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Descript’s AI editor, Underlord, can transcribe, remove filler words, enhance audio, add captions, create clips, and more. The API and MCP expose all of that so it can be triggered automatically — from any AI tool, automation platform, or custom code — without opening the app.

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The basic loop

  1. Something happens — a new recording, a file upload, a webhook, a calendar event. You define the trigger.
  2. Underlord does the work — import, transcribe, remove filler words, add Studio Sound, cut clips, generate captions. Whatever you configured.
  3. You show up for the last 10% — open Descript, review the rough cut, make it great. The boring part is already done.

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Four ways in

No developer required for any of these. Pick the one that fits how you work.

AI Assistants (MCP)

Connect to Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible tool. Describe what you want in plain English. No API token needed — auth is handled via OAuth.Best for: Conversational editing, quick tasks, exploration.

Zapier

Wire up triggers from Google Drive, Slack, or any Zapier-connected tool. Descript imports and edits automatically. No code.Best for: Automated pipelines, recurring workflows, non-technical teams.

CLI

Test ideas fast from your terminal. Interactive flows, built-in polling, instant feedback.Best for: Quick testing, scripting, local development.

REST API

Full HTTP access for production systems. You own the logic — orchestration, error handling, webhooks.Best for: Production automation, custom integrations, platform teams.
Using an AI assistant? Copy our AI Context Primer and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, or any AI tool. It will walk you through setup automatically.

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What Underlord can do via the API

  • Import media from a URL and create a Descript project
  • Transcribe audio and video
  • Remove filler words
  • Apply Studio Sound (noise reduction + voice enhancement)
  • Generate captions
  • Create highlight clips from long-form content
  • Add B-roll
  • Translate and dub audio
  • Build rough cuts from a text prompt
  • Generate a new video project entirely from a prompt — no media required

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Common use cases

  • Podcasts — Captioned social clips from every new episode by the next morning
  • Webinars — A clean, ready-to-review rough cut waiting by end of day
  • Blog posts — Auto-generate a video teaser the moment a post goes live
  • Sales calls — Surface key moments as a shareable highlight reel
Ready to try it? The Quickstart gets you to a result in under 5 minutes.

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How it works

Everything is asynchronous. You submit a request — import media, run an agent edit — and get back a job_id. Then you either poll for the result or hand Descript a callback URL and move on. 
Request → Job created → Processing → Completed → Open in Descript
Jobs are retained for 30 days. See Working with Jobs for polling, states, and webhooks.

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Current status

This is an open beta. It works — people are running production workflows on it right now — but it’s still evolving.
  • Breaking changes get 30-day notice
  • Discord — community support and feedback
  • Weekly Office Hours — live help and workflow demos
  • GA pricing will be published before general availability

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Next steps

Quickstart

Zero to your first result in under 5 minutes.

Set Up with AI

Copy the AI Context Primer and let your AI assistant walk you through it.