How it works
- Tell Claude “Connect my Instagram.” A browser window opens on Instagram’s sign-in page and you sign in yourself. Each account keeps its own sign-in.
- Ask for versions in plain words, for example “Make 3 versions of clip.mp4 with different hooks.” Each version changes one thing and comes with a strip of frames, so you can compare them at a glance.
- Say “Post them as trial reels on @myaccount.” You see every version with its caption and time, and nothing goes out until you say yes.
- Trialpilot posts one version every 30 minutes as a trial reel, shown to people who don’t follow you yet, so you see which version works before your followers see any of them.
What it does
- Versions. Up to 5 versions of one video, each changing one thing: a hook line over the first seconds, a different opening, speed, zoom, colour and grain, mirroring, or music you have the rights to.
- Ready for Instagram. Every file is checked to be one Instagram accepts. HDR videos, which most iPhones record, come out in normal colour.
- Trial reels. Each version goes out through instagram.com’s own New post window, with its caption read back before Share and sharing to Facebook and Threads turned off.
- Steady pace. One reel every 30 minutes by default, so a full set of 5 versions goes out in about two hours.
- Test runs. A test run goes through every step, Share included, and posts nothing.
- Status at a glance. See where each trial reel stands, with links, and cancel any that haven’t gone out yet.
- Accounts. Connect as many as you like. You sign in yourself, and Trialpilot never sees your password.
Safety built in
- Nothing is posted without your approval of the exact versions, captions and times.
- Every publish request is checked on its way out, and Trialpilot stops it if it doesn’t carry the trial setting.
- After each reel, Trialpilot checks it went out as a trial reel and stays off your profile grid. If anything looks off, it stops trial posting on that account and lets you know.
What you need
Claude Desktop on a Mac or a Windows PC, Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, and Node.js 20 or newer to build it. With neither browser, Trialpilot can download Chromium once when you ask it to. Making versions uses FFmpeg, and if your computer doesn’t have it, Trialpilot downloads it once after you say yes.
FAQ
Is it free?
Yes. Trialpilot is free and open source (MIT), and it runs on your computer.
What is a trial reel?
A reel Instagram shows to people who don’t follow you yet. It stays off your profile grid, so you can try versions of a video before your followers see any of them.
Do I need an Instagram API key?
No. Trialpilot works through instagram.com in a browser window, with one saved sign-in per account, so there’s no API key to set up.
Does Trialpilot see my password?
No. You sign in yourself in the window it opens.
Where does my data live?
In one folder on your computer, ~/Trialpilot unless you pick another. It holds your sign-ins, videos, versions and Trialpilot’s records.
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