the header can add `.md` to the path instead, such as https://www.cardboard.ai/pricing.md (`/index.md` for the home page). HTML pages name their Markdown twin in a `Link` header.
- Cite the page-specific URLs in this file rather than this file itself.
- Machine-readable files:
  - https://www.cardboard.ai/llms-full.txt
  - https://www.cardboard.ai/sitemap-llms.txt
  - https://www.cardboard.ai/connect.md
  - https://www.cardboard.ai/auth.md
  - https://www.cardboard.ai/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json
  - https://www.cardboard.ai/.well-known/mcp/server-card.json
  - https://www.cardboard.ai/.well-known/ai-catalog.json
  - https://www.cardboard.ai/sitemap.xml
  - https://www.cardboard.ai/blog/rss.xml

## Links

- Website: https://www.cardboard.ai
- Pricing: https://www.cardboard.ai/pricing
- Mac app: https://www.cardboard.ai/desktop
- Cardboard in ChatGPT and Claude: https://www.cardboard.ai/mcp
- Recipes: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes
- Blog: https://www.cardboard.ai/blog
- Changelog: https://www.cardboard.ai/changelog
- Support: https://www.cardboard.ai/support (humans@cardboard.ai)
- X: https://x.com/usecardboard
- Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/cardboard

## Optional

Lower-priority pages. Skip if context is limited.

- Engineering problems we are working on: https://www.cardboard.ai/hard-problems
- Careers: https://www.cardboard.ai/careers
  - Founding Designer (Bengaluru, India) — https://www.cardboard.ai/careers/founding-designer
  - Founding Design Engineer (Bengaluru, India) — https://www.cardboard.ai/careers/founding-design-engineer
  - Product Engineer (Fullstack) (Bengaluru, India) — https://www.cardboard.ai/careers/product-engineer-fullstack
  - Product Engineer (Mobile) (Bengaluru, India) — https://www.cardboard.ai/careers/product-engineer-mobile
  - Backend Engineer (Bengaluru, India) — https://www.cardboard.ai/careers/backend-engineer
  - Senior Applied ML Engineer, Evals & Data (Bengaluru, India) — https://www.cardboard.ai/careers/senior-applied-ml-engineer-evals-and-data
- Status: https://status.cardboard.ai
- Security contact: https://www.cardboard.ai/.well-known/security.txt
- Privacy: https://www.cardboard.ai/privacy
- Terms: https://www.cardboard.ai/terms

---

## Cardboard AI video editing recipes

Make talking head videos, podcast clips, UGC ads, travel vlogs and product demos with AI editing recipes. Preview an edit, add your footage and make it yours.

### Editing guides

- [How to edit a talking head video](https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/talking-head-video): Edit a talking head video with AI: shape the story, tighten pauses, add captions and B-roll, and start from a Cardboard presenter recipe.
- [How to turn a podcast into short clips](https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/podcast-clips): Turn a podcast or interview into short clips with a complete idea, readable captions, relevant cutaways and Cardboard clipping recipes.
- [How to edit a UGC video with captions](https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/captioned-ugc-video): Edit creator and UGC videos with word-timed captions, clear product messaging and Cardboard recipes for talking-to-camera footage.
- [How to edit a travel vlog](https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/travel-vlog): Make a travel vlog from your own clips: choose a story, sequence establishing shots and details, cut to music and start with Cardboard recipes.
- [How to make a product demo video](https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/guides/product-demo-video): Build a product demo with clear feature footage, timed callouts, a useful opening and Cardboard product showcase recipes.

### Recipes

### App Launch Teaser

Introduce your app with floating UI and a bold brand reveal.

Launch video · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/voice-app-launch

### Bubble Text UGC

Give your UGC clip glossy pink bubble captions and text behind the speaker.

UGC · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/bubble-text-ugc

### Crafter

Turn a creative idea into a narrated scrapbook reel with an expressive cut-out host.

UGC · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/crafter

### Editorial Interview

Turn an interview into an editorial short with paper collage, bold type and relevant B-roll.

Clipping · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/editorial-interview

### Editorial Vlog

Turn your day into a vlog with paper insets, bold red type and optional narration.

Vlog · 4:3

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/editorial-vlog

### Handwritten Captions

Add warm yellow handwritten captions that follow your voice.

Effect · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/handwritten-captions

### Brand Launch Film

Your brand story, logo and product screens become a motion graphics launch film.

