# The Montage skill

> The Montage skill is a small folder of instructions your AI reads when you ask it for a video: how Montage works, which tool comes first, and what to ask you.

## What it is

A skill is the open « Agent Skills » format from Anthropic: a folder named after the skill with a `SKILL.md` file inside. Your AI always knows its name and one line about it, and reads the rest only when you ask for something it covers.

| Part | Montage's |
|---|---|
| Folder | `montage/` |
| Name | `montage` |
| When your AI uses it | When you ask it to edit a video with Montage: import footage, describe the edit, read comments, export. |
| What it needs | Montage connected as an MCP server ([How agents use Montage](/docs/agents)) |

## What it tells your AI

- The order: list or create a video, import footage, wait until it is ready, give it to the video, write the video, export.
- Which import to pick: a web address, the computer the AI runs on, or your computer through the Mac app.
- Which export to pick: made by Montage, or made by your app from your originals with every setting; HDR only for footage filmed in HDR.
- That media and comments are read-only, and every change is a version you see at once.

## Install it

| Where | How |
|---|---|
| Claude (claude.ai, the app) | Download the skill as a ZIP and upload it in **Customize → Skills**. Every plan, with code execution on. |
| Claude Code | Put the `montage` folder in `.claude/skills`. |

## Questions

### Do I need the skill to use Montage from my AI?

No. Montage's server already tells your AI how a video is written when it connects. The skill adds the order of things and the choices to ask you about.

### Does the skill give access to my account?

No. It is only text. Access comes from connecting Montage and pressing **Allow**.