canva-video

name	canva-video
description	Create and edit video designs in Canva. Use this skill when user wants to work with videos, animations, or motion graphics. Handles video creation, editing, timeline management, and export. Follows 3-mode workflow for safe operations. For static images use canva-image-editor. For presentations use canva-presentation.
allowed-tools	["Bash","Read","Write","Edit","AskUserQuestion"]

Canva Video Skill

Create and edit video designs, animations, and motion graphics in Canva.

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⚠️ CRITICAL DESIGN PRESERVATION RULES (MANDATORY)

These rules are NON-NEGOTIABLE. Violating them will break the video design.

🚫 NEVER DO THESE THINGS:

1. NEVER add new elements to existing videos - Only modify EXISTING elements
2. NEVER change existing element timings - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
3. NEVER change font sizes/styles - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
4. NEVER change element positions - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
5. NEVER change animations - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
6. NEVER change backgrounds - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
7. NEVER modify audio levels - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
8. NEVER change video duration - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
9. NEVER remove existing elements - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
10. NEVER modify the template structure - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it

✅ ALWAYS DO THESE THINGS:

1. ALWAYS replace text within existing elements only
2. ALWAYS replace video clips in existing placeholders only
3. ALWAYS preserve all timing and animations when replacing content
4. ALWAYS analyze video structure first before any modification
5. ALWAYS identify content elements vs template elements before editing
6. ALWAYS duplicate the design first before making changes

Updating Content - THE CORRECT WAY:

# WRONG - Adds new text element
add_text.py --design "ID" --text "New text"

# CORRECT - Updates existing text element
update_text.py --design "ID" --element "EXISTING_ELEMENT_ID" --text "New text"

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Scope of This Skill

This skill handles:

• Video Posts (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube)
• Video Stories
• Video Ads
• Animated Presentations
• Motion Graphics
• Video Intros/Outros
• Animated Logos
• GIF Creation

Operations supported:

• Edit video elements (REPLACE existing, not ADD new)
• Create new video designs → Duplicate existing designs instead
• Add/remove video clips → Replace clips in existing placeholders
• Add text animations → Update text in existing animated elements
• Manage audio tracks (with explicit permission)
• Export to MP4 or GIF

Video Design Types

Type	Dimensions	Duration
Instagram Reel	1080x1920	Up to 90s
TikTok Video	1080x1920	Up to 3min
YouTube Short	1080x1920	Up to 60s
YouTube Video	1920x1080	Variable
Facebook Video	1280x720	Variable
Video Ad	Various	15-30s
Animated Post	1080x1080	5-15s
Animated Story	1080x1920	5-15s

3-Mode Workflow

MODE 1: PLAN

1. Analyze Video Structure

   python skills/canva-video/scripts/analyze_video.py \
     --id "DESIGN_ID"
   

2. Document Video Elements

   ## Video Analysis: "[Name]"
   
   ### Overview
   - Dimensions: 1080x1920
   - Duration: 15 seconds
   - Frame Rate: 30fps
   
   ### Timeline
   | Time | Element | Type | Duration |
   |------|---------|------|----------|
   | 0-3s | Intro | Animation | 3s |
   | 3-10s | Main Content | Video Clip | 7s |
   | 10-13s | Text Overlay | Animated Text | 3s |
   | 13-15s | CTA | Animation | 2s |
   
   ### Audio
   - Background Music: "Upbeat Track" (15s)
   - Voiceover: None
   
   ### Proposed Changes
   1. Extend duration to 20 seconds
   2. Add new text at 15-18s
   3. Replace background music
   

MODE 2: CLARIFY

Video-specific questions:

1. Timing

   • "At what timestamp should this appear?"
   • "How long should it stay on screen?"

2. Animation

   • "What animation style? (fade, slide, bounce)"
   • "Should text animate in word-by-word or all at once?"

3. Audio

   • "Keep current background music?"
   • "Should audio fade out at the end?"

4. Export

   • "What quality/resolution for export?"
   • "Include audio in export?"