Launch video · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/launch-video-mg-guide

### Personal Intro

Introduce yourself with kinetic type and a bold red eye reveal.

Launch video · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/personal-intro

### Redline Vlog

Quick cuts, bold red words and a breakbeat for your story.

Vlog · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/redline-vlog

### Serif Captions

Frame your words with elegant ivory serif captions.

Effect · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/serif-captions

### Movie Title Reveal

A steel title reveal framed by spiralling glass rings of your footage.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/movie-title-reveal

### Comic Day in My Life

Turn your day into a scrolling comic, with video panels and pop-out stickers.

Vlog · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/day-in-a-comic

### Simple UGC

Caption your talking video in bold yellow type, timed to every word.

UGC · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/simple-ugc

### Ramp Launch

Launch your object off a giant ramp in a 10-second AI stunt.

Viral trends · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/ramp-launch

### How I Met Your Mother Intro

Give your photos the How I Met Your Mother opening treatment.

Viral trends · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/himym-intro-guide

### Founder Launch Film

Turn your founder story into a narrated 40-second launch film.

Launch video · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/founder-launch-video

### Travel Collage

Turn your travel shots into moving postcards with a bold place title.

Travel montage · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/travel-collage-guide

### Shades

A bold product edit with cut-outs, red type and a spec-sheet ending.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/shades-guide

### Crayon Scrapbook

Put your subject in a scrapbook of crayon doodles and patterned paper.

Effect · 4:3

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/mixmedia-crayon-guide

### Travel Montage

A rhythmic travel montage that moves between a 3×3 grid and full-frame shots.

Travel montage · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/travel-montage-guide

### Branding Intro

A clean editorial brand film, cut to the beat.

Product showcase · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/branding-intro-guide

### Inside My Head

Open up a portrait to reveal the memories and obsessions inside.

Effect · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/brain-explode-guide

### 3D Kinetic Title

Make your words bounce and spin as a colourful 3D title.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/kinetic-typography-guide

### Subject Isolation

Reveal each new shot through the subject of the last.

Effect · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/subject-isolation-guide

### Character Edit

A character montage with bold backgrounds and giant titles behind your hero.

Viral trends · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/character-edit-guide

### Founder Doc Reel

Name the founder; the script and voiceover are created for you.

Launch video · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/founder-video-guide

### Podcast Highlight

Pull one idea from your podcast into a short of about 30 seconds.

Clipping · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/podcast-highlight-guide

### Tracked Captions

Keep captions beside the speaker, with each spoken word highlighted.

UGC · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/tracked-captions-guide

### Mini Vlog

A calm day-in-the-life reel with split screens and clean white titles.

Vlog · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/mini-vlog-guide

### Head-Locked Captions

Keep the frame centred on the speaker’s head, with animated captions.

UGC · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/head-locked-captions-guide

### Cut-out Podcast Clip

Cut your podcast into a bold short with green cards and speaker cut-outs.

Clipping · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/cutout-podcast-clip-guide

### Orbital Screens

Surround a person with two orbiting rings of video screens.

Effect · 4:5

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/orbital-screens

### Continuous Mask

Make copies of your subject step out on the beat, then snap back together.

Effect · 4:5

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/continuous-mask

### Match Split

Mirror one shot or join two along a line in the scene.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/match-split

### Frame Division

Turn your clips into a shifting mosaic of irregular panels.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/frame-division

### Double Exposure

Play a moving scene inside your subject’s silhouette.

Effect · 4:3

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/double-exposure

### Echo Print

Keep your subject sharp while movement trails into ghostly echoes.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/echo-print

### Card Breakout

Make your subject step out of a floating video card.

Effect · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/object-into-frame

### Thermal Vision

Turn moving people into glowing thermal silhouettes.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/thermal-vision

### Water Ripple

Send ripples across your video with a wave of your hand.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/water-ripple

### Retro Browser Launch

A retro browser launch that turns a mistyped URL into your brand reveal.

Launch video · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/launch-video-simple

### Invisible Man

Turn your subject into liquid glass, with the background bending through them.

Effect · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/invisible-man

### Screen Product Demo

Your screen recording and optional face cam, with pauses and mistakes trimmed.

Product showcase · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/screen-product-demo

### Keyframed Portal

Open a moving portal between your fingertips.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/keyframed-portal

### Clock Vlog

Tell your day in 20 seconds, from a spinning-clock intro to timed activity labels.

