Short answer
ChatGPT and Claude cannot make videos by themselves in 2026. OpenAI shut down Sora, and Claude has never made video. To get a finished video from a chat, you connect a video tool to the assistant with MCP. With StoryShort connected, you ask in plain words and get a video with a script, visuals, voice and captions.
Many people ask ChatGPT or Claude to make a video, and get a "no". In 2026 that answer is correct: neither assistant makes video by itself. But both can use tools. If you connect a video tool, you can ask for a video in plain words and get a finished file back. This guide explains what changed, how to connect a tool, and what you can ask. We checked every step on the official OpenAI and Anthropic help pages on October 6, 2026.
Can ChatGPT make videos in 2026?
No, not by itself. OpenAI closed its video product, Sora, in two steps:
April 26, 2026
The Sora website and apps closed. OpenAI's help page says: "The Sora web and app experiences were discontinued on April 26, 2026."
September 24, 2026
The Videos API and the sora-2 and sora-2-pro models were removed from the OpenAI API. OpenAI lists no replacement.
ChatGPT can still make images, and it can help you plan a video: a script, a storyboard, a shot list, captions or prompts for a video tool. To get the video itself, you need a video tool.
Sources: What to know about the Sora discontinuation, OpenAI API deprecations
Can Claude make videos?
No. Anthropic writes that "Claude does not produce photorealistic image or video output." Like ChatGPT, Claude can write and plan, and it can use tools you connect to it.
How to get a real video from a chat
Both assistants support MCP (Model Context Protocol). MCP is a standard way to connect a tool to an AI assistant. Once a video tool is connected:
You ask for a video in the chat.
The assistant calls the tool with your idea.
The tool writes the script, makes the scenes, the voice and the captions.
The assistant gives you the link to the finished video, and can post it for you.
A real example, made on October 6, 2026
We asked Claude, with the StoryShort connector turned on, for a short video. These are the real steps it took.
Make a 30-second vertical video about why octopuses have three hearts and blue blood. Simple facts, a fun tone, and one surprising fact at the end.
Claude
This will cost about 15 credits. I am starting the video now.
Claude
Your video is ready. It has 17 scenes, a voiceover and animated captions. Do you want me to post it to TikTok or YouTube?
Connect StoryShort to Claude
This works on the Claude website and the desktop app. Claude's Free plan allows one custom connector. Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise allow more.
- 1
In Claude, open Customize, then Connectors.
- 2
Click + Add, then Add custom connector.
- 3
Name it "StoryShort" and paste this URL:
https://api.storyshort.ai/mcp - 4
Click Add, then sign in to StoryShort to allow access.
- 5
In a new chat, click +, open Connectors and turn StoryShort on.
Add custom connector
Name
StoryShort
Remote MCP server URL
https://api.storyshort.ai/mcp
On Team and Enterprise plans, an owner first adds the connector in Organization settings, then Connectors. A connector you add on the web or desktop also shows up in the Claude mobile app.
In Customize, then Connectors, you can set each StoryShort tool to "Always allow", "Needs approval" or "Blocked". "Needs approval" is a good choice for publishing.
Claude Code: run claude mcp add --transport http storyshort https://api.storyshort.ai/mcp, then type /mcp in Claude Code to sign in.
Source: Getting started with custom connectors
Connect StoryShort to ChatGPT
ChatGPT also accepts custom MCP servers, but with limits today:
- Custom servers that take actions, like making a video, are a beta for Business, Enterprise and Edu plans.
- On Pro, OpenAI's help center says custom servers can only read and fetch data. ChatGPT's pricing page lists developer mode on Plus and Pro, but it does not say if actions work there.
- Custom MCP apps work on the web only, not in the mobile apps.
- On Business plans, only admins and owners can use developer mode.
If your plan allows it:
- 1
Turn on developer mode in ChatGPT's settings.
- 2
Open Plugins, click +, then Add custom MCP server.
- 3
Name it "StoryShort", paste
https://api.storyshort.ai/mcpand choose OAuth. - 4
Create it, sign in to StoryShort, then type @ in a chat and pick StoryShort.
StoryShort is not in the ChatGPT Plugin Directory yet. Some other video tools are. See the list below.
Source: Developer mode and MCP apps in ChatGPT
What you can ask
Make a 30-second video about the history of coffee, in Spanish.
A full video with script, scenes, voice and captions, in Spanish
Turn this article into a 60-second video: (link)
StoryShort reads the page and builds the video from it
Make 3 versions of this video.
Three versions of the same idea, to compare
Which voices sound good in French?
A list of voices you can pick from
Make a 5-second clip of a lighthouse at night with Kling v3.
One AI video clip with the model you chose
Post it to my TikTok tomorrow at 6 pm.
The video is scheduled on your connected account
The assistant checks the cost before it starts, and it can poll the video until it is ready. A short video usually takes a few minutes.
Costs and limits
Videos made from a chat use the same StoryShort credits as the app. A 30-second video with AI images costs about 15 credits. See how many credits a video costs.
Exporting the final MP4 needs a paid StoryShort plan.
You can remove an assistant's access at any time in StoryShort, under Settings, then API.
Only connect MCP servers you trust. OpenAI and Anthropic both warn that an unsafe server can try to trick the assistant.
Other video tools you can connect
Other video tools also offer MCP or a ChatGPT plugin. This list is not a ranking. We checked it on October 6, 2026.
| Tool | What it does with video | In ChatGPT's Plugin Directory | In Claude's directory |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeyGen | Avatar videos, translation, lip sync | (its HyperFrames tool is, for HTML animations) | |
| Runway | AI video generation and editing | ||
| Higgsfield | Many image and video models | ||
| invideo | Videos from a prompt, timeline editing | ||
| VEED | Talking avatar videos | ||
| Descript | Video editing by chat, clips, captions | ||
| Kling | Text to video and image to video |
Claude's directory lists video editing tools, but no AI video generators. Anthropic's directory policy does not accept "software that uses AI models to generate images, video, or audio content". AI video tools, including StoryShort, connect to Claude as custom connectors.
Connect StoryShort to your assistant
One server URL. Claude, ChatGPT and Claude Code can then make, edit and post videos for you.
Sources
All pages checked on October 6, 2026:
Frequently asked questions
Can ChatGPT make videos in 2026?
Not by itself. OpenAI closed the Sora app on April 26, 2026 and shut down the Sora video API on September 24, 2026, with no replacement. ChatGPT can still write scripts and plan videos, and it can use video tools that you connect to it.
Is Sora still available?
No. The Sora website and apps closed on April 26, 2026. The Videos API and the sora-2 models were removed from the OpenAI API on September 24, 2026. You can still export your old Sora content from OpenAI's sunset page.
Can Claude generate videos?
No. Anthropic says Claude does not produce photorealistic image or video output. Claude can write the script and plan the scenes, and it can use a video tool that you connect as a custom connector.
Is it free to make videos from Claude?
Adding a custom connector works on every Claude plan, including Free, which is limited to one custom connector. The video itself uses StoryShort credits, which come with a paid StoryShort plan.
Does it work on my phone?
In Claude, add the connector on the web or desktop app first. It then shows up in the Claude mobile app. In ChatGPT, OpenAI says custom MCP apps work on the web only.
Can the assistant post the video for me?
Yes. With StoryShort connected, the assistant can publish the video to your connected TikTok, YouTube or Instagram account, now or at a set time. It asks for your approval first if you set the tool to "Needs approval".