Integration · Documents

Connect Claude & ChatGPT to Shotstack

Ask your AI to render a video from one of your Shotstack templates, fill in the text and images, and send you the link when it is done. It can also build a render from a JSON edit, save and update templates, bring in media from a public URL and check a file's duration and resolution. For voice-overs and images, it can generate AI assets and fetch the result.

Connect Shotstack free

Free plan, no credit card. Takes about a minute.

Try asking

“Render our 'Product promo' template with the title 'Autumn sale' and this image URL.”
The AI fills the template's merge fields, starts the render and returns a render ID. Rendering uses your Shotstack credits.
“Is the render finished? Give me the video link.”
It checks the render status and returns the output file URL once it is done.
“Make a 10 second video from these three images with a title on top.”
It builds a JSON edit with a timeline of clips and the output format, then starts the render.

What your AI can do

Rendering

Render video, image or audio from a JSON edit or a saved template, fill placeholders with merge values and fetch the output URL.

Templates

List, read, create, update and delete reusable edit templates with their timeline, output settings and merge fields.

Media and AI assets

Ingest media from a public URL, inspect files, look up hosted assets and generate text-to-speech audio or images.

“Create a voice-over that says 'Welcome to our store'.”
It generates text-to-speech audio as an AI asset and checks the generation until the file URL is ready.
“What resolution and duration does this clip have?”
It inspects the media file at the public URL and returns its duration, resolution and codecs.
“Which templates do we have, and what merge fields does 'Weekly recap' use?”
It lists your templates and reads the edit JSON and merge fields of the one you pick.

16 tools for Shotstack

These tools are switched on when you connect. You can switch any of them off, or require your approval before it runs.

create_templateChanges dataSave a reusable edit as a template with a `name` and the edit JSON in `template` (timeline, output, merge fields).
delete_templateDeletesPermanently delete a template by `template_id`.
generate_assetChanges dataGenerate an AI asset such as text-to-speech audio or an image, described in the `asset` object. Returns a generation ID; check it with get_generation_status.
get_assetGet one hosted asset by `asset_id`, including its public URL and status.
get_generation_statusGet the status and result URL of an AI asset generation by `generate_id`.
get_render_assetsGet the hosted assets produced by a render, by `render_id`.
get_render_statusGet the status of a render by `render_id`, and the output file URL once it is done.
get_sourceGet one ingested source file by `source_id`, with its status and renditions.
get_templateGet one template by `template_id`, including its full edit JSON and merge fields.
ingest_sourceChanges dataFetch a media file from a public `url` into Shotstack storage, optionally creating `outputs` renditions or a transcription.
inspect_mediaInspect a media file at a public `url` and return its metadata, such as duration, resolution and codecs.
list_sourcesList the source media files you have ingested into Shotstack.
list_templatesList your saved edit templates with their IDs.
render_templateVisible to othersRender a saved template by its `id`, filling placeholders with `merge` key/value pairs. Uses render credits; returns a render ID.
render_videoVisible to othersRender a video, image or audio file from a JSON edit: `timeline` (tracks of clips) and `output` (format and resolution or size); optional `merge` fills placeholders. Uses render credits; returns a render ID.
update_templateChanges dataReplace a template's `name` and edit JSON (`template`) by `template_id`.

Set up in three steps

1
Pick the app
Create a free PipMCP account and choose Shotstack from the app list.
2
Paste your key
Paste your Shotstack Production API key. In the Shotstack dashboard, click your account name (top right) > API Keys and copy the Production (v1) key. Production renders use your credits. The Stage sandbox key will not work here.
3
Add the link to your AI
You get a personal MCP link. Add it to Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor:
1. Click your name, then Settings › Connectors › Add custom connector.
2. Paste your link as the Remote MCP server URL.
3. Switch it on from the + menu in a chat.

Questions

What can the AI do in Shotstack?

It can render video, image or audio from a JSON edit or a saved template and check the render status and output files. It can list, read, create, update and delete templates, ingest and list source media, inspect media files, look up hosted assets and generate AI assets such as text-to-speech audio or images.

Does the AI see my Shotstack API key?

No. Your Shotstack API key is encrypted at rest and never shown to the AI. After you save it, it is not shown again, not even to you. The AI only sees the results of the tools it calls.

Can I control what the AI is allowed to do?

Yes. You choose which tools are switched on, so you can start with lookups only. Renders use your Shotstack credits and deleting a template is permanent, so both can require your approval before they run. Every tool call is logged.

Does it work with ChatGPT?

Yes. In ChatGPT go to Settings › Apps & Connectors › Advanced and turn on Developer mode, then add your PipMCP link. Developer mode needs a paid ChatGPT plan: Plus, Pro, Business or Enterprise. The same link also works in Claude (Settings › Connectors › Add custom connector), Cursor and other MCP clients.

What does it cost?

PipMCP has a free plan with no credit card required. Paid plans bill per completed task. You also need your own Shotstack account, and renders use your Shotstack credits.

Can I use the Shotstack sandbox key?

No. PipMCP needs the Production (v1) key from the Shotstack dashboard, and the Stage sandbox key will not work here. Because production renders use your credits, you can require approval on the render tools to keep track of what gets rendered.