# AVE AVE is a local-first AI video editor for Mac with a real timeline, reviewable edit plans, and local export. It helps creators, marketers, editors, and Mac teams turn footage into polished deliverables while keeping projects on-device by default. - Findings24: - Website: - Pricing: Freemium - Categories: AI Video Editor ## What is AVE? AVE is a local-first AI video editor for Mac built around a real non-linear timeline. It is designed to help editors and teams go from raw footage to a finished cut while keeping project files, media, analysis, and exports on the local machine by default. The product combines Ask and Plan modes with reviewable edit plans, so AI can search footage, propose multi-step edits, and execute supported timeline actions only after approval. The app also supports local export, Apple Silicon Macs, and a controlled MCP bridge for Codex CLI or Claude Code. ## What can AVE do? ### Real timeline edits AVE supports supported AI-driven timeline actions such as trim, split, ripple, move, duplicate, delete, retime, close gaps, add transitions, add captions, adjust volume, and apply motion on an editable timeline. ### Footage-aware planning Plans can use imported assets, transcripts, visual notes, clip metadata, and current timeline context, which helps keep suggestions grounded in the project instead of in a generic prompt. ### Multi-format editing Create deliverables in 16:9, 4:5, 1:1, 9:16, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Shorts, YouTube, websites, and custom formats. ### Graphics and polish Use titles, lower thirds, shapes, brand-aware styling, camera presets, color correction, opacity, masking, and motion actions when the edit needs finishing. ### Local-first by default Project files, imported media, local analysis, timeline execution, and exports stay on the Mac by default, with encrypted storage for BYO provider keys in the desktop app. ### Ask, Plan, and local assistant workflows AVE supports Ask mode for questions and smaller edits, Plan mode for approval-gated edit plans, and local assistant connections for Codex CLI or Claude Code through AVE MCP. ## Use Cases ### Short-form clips from long footage Turn podcasts, launch footage, interviews, and event recordings into vertical clips without manually hunting every usable moment. The site’s example request emphasizes finding a 30-second segment, keeping the punchline intact, removing dead air, and adding captions. ### Launch videos and campaign variants Build launch cuts, ads, founder clips, feature explainers, and social variants from one footage pool while keeping timeline control. AVE is positioned for teams that need website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Shorts versions from the same source material. ### YouTube, podcast, and interview editing Use transcript search, visual search, and plan previews to tighten episodes, highlights, and promotional clips from talking-head footage. This fits YouTube, podcast, and interview editing where finding the right section is often the hardest part. ### Private client and internal video work Edit sensitive footage on your Mac by default, then choose whether to connect external assistants, APIs, or generation providers. This use case is aimed at agencies, consultants, and internal teams working with private projects. ### Generated footage assembly Import generated clips, search the assets, assemble a sequence, and leave the edit ready for manual polish. AVE serves as the editing layer around generated footage rather than replacing the editor’s final pass. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is AVE? AVE is a local-first AI video editor for Mac. It combines a non-linear timeline with Ask and Plan modes, so you can search, review, and approve edits before they are applied to the timeline. ### Is AVE available to download? Yes. The site says AVE 1.0.21 is available for Apple Silicon Macs, and the current download is a DMG that you install by dragging AVE into Applications. ### What Mac does AVE support? AVE requires macOS 14.0 or later and Apple Silicon, M1 or later. ### Does AVE actually edit the timeline? AVE performs real timeline edits. Supported actions include trimming, cutting, moving, splitting, transitions, captions, search, rough cuts, sequence creation, and export preparation. ### Can Codex CLI or Claude Code work 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 through a local authenticated bridge. ## Quick Facts - **Category**: Video Editing - **Platform**: macOS 14.0+; Apple Silicon M1 or later - **Primary users**: Creators, marketers, editors, and Mac teams - **Workflow**: Ask, Plan, review, edit on timeline, export locally - **Source domain**: aivideoeditor.app - **Integration note**: AVE MCP supports Codex CLI and Claude Code