# Compose Video

> Describe the video you want, and an AI model arranges your connected images, clips and audio into a timed, multi-track composition that Render Video renders.

Source: https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/compose-video

The **Compose Video** node turns a text prompt and your connected media into a video composition. A language model reads your prompt and the connected images, clips and audio, and arranges them into a multi-track timeline with timing, layers and transitions. The output is a plan, and a [Render Video](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/render-video) node renders it into the final video.

- Found in: Video › Cut & Assemble
- Output: video
- API type: `video-composer`

## When to use it
- Assemble generated images and a narration into a slideshow or an explainer video.
- Build a documentary-style piece from several media sources.
- Cut a social media reel from a collection of clips and images.
- Turn the assets of a generated script into a scene-based video.

For exact, manual control over up to four video layers, use [Composite](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/composite). To join clips one after another, use [Combine Videos](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/combine-videos).

## Quick start
### Add the node

Press Tab on the canvas and choose **Video › Cut & Assemble › Compose Video**.

### Connect the media

Wire images, clips and audio into the **Assets** input. The input takes many connections.

### Order the media

Open the settings panel and drag the items in the **Media Order** list. The items at the top get more priority in the composition.

### Write the composition prompt

Describe the video in the **Composition Prompt**: the style, the timing, the transitions and the layering. Refer to a connected item by its name with `@`.

### Run it and render

Click **Run** on the node to create the plan. Then wire the **Composition** output into a [Render Video](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/render-video) node and run that node to get the video.

Workflow: Compose Video arranges a product shot, b-roll and a narration into a 30-second showcase, and Render Video renders it.

- Generate Image → Compose Video (assets)
- Upload Video → Compose Video (assets)
- Text to Speech → Compose Video (assets)
- Compose Video → Render Video (composition)

## Inputs
| Input | Accepts | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Assets** | Image, video and audio nodes | The media to compose. Connect as many items as you need. |

The output, **Composition**, is the composition plan. Connect it to a [Render Video](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/render-video) node to produce the video file.

## Settings
| Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Media Order** | The connected media. Drag the items to set their priority: the model features the items at the top more. |
| **AI Model** | The language model that plans the composition. The default is Claude Sonnet 4.6. |
| **Reasoning Effort** | Shown for models that can reason. **Auto (model default)** is the default and does not change the price. The levels vary per model, and the `xhigh` and `max` levels bill one tier higher. |
| **Advanced mode** | Available on Gemini models. Runs the model directly with the model maker, which unlocks **Temperature**, **Max Tokens** and the full range of reasoning depth. It costs one credit tier more, and the node's price updates as soon as you switch it on. On other models, the switch is visible but disabled, with the reason shown. |
| **Composition Prompt** | The description of the video you want. Mention connected items by name with `@`. |

Under **Advanced Settings**, you set the canvas:

| Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Aspect Ratio** | `16:9` (the default), `9:16`, `1:1` or `4:5`. |
| **FPS** | **24 fps (Film)**, **30 fps (Standard)**, the default, or **60 fps (Smooth)**. |
| **Duration (seconds)** | The total length of the composition, from 1 to 300 seconds. The default is 30 seconds. |
| **Background Color** | The color of empty areas. The default is black, `#000000`. |

After a run, the settings panel shows a preview of the composition.

## Credits
Compose Video costs 10, 30 or 40 credits per run, for an economy, standard or premium model. The `xhigh` and `max` effort levels and **Advanced mode** bill one tier higher: an economy model bills the standard price, and a standard model bills the premium price. A premium model's price does not change with the effort level. The [Prompt](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/prompt) node page explains the tiers and the effort levels in detail. Rendering the plan with Render Video is priced separately.

## Tips
- **Name your media in the prompt.** Refer to connected items with `@` and their node name, so the model knows which item goes where.
- **Be specific about timing.** Explicit cues work best, for example `show image A for 5 seconds, then crossfade to video B`.
- **Match the length to the media.** A long composition with few items gives a sparse timeline. Keep **Duration (seconds)** in proportion to what you connect.
- **Choose the shape for the platform.** Use `16:9` for standard video, `9:16` for vertical mobile video and `1:1` for square social posts.
- **Keep the temperature low.** In **Advanced mode**, keep **Temperature** at about 0.5 or lower. Compose Video asks the model for structured output, and higher values start to break the format.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Compose Video output a finished video?

No. It outputs a composition plan. Connect its Composition output to a Render Video node and run that node to get the video file.

### Which AI model does Compose Video use?

The default is Claude Sonnet 4.6. You can choose another language model under AI Model in the settings panel. The price depends on the model's tier.

### How do I make the AI feature a specific image or clip?

Drag that item to the top of the Media Order list, and mention it by name in the Composition Prompt with @, for example @product-shot.

### How much does Compose Video cost?

10, 30 or 40 credits per run, for an economy, standard or premium model. The xhigh and max effort levels and Advanced mode bill one tier higher. Render Video is priced separately.

### What if the composition does not match what I wanted?

Refine the prompt with explicit timing, for example "show image A for 5 seconds, then crossfade to video B", and run the node again.