MODE 3: IMPLEMENT

# Add text element with animation
python skills/canva-video/scripts/add_text.py \
  --design "DESIGN_ID" \
  --text "Your Message Here" \
  --start 5.0 \
  --duration 3.0 \
  --animation "fade-in"

# Add video clip
python skills/canva-video/scripts/add_clip.py \
  --design "DESIGN_ID" \
  --clip "path/to/video.mp4" \
  --start 0.0 \
  --trim-start 2.0 \
  --trim-end 10.0

# Update timing
python skills/canva-video/scripts/update_timing.py \
  --design "DESIGN_ID" \
  --element "ELEMENT_ID" \
  --start 3.0 \
  --duration 5.0

# Change video duration
python skills/canva-video/scripts/set_duration.py \
  --design "DESIGN_ID" \
  --duration 20.0

# Add background music
python skills/canva-video/scripts/add_audio.py \
  --design "DESIGN_ID" \
  --audio "path/to/music.mp3" \
  --volume 0.5 \
  --loop true

Available Scripts

Analysis Scripts

• analyze_video.py - Full video breakdown
• get_timeline.py - Timeline elements and timing
• extract_frames.py - Get keyframes as images
• get_audio_info.py - Audio track details

Edit Scripts

• add_text.py - Add animated text
• add_clip.py - Insert video clip
• add_image.py - Add static or animated image
• add_audio.py - Add music/voiceover
• update_timing.py - Change element timing
• update_animation.py - Change animation style
• set_duration.py - Change total duration
• remove_element.py - Delete element from timeline

Creation Scripts

• create_video.py - New blank video
• create_from_template.py - From Canva template

Animation Types

Text animations:

• fade-in / fade-out
• slide-up / slide-down / slide-left / slide-right
• zoom-in / zoom-out
• bounce
• typewriter
• wipe
• pop

Element animations:

• pan - Move across screen
• ken-burns - Slow zoom on images
• rotate
• scale
• baseline - None (static)

Audio Handling

# Add background music
python skills/canva-video/scripts/add_audio.py \
  --design "DESIGN_ID" \
  --audio "music.mp3" \
  --type "background" \
  --volume 0.3

# Add voiceover
python skills/canva-video/scripts/add_audio.py \
  --design "DESIGN_ID" \
  --audio "voiceover.mp3" \
  --type "voiceover" \
  --start 2.0

# Adjust audio timing
python skills/canva-video/scripts/update_audio.py \
  --design "DESIGN_ID" \
  --audio-id "AUDIO_ID" \
  --fade-in 1.0 \
  --fade-out 2.0

Video Export

Use canva-export skill with these options:

• MP4 - Standard video format
• GIF - Animated GIF (no audio)
• WebM - Web-optimized video

Quality options:

• 720p - 1280x720, smaller file
• 1080p - 1920x1080, standard
• 4K - 3840x2160, highest quality

Timeline Best Practices

1. Leave breathing room - Don't cram too many elements
2. Text timing - 2-3 seconds minimum for readability
3. Transitions - Use sparingly, keep consistent
4. Audio levels - Music lower than voiceover
5. CTA timing - Save call-to-action for end

Safety Guidelines

1. Preview before export - Check timing looks right
2. Backup audio - Keep original audio files
3. Version control - Duplicate before major changes
4. File sizes - Be aware of upload limits

Example Interactions

"Add text that says 'Shop Now' at the end"

[PLAN]
- Video is 15 seconds
- Add "Shop Now" at 12-15s
- Recommend animation style

[CLARIFY]
- "Add at 12s, display for 3s until end?"
- "Animation style: 'pop' or 'slide-up'?"
- "Font and color preferences?"

[IMPLEMENT]
- Add text element
- Apply animation
- Verify timing

"Replace the background music"

[PLAN]
- Current music: "Upbeat.mp3" (15s)
- Need new music file

[CLARIFY]
- "What music file should I use?"
- "Same volume level?"
- "Fade in/out at ends?"

[IMPLEMENT]
- Remove current audio
- Add new audio track
- Apply fades if requested

Output Files

• output/videos/ - Exported videos
• output/frames/ - Extracted keyframes
• output/audio/ - Extracted audio
• output/logs/video_edits.json - Edit history