# Layerform: start here

You don't need to know how to code. Claude does the technical part; you describe the video you want.

## 1. Open Claude Code
Open the **Claude desktop app** and switch to the **Code** tab. This needs a paid Claude plan (Pro or Max) or an API key.
If you already use Claude Code in a terminal or editor, that works too.

## 2. Install the skill
Put this zip in a folder, open that folder in the Code tab, and type:

> Install the Layerform skill from this zip.

Claude unpacks it into `~/.claude/skills/video-effects/` and checks your computer. If a helper program is missing
(for example Node.js or FFmpeg), Claude tells you what it is for and installs it **only if you say yes**.

Prefer doing it by hand? Unzip so that the file `SKILL.md` ends up at `~/.claude/skills/video-effects/SKILL.md`.

## 3. Add your files
Put your clip, logo and voice-over (optional) in the same folder.

## 4. Say what you want
Type `/video-effects` followed by your request in plain words, for example:

> /video-effects Make a 20-second promo for my bakery from clip.mp4. Warm colors, big captions, and an "Order now" button at the end.

Claude asks a few quick questions, suggests templates and renders every effect.

## 5. Post it
You get a **finished video** (`final/…-final.mp4`) that is ready to post: your clip, the effects and the audio, all in one file.

Want a change? Just say it ("make the captions bigger", "the button should say Order today") and Claude re-renders it.

Like editing by hand? Every effect is also saved as a separate transparent layer in the `layers/` folder for CapCut, Premiere, DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut.

## Stuck? Just ask Claude
Ask anything, in any language:
- "What can the video-effects skill do?"
- "Which templates suit a dental clinic?"
- "How do I put these layers in CapCut?"
- "Make the captions bigger and use my logo colors."

Claude has read the whole skill and answers in plain English, then does the work for you.