# Connect Claude Code to DaVinci Resolve, step by step

When to use it: You want Claude Code to read and edit your Resolve timeline and need a safe first session.

Works with: [DaVinci Resolve MCP Server (samuelgursky)](https://agentcut.dev/tools/davinci-resolve-mcp-server-samuelgursky/), [Resolve MCP Server (guycochran)](https://agentcut.dev/tools/resolve-mcp-server-guycochran/), [DaVinci Resolve MCP — Works in Resolve Free](https://agentcut.dev/tools/davinci-resolve-mcp-works-in-resolve-free/), [davinci-resolve-lite-mcp](https://agentcut.dev/tools/davinci-resolve-lite-mcp/)

Save as: resolve-mcp-first-session.md

Download: https://agentcut.dev/prompts/md/starter-resolve-mcp.md

~~~~markdown
# Claude Code + DaVinci Resolve: first session

## Step 1. Pick a server that fits your edition
- Resolve Studio: most MCP servers work, because external scripting is a Studio feature.
- Resolve Free: pick a server that says it works on Free. Since Resolve 21.1, Python scripting is Studio only, so many Free workarounds stopped working. Check each tool's notes on agentcut.dev/davinci-resolve-mcp/

## Step 2. Install the server
Follow that server's README exactly. It will give you a command to run the server.

## Step 3. Register it with Claude Code
Either run the command from the README, which usually looks like:

    claude mcp add resolve -- <the command from the README>

or add it to `.mcp.json` in your project folder:

    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "resolve": { "command": "<command from README>", "args": ["<args from README>"] }
      }
    }

Then start `claude` in that folder and type `/mcp` to confirm the server is connected.

## Step 4. First prompt (read only)

Resolve is open with a project I duplicated for testing.
Using only read tools, tell me:
1. the project name and the current timeline
2. the timeline fps, resolution and duration
3. how many video and audio tracks there are, and how many clips on each
4. any markers with their color, timecode and name
Do not change anything yet.

## Step 5. First small edit

On the current timeline only, add a blue marker named "AI CHECK" at the start of every clip on V1 that is shorter than 1 second. Tell me how many you added and list their timecodes. Do not move or delete any clip.

## Step 6. Save the rules
Copy the AgentCut "CLAUDE.md for editing through MCP" into this folder so every session starts with the same safety rules.
~~~~

Sources and credit:

* [Claude Code docs, Connect Claude Code to tools via MCP](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp): claude mcp add and .mcp.json
* [CineD on DaVinci Resolve 21.1](https://www.cined.com/davinci-resolve-21-1-released-ai-assistant-integration-via-mcp-individual-hdr-trims-and-python-scripting-moves-to-studio/): Scripting and the built in MCP server moved to Studio in 21.1

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