Vlog · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/clock-vlog

### Artsy Manifesto

A mixed-media manifesto for your brand or craft, built from ink, paper and your footage.

Launch video · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/art-launch-video

### Event Aftermovie

A cinematic one-minute recap of your event, cut to a driving soundtrack.

Aftermovie · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/event-aftermovie

### Editorial City Title

A bold place-name title built from your travel photos and local objects.

Travel montage · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/motion-graphic-reel

### Sundance Event Recap

A warm event recap with real voices, camera flashes and beat-matched cuts.

Aftermovie · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/sundance-event-aftermovie

### Footpath Gallery

Fill the paving stones around your feet with photos and painted patterns.

Viral trends · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/trend-footpath

### Moving Painting

Turn the centre of your video into a moving painting.

Viral trends · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/trend-painting

### Photo Collage Build

Build a photo collage in seconds, then clear it to one final image.

Viral trends · 4:3

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/trend-collage

### Travel Diary

A widescreen travel edit with flashing transitions and words on the beat.

Travel montage · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/travel-diary

### Travel Vlog

A fast city vlog with a bold yellow title and cuts on the beat.

Travel montage · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/travel-vlog

### Falling Through the Feed

Fall through a scrolling feed and four illustrated worlds, then land back where you started.

Viral trends · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/trend-falling

### Double Exposure Credits

End your film with footage playing inside your silhouette and clean personal credits.

Viral trends · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/trend-outro

### Receipt Stop-Motion

Print your video onto a series of crumpled receipts in stop motion.

Viral trends · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/receipt-stopmotion

### Window Trail Glitch

Bounce your clips across a retro desktop, leaving a trail of frozen windows.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/window-trail-glitch

### Window Reveal

Reveal yourself through a swarm of app windows that open on the beat.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/window-trail-mask

### Blob Tracking

Give your action clips a live tracking-feed look.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/blob-tracking

### ASCII Glow

Turn your subject into glowing code with a glitching digital finish.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/ascii-glow

### Sketch Effect

Freeze your clip into a pencil drawing, then pull back to an artist’s desk.

Effect · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/sketch-effect

### Match-Cut SFX Edit

A trailer-style action edit with a sound effect for every move.

Viral trends · 4:3

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/match-cut-sfx

### Web App Walkthrough

Screenshots become a walkthrough. Add a presenter or use step headlines.

Product showcase · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/saas-walkthrough

### Photo Grid Reveal

Reveal your photos in waves across a fine grid, timed to the beat.

Effect · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/grid-matte-parle

### Fit Check Shuffle

Line up your outfits, then shuffle through them on the beat.

Viral trends · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/fashion-motion-edit

### Light Trails

Stretch bright lights into trails that build, peak and fade.

Viral trends · 1:1

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/hail-mary-trend

### Texture Outfit

Fill an outfit with moving flowers, clouds or sunlit water.

Viral trends · 3:4

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/floral-shorts

### Flash-Cut Brand Teaser

A 10-second brand teaser with rapid flashes and bold centred type.

Launch video · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/launch-video-now

### Gold Script Quote

The words in your song, voiceover or clips become the lettering.

Vlog · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/life-i-made

### Bobblehead Avatar

Your photo and interests become a talking avatar.

Viral trends · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/minecraft-avatar

### Paper Desk Documentary

Share a true story and supporting images; the script and narration are created for you.

Explainer · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/rap-documentary

### Claude News Reel

Turn a topic into a presenter-led explainer with relevant B-roll, teal and cream graphics, split screens and word captions.

Talking-head · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/claude-tokens-reel

### Tech News Reel

Turn a technology topic into a presenter-led reel with relevant product footage, bold headlines and pixel captions.

Talking-head · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/tech-news-reel

### Illustrated Film Explainer

Share a story; illustrations can be created for it. Your own artwork and narration are optional.

Explainer · 4:3

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/illustrated-film-explainer

### Future Talks Clip

Make one podcast idea stand alone, with concise captions and cutaways.

Clipping · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/future-talks-clip

### Mobile App Walkthrough

Walk through your app’s features inside a colourful phone frame.

Product showcase · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/mobile-app-walkthrough

### Festival Aftermovie

Recap your festival with fast cuts, colour flashes and a cinematic finish.

