Start with a direction
Meridian’s AI agent works with your project to make supported edits. Ask for cuts, titles, color adjustments, sound levels, retiming, or an alternate sequence. Then refine the result in the same chat. You can also take over on the timeline and use Undo when a change is not right.
A useful request includes the audience, length, style, and anything to preserve. For example: “Make a 30-second travel film with a strong opening. Keep the closing shot, add a short title, and fade the music out.” This is an example brief, not a guaranteed one-step result. Review the picture and sound before sharing a finished film.
Connect your OpenAI account
Open Agent, then Agent Settings. Enter your own OpenAI API key and choose Save. Meridian stores it in this Mac’s Keychain. Never put a key in your message, a project, or a support report.
OpenAI bills API use directly to your account. A ChatGPT subscription does not include API usage, and a Meridian subscription does not pay for those calls. Review your OpenAI account’s billing and usage controls before starting.
Review the sharing controls in Agent Settings. Editing requests and project metadata are sent to OpenAI when you use the agent. Caption text and requested video frames have separate controls. Raw audio stays local. Some requests need information that you have chosen not to share; the agent should explain that limit instead of claiming to have reviewed it.
Check available AI options
The available AI options appear in Agent Settings. Advanced AI editing requires a Meridian subscription. All AI requests use your own API key and incur separate usage charges.
Use Check Model Access in Agent Settings to check which models your OpenAI account can use. An unavailable model is not silently substituted. Account permissions, region, quota, and provider availability may limit access. Speed, cost, and results vary by model and request.
Keep refining
Try a focused follow-up such as “Keep the opening shot longer” or “Make the grade warmer.” Review the timeline changes and replay the affected section. AI can make mistakes; a complex brief may need several passes or a manual adjustment.
Use Stop to request cancellation of a pending response. If a connection is interrupted, return to the existing chat to continue or stop that request rather than sending a duplicate. Check any recovery message before beginning another paid request.
Finish on your terms
A Meridian subscription includes unlimited exports, advanced AI editing, and priority support. AI usage is billed separately. Your saved projects remain on your device. See subscription access and saving and recovery for the next steps.