Instagram launches First Draft to automate Reels video editing

Instagram has introduced a new feature called ‘First Draft’ designed to automate the initial stages of Reels video editing. The tool allows users to select multiple video clips and, with a single tap, generates a preliminary edit in less than 10 seconds. The automated process analyzes the footage to identify and remove silent pauses, dead air, and unnecessary segments, assembling the remaining highlights into a coherent sequence.

This feature is intended to reduce the technical friction of content creation, providing a starting point for creators rather than a finished product. All automated edits are fully reversible, allowing users to reorder clips, adjust cuts, or add music and text within the standard Reels editor. Instagram is positioning the tool as a way to help creators focus more on storytelling and creativity rather than repetitive manual trimming.

Currently, First Draft is rolling out exclusively to iPhone users on iOS. It can be accessed either through the Reels gallery after selecting clips or directly through the Instagram camera during recording. While similar automated tools exist in third-party applications like CapCut and Adobe Firefly, Instagram’s integration aims to keep creators within its own ecosystem. Meta has noted that the feature utilizes machine learning rather than generative AI to perform these technical edits.