| name | video-render-run |
| description | Render and validate an MP4 from an existing `video-builder` spec JSON using the bundled Python pipeline. Use when a spec already exists and the job is actual rendering, not story or spec design. |
Video Render Run
Metadata
- Trigger when: a video spec JSON already exists and the task is to render and verify output.
- Do not use when: the user still needs help designing the spec or choosing the input mode.
Skill Purpose
Take an existing spec, run the renderer deterministically, and validate the resulting MP4 instead of mixing render execution with preproduction planning.
Instructions
- Verify the spec path, required assets, fonts, and
ffmpeg plus ffprobe availability before running the pipeline.
- Render with
/Users/nick/.codex/skills/video-builder/scripts/render_video.py using python3 /Users/nick/.codex/skills/video-builder/scripts/render_video.py --spec /absolute/path/to/spec.json --out /absolute/path/to/out.mp4.
- Validate the MP4 with
ffprobe or equivalent playback checks. Confirm duration, pacing, narration alignment, and whether the render is ready or needs one targeted fix.
Non-Negotiable Acceptance Criteria
- A real spec path exists before rendering starts.
- Missing dependencies, fonts, or assets are reported directly.
- Validation covers output existence plus playback sanity, not just command success.
- The skill does not silently rewrite the spec unless the task explicitly asked for repair.
Output
- The spec path and rendered MP4 path.
- A short validation note on duration, pacing, narration alignment, and any blocker.
Next skill options (only if needed): $video-spec-builder — repair or rebuild the spec when the current spec is incomplete or wrong.
