Instagram’s First Draft feature automates Reels editing into a 10-second rough cut

The feature, announced Tuesday in a Threads post, is initially available on iPhone. Creators can access it directly from Instagram’s camera while recording or from the Reels gallery after selecting multiple clips.

First Draft scans the chosen footage, cuts away dead time, and stitches together the strongest moments into a first pass. Users can then refine the result manually, allowing them to start from a ready-made draft rather than reviewing every clip from scratch.

Automated editing tools are not new; Adobe Firefly’s Quick Cuts and CapCut’s Auto Cut offer similar functions. However, integrating the capability natively into Instagram gives creators less reason to move their footage to a separate editor.

The launch is part of a broader push to streamline content creation on the platform. Earlier this year, Instagram introduced a Replace Audio tool that lets users swap music on existing feed posts and carousels without deleting and re-uploading them.

Instagram says the automated first pass can be generated in under 10 seconds, potentially saving creators significant editing time and lowering the barrier for those unfamiliar with traditional editing software.