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Shotcut Video Editing CLI

Lets an agent create and edit Shotcut video projects from the command line, without the GUI.

Source Download skill
Repository
HKUDS/CLI-Anything
Stars
58,084
Licence
Apache-2.0
Files
1 file

What it does

Once installed, the agent can build and change Shotcut video projects by running a command-line tool instead of clicking through the editor. It can create projects, import media, place clips on timelines, trim and split them, add filters, transitions and audio ducking, and render the result to a video file. Changes are tracked with undo and redo, and output can be returned as JSON for the agent to read.

Great for

  • Creators who want an AI agent to assemble rough cuts or repetitive edits in Shotcut
  • Developers automating video production pipelines from scripts
  • Agent builders who need a scriptable video editing interface

Skip it if

  • Users who need a finished, polished edit without reviewing the result, since the agent cannot judge creative quality and may produce a poor cut
  • Anyone expecting it to work without Shotcut, MLT, melt and ffmpeg installed, because rendering and media probing depend on them
  • Sensitive footage on shared machines, since it reads and writes local media files and project files on the computer it runs on

Try asking

  • “Create a new 1080p project, import my interview clips, and place them on the timeline in order”
  • “Add a volume envelope that lowers the music track during the spoken sections”
  • “Trim the first three seconds off clip0 and render the project using the default export preset”
  • “Show me the timeline overview and list all active filters on track 1”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Shotcut Video Editing CLIInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 1 original files, the Apache-2.0 licence and an attribution note.

    skills.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip skills.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip skills.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Always import media first to get a clip_id, then use add-clip to place it on a track, as the skill's workflow requires.
  • Use the --json flag when the agent needs machine-readable output, and save project files often so undo history and recovery remain manageable.
  • Preview and check your render yourself in Shotcut before sharing, since the agent cannot verify the creative result.

What's inside

  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from HKUDS/CLI-Anything under the Apache-2.0 licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.