Every project opens in the same editor. The tools are on the left, the preview and timeline in the middle, and the chat on the right. Everything you change, by hand or through chat, happens on the same timeline.

## Header

- **Project name**: click the pencil beside it to rename the project. While Novacut is making the first cut, it names the project for you.
- **My Projects** returns to your project list.
- **Feedback** sends us a note about what you're seeing.
- **Help** opens these docs.
- The **language menu** switches the app language. Novacut also replies in chat in that language.
- **New Project** starts another edit.
- Your **account menu** (your initial) has Account Management, Usage, Billing History, Subscription Management and Logout.

## Tool rail and panels

Click a tool on the left to open its panel beside the rail. Click the **×** at the top of the panel to close it and give the preview more room.

| Tool | What it's for |
| --- | --- |
| **Media** | Upload footage, search your shots and drag clips onto the timeline. [More](/help/how-to-upload-and-manage-footage) |
| **Captions** | Turn captions on, pick a style and edit the words. [More](/help/how-to-add-captions) |
| **Filters** | Apply a look to the whole edit or one clip. [More](/help/how-to-apply-color-filter) |
| **Transitions** | Add dissolves, wipes and other transitions between clips. [More](/help/how-to-add-transitions) |
| **Effects** | Add effects such as shake, zoom pulse, flash, glitch, film grain and glow. [More](/help/how-to-add-video-effects) |
| **Color** | Adjust exposure, contrast, temperature and color wheels, or match clips to each other. [More](/help/how-to-adjust-color-and-match-clips) |
| **Music** | Choose background music or generate a track. [More](/help/how-to-add-or-remove-background-music) |
| **Aspect Ratio** | Switch between widescreen, vertical and square. [More](/help/how-to-change-aspect-ratio) |
| **Export** | Render an MP4 or download a project file for another editor. [More](/help/how-to-render-and-download-mp4) |
| **Advanced Project Settings** | Delete the project. [More](/help/manage-projects) |

## Preview

- Click play, or press **Space** with the timeline selected.
- The arrows beside play jump to the previous or next clip.
- The **1×** button changes the playback speed. It doesn't change the speed of your video.
- The square on the right plays the preview full screen.
- Drag the dotted handle under the preview to make the preview bigger or the timeline taller.

## Timeline

The timeline shows every lane of the edit, top to bottom: captions, graphics, effects, filters, video and audio. Above it you'll find:

- **Undo** and **Redo**
- **Cut at playhead**, which splits the clip under the red playhead
- **Overall volume** for the whole edit
- The **zoom** slider

Each lane has its own controls on the left: the eye hides it, the speaker sets its volume and the pencil renames it. See [Timeline basics and keyboard shortcuts](/help/timeline-keyboard-shortcuts).

## Chat

The chat on the right is where you ask Novacut for changes. Type in the box at the bottom and press Enter.

- While Novacut works, the timeline is locked and shows **Novacut is working on your timeline**. Click **Cancel** to stop the request.
- The reply says what changed. If you don't like it, one **Undo** reverts the whole reply.
- **New Chat** starts a fresh conversation and leaves your timeline as it is.
- Drag the dotted handle on the chat's left edge to make the chat wider or narrower.

See [How to revise an edit with chat](/help/how-to-revise-edit-with-chat).