# How do I get started with Vidiyo?

Canonical URL: https://getvidiyo.app/docs/getting-started
Last updated: 2026-10-08

> TL;DR: Request an invite, sign in on the download page with the same email, install the DMG and open Vidiyo. Connect the Claude or ChatGPT plan you already pay for, let the local transcription model download, then import footage and type what you want changed. Setup takes about ten minutes.

Vidiyo is an AI video editor for Mac that edits by chat, watches the actual frames, and runs on your existing Claude or ChatGPT plan. Getting from zero to a first edit has four parts: access, install, AI connection and a first project.

## What do I need before I start?

You need an Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or later) on macOS 14 Sonoma or later, a Vidiyo beta invite, and for chat editing, a Claude or ChatGPT plan. Intel Macs, Windows and the web are not supported. Vidiyo is free during the invite-only beta.

| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mac | Apple Silicon (M1 or later) |
| macOS | 14 Sonoma or later |
| Access | An approved beta invite |
| AI for chat | Claude Pro or Max through Claude Code, or ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business or Enterprise through Codex |
| Disk | Room for your projects plus about 490 MB for the English speech model |

## How do I get an invite?

[Request access](https://getvidiyo.app/request) with your email. We let people in small groups and email you when your invite is approved. Use that same email address everywhere: on the download page and in the app.

## How do I install and sign in?

Sign in on the [download page](https://getvidiyo.app/download) with your invited email, enter the 6-digit code we email you, and download the DMG. Drag Vidiyo into Applications and open it. The app asks for the same email and sends a new code. The full walkthrough is in [Install Vidiyo](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/install).

## What does the first-run setup do?

A **Set up Vidiyo** dialog opens on the home view with three steps: **AI access**, **Transcription** and **Demo**.

1. **AI access.** Choose "Use my Claude subscription" or "Use my ChatGPT subscription". Vidiyo checks whether Claude Code or Codex is installed and signed in, and shows the Terminal steps for whatever is missing. See [Connect Claude](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/connect-claude) or [Connect ChatGPT](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/connect-chatgpt).
2. **Transcription.** Download the English speech model (about 490 MB, once). It runs on your Mac, so audio never leaves it. Other languages use the [language pack](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/language-pack).
3. **Demo.** Open the demo project and ask the assistant to change something.

Every step can be skipped. Editing and export work without chat.

## How do I make my first edit?

Import footage, then type a request in the chat panel. On the home view, **Import footage** starts a project; you can also drag files in. Then try something like:

> Cut the pauses and filler, add bold captions, and put quiet music under it.

The assistant edits the real timeline. Each request undoes in one step with ⌘Z, and you can adjust anything by hand afterwards. When it looks right, [export an MP4](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/export) or [schedule it through Buffer](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/publishing-with-buffer).

## What should I read next?

Start with [Editing by chat](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/editing-by-chat) for how requests, plans and undo work. Then [Captions](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/captions) and [Motion and layers](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/motion-and-layers) cover the parts people adjust most. If something breaks, [Troubleshooting](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/troubleshooting) lists the messages you might see and what they mean.

## Steps

1. Request access and wait for your invite email.
2. Sign in on the download page with the invited email and download the DMG.
3. Drag Vidiyo into Applications, open it and sign in with the 6-digit code we email you.
4. In the setup dialog, connect Claude (through Claude Code) or ChatGPT (through Codex).
5. Download the local transcription model, or let the first transcription download it.
6. Import footage, then ask for an edit in the chat panel.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need a paid AI plan to use Vidiyo?

Chat editing needs a Claude Pro or Max plan signed in to Claude Code, or a ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business or Enterprise plan signed in to Codex. Manual editing, captions and export work without either.

### How long does setup take?

About ten minutes for most people. The slowest part is the one-time download of the local English transcription model, which is about 490 MB.

### Can I skip the setup dialog?

Yes. Every step in the first-run setup can be skipped, and you can open it again later from Settings → Assistant → Run setup again.

### Is there a demo project?

Yes. The last step of the setup dialog offers to open a demo project, so you can try a chat edit before importing your own footage.

## Related

- [How do I install Vidiyo?](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/install)
- [How do I connect Claude to Vidiyo?](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/connect-claude)
- [How do I connect ChatGPT to Vidiyo?](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/connect-chatgpt)
- [How do I import footage into Vidiyo?](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/import-footage)
- [How does editing by chat work in Vidiyo?](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/editing-by-chat)
- [Edit video by chatting](https://getvidiyo.app/features/chat-video-editing)

Request access to the Vidiyo beta: https://getvidiyo.app/request