# Edit a video (https://www.getfounderhq.com/docs/studio/edit-a-video)

The editor is a timeline with a preview above it and Astro beside it. You
can make every change by hand, or describe the change and let Astro edit
the timeline.

## Start an edit

There are three ways in.

| You have | Do this |
| --- | --- |
| A video you just generated | Press **Open in editor** on it in **Create**. |
| Footage of your own, or an older Studio video | Open [Studio → Editor](https://app.getfounderhq.com/studio/editor), press **Create**, then **Start from a video**. Pick the video or upload one, then press **Start editing**. |
| Nothing yet | Press **Create**, then **Blank project**, and choose a shape: **9:16** for Reels and TikTok, **16:9** for YouTube and the web, **1:1** for a feed. |

The editor saves by itself. Your edits are listed on the Editor page,
where you can rename, duplicate, or delete one.

## The screen

| Area | What it is for |
| --- | --- |
| Left | The chat with Astro |
| Center | The preview, with play, a seek bar, and **Fullscreen** |
| Bottom | The timeline. Drag its top edge to make it taller. |
| Right | Settings for the item you selected. It appears only when something is selected. |
| Top right | **Version history** and **Export** |

## Ask Astro to edit

Type what you want in the chat on the left. For example:

- "Trim the dead air at the start and end."
- "Add bold captions to the whole video."
- "Make the pacing feel snappier."

Astro changes the timeline and you see the result in the preview. To ask
about one moment, move to it and press **Show Astro this frame**.

Every change Astro makes is a version you can undo. See
[Go back to an earlier version](#go-back-to-an-earlier-version).

## Edit on the timeline

The toolbar above the timeline adds and cuts.

| Button | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Media** | Adds a video, an image, or audio from your Media Library |
| **Text** | Adds a text item |
| **Captions** | Writes captions from the speech. See [Add captions](/studio/add-captions). |
| **Split** | Cuts the selected clip at the playhead |
| **Delete selected** | Removes the selected item |
| **Undo**, **Redo** | Steps back and forward |
| **Zoom out**, **Zoom in** | Shows more or less of the timeline. The picture does not change. |

Drag a clip to move it. Drag its edge to trim it.

### Layers

Each row of the timeline is a layer. A higher layer covers the ones below
it. Right-click a layer to hide, mute, or lock it, to move it up or down,
or to delete it. **Separate audio** moves a clip's sound to its own layer.
Double-click a layer's name to rename it.

### Change the selected item

Select an item on the timeline or in the preview. Its settings open on the
right.

| Item | Settings |
| --- | --- |
| Text | The words, **Size**, **Text colour**, and a **Backdrop** behind them |
| Video or audio | **Volume** up to 200%, and **Speed** from 0.25x to 3x |
| Video or image | **Remove background** takes one colour out, such as a green screen. Pick the colour and set the **Strength**. |
| Image | **Size** and **Opacity** |
| Any item | **Transition in** and **Transition out**: Fade, Slide, or Wipe, up to 2 seconds |

In the preview, drag an item to move it and drag a corner to resize it.
**Reset position** puts it back.

### Change the shape of the video

Use the **Aspect ratio** menu on the preview. It has vertical, widescreen,
square, and four more shapes. **Adaptive** fits the shape of your footage.

## Keyboard shortcuts

| Keys | Action |
| --- | --- |
| Delete or Backspace | Remove the selected item |
| Cmd/Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + Z | Redo |

## Go back to an earlier version

Press **Version history**. Each entry says whether **You** or **Astro**
made it. Click one to preview it, then press **Restore** to return to it,
or **Back to current** to leave things as they are.

## Next

[Add captions](/studio/add-captions), then
[export the video](/studio/export-a-video).