Aftermovie · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/festival-aftermovie

### Competition Teaser

Build suspense for a competition with bold captions and a cliffhanger.

Clipping · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/competition-teaser

### Talking-head Meta Ad

Turn a product or message into a short presenter ad with relevant B-roll, clean captions and an elegant benefit card.

Talking-head · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/talking-head-meta-ad

### Lip Oil Showcase

Showcase your beauty product with pink benefit stickers and playful graphics.

Product showcase · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/lip-oil-showcase

### MrBeast-style Clip

Turn a challenge into a high-energy short with punchy captions and reactions.

Clipping · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/mrbeast-style-clip

### Laptop Feature Film

Show your laptop’s features with hands-on footage and dot-matrix captions.

Product showcase · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/laptop-product-overview

### Podcast Product Review

Keep the conversation and hands-on product demo together in one clean shot.

Product showcase · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/podcast-product-review

### Music Player Reveal

Reveal a music player with floating icons, a 3D spin and animated song cards.

Product showcase · 16:9

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/music-player-reveal

### Presenter Tips Explainer

Turn a topic into four practical tips with a presenter, relevant demonstrations, green information cards and a closing checklist.

Talking-head · 9:16

Read: https://www.cardboard.ai/recipes/presenter-tips-explainer

---

## Cardboard in ChatGPT and Claude

Cardboard edits video right in the chat: bring in your clips, say what you want, and the edited video plays there. It works on every Cardboard plan, with no API key.

### ChatGPT

1. **Find Cardboard in Plugins.** Open the Plugin directory in ChatGPT and search for Cardboard.
2. **Install and connect.** Select Install plugin, then Connect and sign in with your Cardboard account.
3. **Mention it in any chat.** Type @Cardboard and ask for your video. ChatGPT plans the edit, Cardboard cuts it, and it plays in the chat.

Direct link: https://chatgpt.com/plugins/plugin_asdk_app_6ad9113481408191be5f3c22757f2ef8

### Claude

1. Open https://claude.ai/customize/connectors?modal=add-custom-connector, or in a Claude chat choose **+** in the message box, then **Connectors**, **Add connector** and **Add custom connector**.
2. Enter **Cardboard** as the name and **https://mcp.cardboard.ai/claude** as the MCP server URL, then choose **Continue**.
3. Sign in to your Cardboard account and allow Claude access.
4. Ask Claude to use Cardboard for your video.

Direct link: https://claude.ai/customize/connectors?modal=add-custom-connector

### Server addresses

- https://mcp.cardboard.ai/mcp: every tool, including AI generation. For ChatGPT and other MCP clients.
- https://mcp.cardboard.ai/claude: the editing tools without AI generation, the address Claude's connector directory lists.

Both sign in with OAuth to your Cardboard account.

### Questions

#### What does the Cardboard plugin do?

It brings Cardboard into ChatGPT and Claude. Attach your clips and say what you want; Cardboard edits the video and it plays right in the conversation, where you can ask for changes and export it.

#### Do I need a Cardboard account?

Yes. You sign in with your Cardboard account when you connect, and the plugin works on every Cardboard plan. There is no API key to set up.

#### Which plan pays for what?

ChatGPT or Claude plans the edit on your plan there. The editing itself runs in Cardboard and uses your Cardboard plan’s credits, as it would in the editor.

#### How do I get my footage in?

In ChatGPT, attach your clips to your message. In either app, you can also say “@Cardboard I have some clips to add” and drop them into the upload box Cardboard opens in the chat, or paste a link to a video. Everything you add is saved to your Cardboard account.

#### How big can my clips be?

Clips attached to a ChatGPT message can be up to 512 MB each, ChatGPT’s own limit. For anything bigger, drop them into Cardboard’s upload box instead: up to 2.5 GB a file, or 10 GB on Pro.

#### How do I get the finished video?

It plays in the chat as soon as it’s ready. Press Export above the video to download it.

#### Does it work on my phone?

Yes. Once connected, Cardboard works in the ChatGPT and Claude apps too, and your video plays in the chat on your phone.

#### How do I disconnect Cardboard?

Remove it from your connectors in Claude or your plugins in ChatGPT at any time. Your projects stay in your Cardboard account.

### More

- Step-by-step setup, the tools and data handling: https://docs.cardboard.ai/llms.txt
- Setup steps to pass on to a user: https://www.cardboard.ai/mcp/setup.md
- About Cardboard: https://www.cardboard.ai/llms.txt