Documentation

Everything you need to get Captain Cut running in Premiere Pro.

Installation

Captain Cut is a Premiere Pro extension installed via the free ZXP Installer. 5 steps, no Terminal commands needed.

System Requirements

  • Adobe Premiere Pro 2024 or later (v24.0+)
  • macOS 12+ or Windows 10+
  • FFmpeg installed (for silence detection)
  • Internet connection for license activation
1

Download the free ZXP Installer

This is the standard tool used to install Adobe extensions. Free, takes 30 seconds.

Download ZXP Installer →

Mac: Open the .dmg, drag to Applications. Windows: Run the .exe installer.

Mac tip: If macOS blocks it → System Settings → Privacy & Security → "Open Anyway".

2

Download Captain Cut

Download the plugin from your Dashboard or from the email you received after purchase.

Download Captain Cut v1.7.57
3

Install the plugin

Open ZXP/UXP Installer, then drag the CaptainCut-v1.7.57.zxp file into the window. You'll see "Installation Complete" — that's it.

4

Open Premiere Pro

Close Premiere Pro if it's open, then reopen it. Go to: Window > Extensions > Captain Cut

5

Activate your license

Enter your license key (from the purchase email, format: POLAR-xxxxxxxx) and click Activate License. Done — start editing!

Getting Started

Once installed, removing silence takes seconds.

1. Open a sequence

Double-click a sequence in your Project panel to open it in the timeline. Captain Cut automatically detects it.

2. Choose a preset

Pick a content type: YouTube, Podcast, Tutorial, or Interview. Each preset adjusts sensitivity and threshold for optimal results.

3. Analyze

Click Analyze & Cut. Analysis takes ~5-10 seconds for most clips (uses FFmpeg locally — your footage never leaves your machine).

4. Apply

Choose your export mode:

  • Mark & Keep — Colors silence segments on the timeline. Nothing is deleted.
  • Cut & Remove — Creates a new sequence with silence removed + smart zoom applied.

5. Smart Auto Zoom

When enabled, Captain Cut automatically adds zoom variations to your clips — simulating a multi-camera setup. Toggle it on/off and adjust intensity before applying. Zoom is applied via keyframes directly in Premiere Pro.

Settings

Customize Captain Cut's behavior to match your editing workflow.

SettingDefaultDescription
Content TypeYouTubePreset that sets optimal threshold & duration for your content type
SensitivityMediumHow aggressively to detect silence (Keep more ↔ Cut more)
Smart Auto ZoomOnAdds zoom variations at cut points to hide jump cuts
Zoom Intensity50Subtle (105%) ↔ Cinematic (115%) zoom amount
Anchor BiasFaceZoom centers on face (talking head) or frame center

FAQ

Does my footage leave my computer?

No. All analysis happens locally on your machine using FFmpeg. Your video files are never uploaded anywhere.

How fast is the analysis?

A 1-minute clip analyzes in about 5-10 seconds. A 10-minute clip takes about 30-60 seconds. Analysis speed depends on your CPU.

Can I undo the cuts?

Yes. Captain Cut creates a new sequence — your original sequence is never modified. Just delete the new sequence if you don't like it.

How many machines can I activate?

Creator: 1 machine. Pro: 2 machines. Team: 5 machines. Deactivate from your dashboard to free up a slot.

What does Smart Auto Zoom do?

It adds subtle scale variations to your clips after cutting — simulating a two-camera setup. Some clips stay at 100%, others get a slight zoom (~110%). This hides jump cuts and makes the edit feel more professional.

Can I use it with DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut Pro?

Captain Cut is currently Premiere Pro only. Other NLEs are on the roadmap.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Go to your Dashboard → Manage Subscription. You can cancel or change plans anytime during your 7-day free trial to avoid being charged.

Need more help?

Reach out to our support team and we'll get you sorted.

Contact Support