How to Generate YouTube Video Scripts with the Claude API

A blank document is the slowest part of making a video. This guide calls Claude through the Anthropic Messages API to draft a structured script (hook, body beats, call to action) from a single topic line, so you start editing instead of staring.

What you need

• An Anthropic API key from console.anthropic.com
• Python 3.9+ or Node 18+ (this guide shows Python)
• A topic and a target length in mind

Step 1: Install the SDK and set your key

Install the official SDK and export your key as an environment variable so it never lives in the code.

Step 2: Write a prompt that enforces structure

A system prompt that names the sections you want produces a script you can shoot from. Ask for a hook in the first two lines, three to five body beats, and a closing call to action.

import os
from anthropic import Anthropic

client = Anthropic(api_key=os.environ["ANTHROPIC_API_KEY"])

SYSTEM = (
    "You write tight YouTube scripts. Output sections in order: "
    "HOOK (2 lines), BODY (3 to 5 beats, each a short paragraph), "
    "CTA (1 line). Plain spoken language, no stage directions."
)

def write_script(topic, minutes):
    msg = client.messages.create(
        model="claude-opus-4-5",
        max_tokens=1500,
        system=SYSTEM,
        messages=[{
            "role": "user",
            "content": f"Topic: {topic}. Target length: {minutes} minutes.",
        }],
    )
    return msg.content[0].text

if __name__ == "__main__":
    print(write_script("How tipping works in the US", 6))

Step 3: Run it

Result

You get a labeled HOOK, BODY, and CTA in seconds. Loop over a topics.txt file to draft a week of scripts in one run, then edit each into your own words.