Palmier Pro – Open-Source AI Video Editor That Generates Video and Images During Editing

1. What is Palmier Pro

Palmier Pro is a macOS-native video editor built from scratch using Swift, designed for the AI era. It is open-source and offers its core features for free. Its key innovation lies in embedding generative AI directly into the timeline, supporting models like Seedance and Kling to generate video, images, and audio within the editing process. Through the MCP protocol, it deeply collaborates with AI agents such as Claude, Cursor, and Codex, enabling human-AI co-editing. Users can mix their own media with AI-generated content and export to MP4 or NLE XML, balancing traditional editing precision with AI-driven creative efficiency.

Image source: Official article
Image source: official article

Technical positioning and domain: Palmier Pro lies at the intersection of video editing and generative AI, positioning itself as an "AI-native video editor." Unlike traditional editing software such as Premiere Pro, it integrates AI capabilities like text-to-video generation and image super-resolution directly into the timeline, eliminating the need for users to switch between generation platforms and editing tools. Compared to generation platforms like Runway, it provides professional-level multi-track timeline editing capabilities, emphasizing the editing workflow rather than pure generation. This unique positioning makes it a bridge between AI-generated content and professional editing.

Development background: Developed by the Palmier team, the product was built from scratch using Swift and deeply optimized for macOS 26 (Tahoe) and Apple Silicon chips, reflecting its focus on the Apple ecosystem. The project uses the GPLv3 open-source license, with the editor itself, the MCP server, and the Agent chat functionality all open-sourced. Basic editing features are completely free. This strategy aims to attract contributions from the developer community in the form of plugins and extensions, while also lowering the barrier to entry for creators.

Core value: The core problem that Palmier Pro addresses is the fragmentation between AI-generated content and the editing workflow in AI video creation. Traditional workflows require creators to generate content on platforms like Runway, download it, and then import it into Davinci Resolve or Premiere Pro for editing — a cumbersome and non-iterative process. Palmier Pro achieves a one-stop closed-loop with its "AI-native timeline," enabling generation, iteration, trimming, and export all within the same interface. It also allows AI agents to directly manipulate the timeline via the MCP protocol, achieving collaborative editing between humans and AI, significantly improving creative efficiency. Additionally, its open-source and free core features enable individual creators and small teams to experiment with AI video editing at zero cost.

Technical features: The key technical advantages of Palmier Pro include: 1) an AI-native timeline architecture that integrates generative AI models as part of the editing tools, allowing generation, iteration, and trimming directly within the timeline; 2) an open timeline interface via the MCP protocol, enabling AI agents like Claude, Cursor, and Codex to read projects and perform editing operations, achieving deep human-AI collaboration; 3) support for exporting in NLE XML format, allowing seamless integration with Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, and incorporating into professional post-production workflows; 4) integration with multiple generation models (Seedance, Kling, Nano Banana Pro), covering video, image, and audio generation as well as super-resolution processing.

2. Key Features

• AI Native Timeline: Integrates generative AI directly into the editing workflow, allowing users to generate, iterate, and trim videos and images directly within the timeline, without switching to other generation platforms. This design breaks down the barriers between traditional editing software and AI tools, achieving a closed-loop creative process. Users can complete all steps from conceptualization to final output within the same project.

• Built-in Media Generation: Integrates multiple models such as Seedance, Kling, and Nano Banana Pro, supporting video generation from text/images, image generation, audio generation, and super-resolution processing. Users can directly invoke these models on the timeline, generate required materials based on prompts, and immediately make editing adjustments, significantly reducing the waiting time between material acquisition and editing.

• AI Agent Collaboration: Opens the timeline interface via the MCP (Model Context Protocol), enabling AI Agents like Claude, Cursor, and Codex to read the project structure and directly manipulate the timeline. Agents can automatically generate materials, perform rough cuts, and add transitions, while human editors only need to handle fine-tuning and creative decisions, achieving true human-AI collaborative editing.

• Professional Export Compatibility: Supports exporting to MP4 (H.264/H.265/ProRes) and NLE XML formats. NLE XML can be directly imported into Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, preserving the timeline track structure, editing order, and basic properties, making it convenient for users to transfer their rough-cut projects to professional software for in-depth color grading and fine editing.

