An editor first, AI second
The full non-linear editor stays useful with or without AI. Touch clips, tracks, trims, transitions, captions, and export settings by hand at any time.
Local-first AI video editor for Mac Describe the cut.
Describe the cut.
AVE makes the edit.
AVE is a local-first, Mac-native AI video editor. Your footage, project files, timeline edits, and exports stay on your Mac by default, with external AI only when the job calls for it.
macOS 14.0 or later. Apple Silicon, M1 or later.
An editor with AI inside. Not an AI with an editor bolted on.
AVE is built on three convictions about how AI belongs in real editing work.
AI plans, tools execute
AVE turns a rough brief into a structured plan. Approved work becomes visible timeline edits, so you can see what changed and keep control.
Local-first, private by default
Project files, imported media, local analysis, timeline execution, and exports stay on your Mac unless you explicitly connect an external assistant or API.
From raw footage to finished cut.
The same loop an editor runs, now with AI handling the mechanical passes while you keep the final call. See the full workflow.
Import and analyze
Bring in video, audio, or graphics. AVE builds useful project context from filenames, metadata, transcripts, visual notes, and timeline state.
Ask or Plan
Use Ask for direction, search, captions, and smaller edits. Use Plan when a project-aware edit should be previewed before execution.
Approve real edits
AVE can create sequences, select clips, trim, add transitions, build captions, style graphics, and close gaps after you approve the plan.
Export locally
Refine by hand, run export preflight, and render finished MP4 deliverables from the native Mac app.
Plan the edit. Review every change.
Plan mode previews a multi-step edit before anything touches your timeline. AVE drafts the steps, you approve the direction, and every change stays visible for review.
AVE · Plan mode
Make a 30-second vertical TikTok cut from the launch footage. Keep it punchy and add captions.
Edit plan Running
- Analyze footage, transcript and shots
- Select the strongest 30 seconds
- Assemble a 9:16 vertical sequence
- Add fast cuts and captions
Result Social Reel ready to review
Ask anything… Plan
Your coding assistant can edit with AVE. Without leaving the local editing loop.
Connect Codex CLI or Claude Code once, then ask for video work from the assistant you already use. AVE provides the project context, editing tools, review frames, permissions, and local execution.
Connections Local assistant access
Ready on this Mac Codex Codex plans · asks before changes · 8/8 access
Connected Claude Code Claude Code plans · asks before changes · 8/8 access
Connected - Tool surface
- 20 AVE tools
- Permission model
- 8 access scopes
- Connection
- Local authenticated bridge
Everything you expect from an editor. Plus an AI that can drive it.
A modern non-linear editor at the core, with footage intelligence and AI-assisted timeline work you can review. Browse the full feature list or see real use cases.
Real timeline edits
Trim, split, ripple, retime, and snap clips on an editable timeline. Remove dead air and filler words from transcript timing, then add transitions, captions, audio automation, and motion.
Timeline toolsFootage intelligence
Search and rank imported assets with transcripts, visual notes, metadata, and timeline context, then preview source moments before adding them to the edit.
Transcript + visionMulti-format editing
Create deliverables for 16:9, 4:5, 1:1, 9:16, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Shorts, YouTube, websites, and custom formats.
Platform formatsGraphics and finishing
Design titles, lower thirds, and shapes with layers, direct canvas resizing, brand styling, camera tools, color correction, chroma key, masks, and motion.
Design toolsLocal AI included
AVE includes its Local AI engine plus starter vision and caption models. Project files, media analysis, timeline edits, and native exports stay on your Mac by default.
Private + on-deviceSmart asset organization
Turn camera filenames into collection-aware AVE names using visual, transcript, metadata, and project context. Review, edit, or exclude every proposal while original files stay unchanged.
Smart RenamePro NLEs are powerful but entirely manual. Web editors are easy but shallow and template-driven. AVE is the editor in between: real timeline control, with an AI that can actually operate it.
The AVE thesis
Questions, answered.
The short version of what AVE is and how it works.
What is AVE?
AVE is a local-first AI video editor for Mac. It combines a real non-linear timeline with Ask and Plan modes that understand your footage, draft reviewable edit plans, and turn approved work into timeline changes.
Is AVE available to download?
Yes. AVE 1.0.23 is available for Apple Silicon Macs. Download the DMG from GitHub Releases and install it by dragging AVE into Applications.
What Mac do I need?
AVE 1.0.23 requires macOS 14.0 or later and Apple Silicon, M1 or later. The current release asset is AVE-1.0.23-mac-arm64.dmg.
Does AVE actually edit the timeline, or just add effects?
It performs real edits. AVE routes supported AI requests through validated tools for operations like trimming, cutting, moving, splitting, transitions, captions, search, rough cuts, sequence creation, and export preparation.
Can Codex or Claude Code work directly with AVE?
Yes. AVE MCP connects local Codex CLI or Claude Code installations to a controlled set of AVE project, search, edit, review, and export tools. Each assistant has its own access and approval settings.
Is AVE local-first and private?
Yes. Project files, imported media, local analysis, timeline execution, and exports stay on your Mac by default. External assistants, API providers, and BYO generation services are optional connections you choose.
What is AVE Pro?
AVE Pro Lifetime is a $79 lifetime purchase for the local Mac app. A 50% launch discount is available through August 15, 2026. Free lets you edit and try AI on small projects. Pro gives you more room for saved projects, analyzed assets, Ask, Plan, search, and multi-step AI edits.
Does Pro include hosted AI credits?
No. Pro unlocks the local app workflow. Hosted compute, managed generation credits, team infrastructure, and future cloud services may be separate if they are introduced later.
Download AVE for Mac. Upgrade when the work gets serious.
AVE 1.0.23 is ready for Apple Silicon Macs. Free is useful for small projects. AVE Pro Lifetime gives bigger projects more room, with 50% off through August 15.