v0.8 | Multi-track editing, a new Preview app, and better support for misc production tasks
ButterCut Pro · Get started

Install
ButterCut Pro

Mac · Claude desktop app · 5–15 minutes
A hand-drawn tub of popcorn

Keep your purchase receipt handy — the email from Lemon Squeezy. You'll need two things from it: the email address you bought with, and your license key.

00
Precheck

Ensure Claude Desktop works in Code mode.

The Claude Code prompt bar set to Local mode with the buttercut-pro-installer folder, and the model intelligence set to High
ButterCut Pro always needs to run in Local mode. If this says Cloud, click it and change it to Local. We recommend running Claude intelligence on the High setting using Opus if you're on a Max plan or Sonnet if you're on a Pro plan.
  1. 1
    Open the Claude desktop app and click the Code tab at the top of the window.
    The Code tab selected in the Claude desktop app sidebar
  2. 2 If Claude pops up a message that says Git is required, click Not now. Your Mac will then offer to install Apple's free command line developer tools — a window appears (or an installer icon shows up on the right side of your Dock). Click Install, agree, and let it finish. It takes about ten minutes.
  3. 3 No message about Git? Your Mac is already set — carry on to Step 1.
01
Download & install

Download and install ButterCut Pro.

The ButterCut Pro Installer is a tiny .zip file — a collection of instructions so Claude can download ButterCut Pro and set everything up.

  1. 1
    Download the installer, then find it (usually in your Downloads folder) and double-click to unzip. You'll get a folder named buttercut-pro-installer. Download the installer
  2. 2 Back in the Code tab, look at the bar along the bottom. Set the folder to that buttercut-pro-installer folder, and switch Cloud to Local.
  3. 3
    Type this and send it:
    Paste into Claude
    Install ButterCut Pro.
  4. 4 Claude asks for the email and license key from your receipt. Paste them in. Claude downloads ButterCut Pro, saves your license so updates just work from here on, and installs everything it needs — about five to ten minutes, mostly waiting on downloads.
02
Edit

Open ButterCut Pro and start editing.

  1. 1 When Claude says ButterCut Pro is installed and ready, quit Claude completely (Cmd + Q, or right-click its Dock icon → Quit) and reopen it — a new chat alone won't pick up the changes. Then click the Code tab and set the folder at the bottom to buttercut-pro (it's in your home folder) — still Local. If a worktree option appears, leave it unchecked.
  2. 2
    Type /buttercut to open the home menu. It welcomes you and walks you through creating your first library and first basic cut.
    Type into Claude
    /buttercut

    That's it — you're editing. The installer folder has done its job and can be deleted.

Run into a snag? Email Andrew directly.

Andrew@tubesalt.com