Setting Up Remotion + Claude Code
Install Remotion, understand the project structure, configure Claude Code CLI for video development, and create your first AI-generated video component.
Step 1: Install Remotion
Create a new Remotion project using the official CLI:
# Create a new Remotion project npx create-video@latest my-video # Navigate to the project cd my-video # Start the development studio npx remotion studio
The Remotion Studio will open in your browser at http://localhost:3000, showing a preview of the default video with a frame scrubber and playback controls.
Step 2: Project Structure
Understanding the Remotion project structure is essential:
my-video/ ├── src/ │ ├── Root.tsx # Registers all compositions │ ├── HelloWorld.tsx # A video component │ └── MyComposition.tsx # Another video component ├── public/ # Static assets (images, fonts) ├── remotion.config.ts # Remotion configuration ├── package.json └── tsconfig.json
Key Concepts
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Composition | A registered video with defined width, height, FPS, and duration. Think of it as a video "project." |
| Sequence | A time-shifted section within a composition. Used to arrange scenes one after another. |
| Frame | A single image in the video. At 30fps, a 10-second video has 300 frames. |
| useCurrentFrame() | Hook that returns the current frame number. This is how you animate. |
| useVideoConfig() | Hook that returns fps, width, height, and durationInFrames. |
| interpolate() | Maps a frame range to an output range. Essential for smooth animations. |
| spring() | Creates physics-based spring animations for natural motion. |
Step 3: Configure Claude Code
Set up Claude Code CLI to work effectively with your Remotion project. Create a CLAUDE.md file in your project root to give Claude context:
# Remotion Video Project This is a Remotion video project using React and TypeScript. ## Key Files - src/Root.tsx: Register all compositions here - src/: Video components go here - public/: Static assets (images, audio, fonts) ## Conventions - Use TypeScript for all components - Use useCurrentFrame() and interpolate() for animations - Use spring() for physics-based motion - Use <Sequence> to arrange scenes in order - Videos are 1920x1080 at 30fps unless specified - Export components from their own files - Register compositions in Root.tsx
Step 4: Your First AI-Generated Component
Open Claude Code CLI in your project directory and ask it to create a video component:
# In your project directory, run: claude # Then ask Claude Code: "Create a Remotion component called TitleCard that shows a centered title 'Hello AI Video' with a fade-in animation over 1 second, then stays visible for 2 seconds, then fades out over 0.5 seconds. Use a dark gradient background. Register it as a composition in Root.tsx with 30fps and the correct duration."
Claude Code will create the component file and update Root.tsx. Run npx remotion studio to see the result instantly in your browser.
💡 Try It: Create Your First Video
Follow the steps above to install Remotion and create your first project. Then use Claude Code to generate a simple title card component. Preview it in the Remotion Studio and experiment with changing the text, colors, and animation timing.
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