• Hybrid Material Montage: Supports seamless blending of user-owned materials (such as live-action footage and downloaded content) and AI-generated content on the same timeline, enabling collaborative editing between traditional and AI-generated materials. Creators can fully utilize their existing material libraries while flexibly incorporating AI-generated creative elements, expanding creative boundaries while maintaining a realistic texture.

• Multi-track Fine Editing: Provides a professional multi-track timeline similar to Adobe Premiere Pro, supporting traditional editing operations such as cutting, splicing, adjusting speed, and adjusting audio, meeting the needs of detailed editing. Deeply integrated with AI generation capabilities, users can invoke AI to generate new materials or enhance resolution during the fine editing process, maintaining the continuity of the creative workflow.

3. How to Use

1. System Requirements: Requires a Mac device with Apple Silicon (M1 or newer chip) and macOS 26 (Tahoe) or higher. The basic version allows editing without logging in; AI generation features require account registration and Credits. It is recommended to have at least 16GB of memory and retain over 10GB of available storage space.

2. Download and Installation: Visit the Palmier Pro official website (link will be updated after official release) and run the application from the Applications folder. The first launch may require enabling applications from unknown developers in the Security & Privacy section of System Preferences. No additional dependencies are required.

3. Basic Editing Operations: After importing media, drag and drop it onto the timeline. Use the mouse or keyboard shortcuts for cutting (Cmd+B), splicing, adjusting speed (right-click on the clip and select "Speed"), and adjusting audio levels (volume adjustment on audio tracks). The timeline supports multi-track stacking and allows adding text, images, and other overlays. All editing operations are previewed in real-time.

4. AI-Generated Content: Locate the moment on the timeline where you want to insert AI-generated content, then click the Generate button or right-click and select "AI Generate." In the panel that appears, choose a model (such as Seedance, Kling), input text prompts or upload reference images, and set parameters like resolution and duration before generating. The generated video/image will be automatically inserted into the specified position on the timeline and can be immediately edited and adjusted.

5. AI Agent Collaboration: Ensure that Palmier Pro is running, and configure the MCP server address of Palmier in an Agent that supports MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Codex (typically localhost:port). Once connected, the Agent can read the project timeline structure and execute commands such as "Insert a 5-second AI-generated video on the third track." It is recommended to clearly describe your requirements in the Agent to achieve more accurate operations.

6. Exporting the Final Product: After editing is complete, click Export and choose the output format. If you need to continue editing in professional software, select the NLE XML format to preserve the timeline structure. If you plan to publish directly, choose MP4 (H.264/H.265 or ProRes). Note that ProRes files are large in size and are suitable for post-production exchange; H.264/H.265 is more suitable for online distribution.

7. Important Notes: AI generation consumes Credits. It is recommended to first use low-resolution for quick previews and generate high-resolution versions only after you are satisfied. MCP connections require Palmier Pro to be running in the foreground or background; if the application is closed, the Agent will not be able to operate on the timeline. Save your project regularly to avoid accidental data loss.

4. Pros and Cons Analysis

5. Comparative Analysis with Similar Tools

Selection Recommendations: For creators seeking seamless integration of AI generation and editing, and who wish to leverage AI Agents for human-machine collaboration, Palmier Pro offers unique value, especially for independent creators and small teams within the macOS ecosystem. If the workflow centers on AI generation with minimal editing requirements, Runway's browser-based cross-platform support and rich generation models may be more convenient. For teams requiring professional-grade timeline editing, complex color grading, and advanced audio post-production with established post-production workflows, Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve remain the primary tools. Palmier Pro can serve as an auxiliary tool for AI generation and preliminary editing, connecting via NLE XML to maintain professional processes while introducing AI-driven efficiency.

