> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cutaway-docs.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# The first cut

> Cutaway puts your video together for you. Here's what it does and how to steer it.

After you record, Cutaway can make a **first cut**: a ready-to-watch version of your video. It:

* removes long pauses where nothing happens,
* removes filler words like "um" and "uh",
* switches between your screen and your face at good moments,
* adds zooms when you show something small.

You can change anything it does afterwards.

## Make a first cut

![The first cut screen: who it's for, length, pacing, movement, and the Create first cut button](https://mintcdn.com/cutaway-docs/XxDikROkCqqX_dyv/images/screens/first-cut-brief.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=XxDikROkCqqX_dyv\&q=85\&s=56fec197c504b35029ede7721d1a3275)

**1. Answer a few questions (or don't)**

The choices already selected work well. Change only what you care about:

* **Who is it for?** For example, "people learning this for the first time".
* **Length**: keep **Natural length**, or aim for about 3, 5, 8 or 12 minutes.
* **Pacing**: **Balanced** is the default. **Relaxed** keeps more pauses. **Energetic** is snappier.
* **Movement**: **Balanced** is the default. **Calm** means fewer zooms. **Lively** means more.
* **Use my B-roll where it fits**: on by default. If you added pictures or videos to the project, the first cut can show them over your footage (this needs the [AI helpers](https://cutaway-docs.mintlify.site/ai/set-up-ai.md)). Your voice keeps playing underneath. See [B-roll](https://cutaway-docs.mintlify.site/edit/b-roll.md).
* **Anything else?** Write any wishes in your own words. This is optional.

**2. Press Create first cut**

Cutaway works for a little while, then opens your video in the editor.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Prefer to do it all yourself? Press **Skip and edit by hand**.

## Make a new first cut

Changed your mind about the pacing? Press **First cut** in the top bar, change your choices, and press **Create a new first cut**.

Your own changes are kept. Cutaway saves your current version first, so you can always go back. See [Undo and versions](https://cutaway-docs.mintlify.site/edit/undo-and-versions.md).

## With or without AI

The first cut works fine without any AI. Cutaway uses its own built-in rules, and nothing leaves your Mac.

If you [set up the AI helpers](https://cutaway-docs.mintlify.site/ai/set-up-ai.md), Cutaway can also ask Claude or Codex for smarter choices, like which parts to keep. It always asks you first before sending anything.

## See what changed

Open the **AI review** panel (the sparkle icon in the sidebar) to see every change the first cut made, and put back anything you want. See [AI review](https://cutaway-docs.mintlify.site/ai/ai-review.md).


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.