Instagram rolls out 'First Draft' tool to speed up Reels editing
Instagram has launched "First Draft," a new feature that automatically assembles an initial cut of a Reel from selected clips in under 10 seconds. The tool is currently available only on iPhone.
Instagram announced Tuesday, via a post on Threads, a new editing feature called "First Draft" designed to simplify one of the most tedious parts of making Reels.
The tool automatically trims selected video clips, removes pauses, and stitches together the best moments into an initial cut. According to Instagram, the process can generate a first version in under 10 seconds, which could save creators considerable editing time and make video creation more approachable for those without much experience using editing software. Rather than manually working through each clip, users can start from an automatically generated draft and refine it afterward.
iPhone only for now
First Draft is initially available only on iPhone. Creators can access it directly from Instagram's camera while recording, or from the Reels gallery after selecting multiple clips.
The concept itself is not new — similar automated editing tools already exist in products like Adobe Firefly's Quick Cuts and CapCut's Auto Cut. However, by building the feature directly into its own app, Instagram gives creators less incentive to move their footage to a separate editing platform.
Part of a broader push for creator tools
This year, Instagram has rolled out several other creator-focused tools, including "Replace Audio," which lets users swap the music on existing feed posts and carousels without deleting and re-uploading them. The company is also developing a new AI assistant for its video-editing app, Edits, and has been testing "Series," a feature that would let creators group related Reels together so they can be viewed in a specific order.
Notably, the First Draft announcement came on the same day Instagram head Adam Mosseri was expected to testify in a high-profile lawsuit against Meta over social media addiction. The suit alleges that Instagram and Facebook were designed in ways that encouraged compulsive use among children while failing to adequately address potential harms. Meta has denied the allegations.