6. Editor's Summary

Palmier Pro has made a valuable exploration in the field of AI video editing. Its core innovation lies in deeply integrating generative AI into professional timelines and opening up editing interfaces via the MCP protocol, enabling collaborative work between AI agents and human editors. This architecture breaks down the barriers between traditional editing software and AI tools, offering new possibilities for video creation. In terms of practical value, Palmier Pro effectively shortens the path from AI generation to final output, making it particularly suitable for scenarios requiring rapid creative iteration and the hybrid use of traditional and AI-generated materials. The open-source and free basic features lower the barrier to entry for trial use, but the pay-per-use model for AI generation may limit the cost-effectiveness for heavy users. In terms of target users, Palmier Pro primarily caters to independent creators, small studios, and AI technology enthusiasts within the macOS ecosystem. For professional post-production teams, it is more appropriate as an AI-assisted front-end tool that can work in conjunction with primary software through XML exchange. In terms of future development prospects, the platform's extensibility (support for Windows/Linux), the richness and stability of its model ecosystem, and community building (ability to attract developers to contribute plugins) will be key factors in determining its success in the market. If these challenges can be addressed, Palmier Pro has the potential to become an important component in the AI video editing workflow.

7. Application Scenarios

• AI-Native Video Creation: Generate video content directly from text or image prompts within the timeline, and immediately perform editing, splicing, and speed adjustments without switching between Runway and Premiere. Ideal for creating concept clips, music videos, and experimental content, significantly shortening the creative validation cycle.

• Human-AI Collaborative Editing: Connect to AI Agents like Claude and Cursor via MCP, allowing the agents to handle repetitive tasks such as content generation, rough cuts, and transition insertion, while human editors focus on creative decisions and fine-tuning. Suitable for advertising and social media marketing scenarios requiring rapid production of multiple content versions, enhancing team productivity.

• Hybrid Content Production: Mix real footage with AI-generated segments on the same timeline, such as overlaying AI-generated dynamic elements on live-action backgrounds or using AI-generated transition shots. Applicable to commercial projects that combine real-world texture with AI creativity, such as product promos and brand storytelling.

• Rapid Ad/Social Media Prototyping: Quickly generate multiple versions of ad content using built-in models like Seedance and Kling, directly compare, adjust, and output them within the timeline, drastically reducing the creative proposal cycle. Ideal for social media content creators and marketing teams needing to rapidly respond to trending topics.

• Cross-Platform Workflow Integration: Complete AI content generation and rough editing in Palmier Pro, then export NLE XML to Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve for advanced color grading, audio post-production, and fine editing. Suitable for professional post-production teams integrating AI into existing pipelines while maintaining the final output quality.

8. FAQ

Q: Does Palmier Pro support Windows or Linux?
A: Not currently. Palmier Pro is a native macOS application built with Swift, and it only supports macOS 26 (Tahoe) and later versions. It requires an Apple Silicon chip (M1 or newer). There are no plans for Windows/Linux versions at this time.

Q: Is the basic version free? How is AI generation billed?
A: The video editor itself, MCP server, and Agent chat functionality are completely free and open source (GPLv3). AI generation (using models such as Seedance and Kling) consumes Credits. The exact pricing has not been fully disclosed yet. Users must register an account to view Credit packages. It is recommended to try the free tier first.

Q: How can I import a Palmier Pro project into Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve?
A: When exporting, choose the NLE XML format, which preserves the timeline track structure, editing order, and basic properties. Both Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve can directly import this format. However, note that some effects or source files of AI-generated materials must be migrated together, or they may appear offline.

Q: What is the MCP protocol? How do I connect to Claude/Cursor?
A: MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a protocol that allows AI Agents to interact with applications. Palmier Pro implements an MCP server, exposing an interface when the application is running. In clients that support MCP, such as the desktop version of Claude or Cursor, configure the MCP server address of Palmier (usually localhost:port), and the Agent will be able to read the timeline and perform editing operations. For specific configuration methods, refer to the official documentation.

Q: Which AI models does Palmier Pro support? Can I add custom models?
A: Currently, it supports built-in models such as Seedance (video generation), Kling (video generation), and Nano Banana Pro (image generation/super-resolution). Since the editor is open source, developers can integrate other models by modifying the code or developing plugins. However, the official version does not provide a simple interface for adding models, and some development capability is required.

Q: What Mac configuration is needed to use Palmier Pro?
A: A Mac with an Apple Silicon chip (M1, M2, M3, or M4 series) and macOS 26 (Tahoe) or newer is required. At least 16GB of memory is recommended, as AI generation and video previews consume significant memory. For storage, it is advised to have at least 10GB of available space. The base model with integrated graphics on the M1 may be slower when generating high-resolution content.

9. Project Links

• Product Official Website: https://www.palmier.io/
• GitHub Repository: https://github.com/palmier-io/palmier-pro