Instagram’s First Draft: a one-tap starting edit for Reels

# What First Draft does Instagram's new First Draft feature assembles a rough edit of selected video clips to produce a base Reel quickly. The tool trims clips, removes pauses in speech, and identifies highlight moments to cut down raw footage into a shorter, shareable sequence. Instagram says the process can produce a first pass in under 10 seconds.

# How to use it

• From the Reels gallery: select multiple clips, then tap the First Draft button that appears at the bottom of the screen.
• From the camera: film footage, tap the First Draft button, and review the generated edit.

After First Draft produces the cut you can preview it, move into Instagram's full editor to refine timing, or publish directly if you're satisfied. Every change the tool makes is reversible: clips can be reordered, removed, or adjusted manually.

# Platform and rollout

# Who it's for Instagram positions First Draft as a time-saving option for creators who want a quick starting point, particularly people who have less experience with manual video editing. One of the app's developers, Shawn Simon, described the tool as a way to help rookie creators get to a rough cut more quickly.

# Limitations and real-world results

# Why it matters for creators First Draft reduces the busywork of trimming every clip individually, which can make Reels creation faster and lower the barrier to posting. If your workflow relies on precise timing for action shots or musical beats, expect to spend some time fixing the automatic cuts. If you mainly need a rapid starting point and plan to refine later, First Draft can shave off the slowest part of editing.

Instagram recently added other editing conveniences, such as the ability to replace audio on a post or carousel without deleting the post. First Draft follows these product moves aimed at making in-app editing more flexible.

# Quick checklist for trying First Draft

• Use it when you have several clips and want a rapid base edit.
• Review the result immediately for timing issues, especially with action shots or beats.
• Reorder or trim clips in the full editor if transitions look off.
• Expect the tool to be available only on iPhone for now.