# How to make a launch video with Claude Code

> Set up ShowTake once, then ask Claude Code for a launch video of your iOS or Mac app, with real footage, zooms and captions.

Source: https://showtake.app/guides/launch-video-with-claude-code

Claude Code already knows your app's code. With ShowTake's MCP server it can also run the app, film a demo and export it for X, TikTok or the App Store. This guide takes about ten minutes the first time.

## 1. Install ShowTake and connect Claude Code

[Download ShowTake](https://showtake.app/download) (or `brew install --cask orchestero/tap/showtake`), then add the MCP server once:

```sh
claude mcp add --scope user showtake -- "/Applications/ShowTake.app/Contents/MacOS/showtake-mcp"
```

For iOS apps you also need Xcode with an iOS Simulator runtime; everything else is built into ShowTake.

## 2. Ask for the video

Start Claude Code in your app's repo and say what the video should show:

```text
Make a 25-second launch video of the app: create a note, add a photo,
and share it. Captions in plain words. Save it as a replayable flow.
```

Claude Code will:

1. list the schemes and simulators (`list_targets`),
2. build the app and prepare a clean simulator at 9:41 (`prepare_ios`, a few minutes the first time),
3. explore the screens it needs without recording,
4. plan six to eight steps with a caption each, launch the app fresh and film them (`start_take` … `end_take`),
5. retake on its own if the take was not clean,
6. save the flow (`save_flow`).

## 3. Export the cuts

```text
Render it with the indigo background and export X 16:9, 9:16 and the App Preview.
```

Exports land in `~/Movies/ShowTake/<project>/exports/`. Pro removes the watermark and adds the App Store and vertical presets; the free version exports X 16:9 at 1080p.

## 4. Post it

A launch post works best with one short video that shows the app doing its main job, no intro card. Post the 16:9 cut on X, the 9:16 cut on TikTok, Reels and Shorts, and upload the App Preview to App Store Connect.

## 5. Re-shoot for every release

When the UI changes or you add a language:

```text
Replay the flow launch-video in en_US, de_DE and ja_JP.
```

No agent tokens are used for replays; each step is checked against the original take.

## Tips

- Give Claude Code a [demo mode](https://showtake.app/docs/demo-mode) so the app opens signed in with realistic data.
- Add `.accessibilityIdentifier` to key buttons; takes and replays get more reliable.
- Prefer one feature per video. Two features make two videos.