Table of Contents
GIF Generation Skill
Post-process video files (webm/mp4) and generate optimized GIF output with configurable quality settings.
When To Use
- Converting recordings to animated GIF format
- Creating lightweight demo animations
When NOT To Use
- High-quality video output - use full recording tools
- Static image generation without animation needs
Overview
This skill handles the conversion of video recordings (typically from browser automation) to GIF format. It provides multiple quality presets and optimization options to balance file size with visual quality.
Required TodoWrite Items
- Validate input video file exists
- Check ffmpeg installation
- Execute GIF conversion
- Verify output and report results
Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.
Process
Step 1: Validate Input File
Confirm the source video file exists and is a supported format:
if [[ -f "$INPUT_FILE" ]]; then
file "$INPUT_FILE"
ffprobe -v quiet -show_format -show_streams "$INPUT_FILE" 2>/dev/null | head -20
else
echo "Error: Input file not found: $INPUT_FILE"
exit 1
fi
Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.
Supported input formats: .webm, .mp4, .mov, .avi
Step 2: Check ffmpeg Installation
Verify ffmpeg is available:
if ! command -v ffmpeg &> /dev/null; then
echo "Error: ffmpeg is not installed"
echo "Install with: sudo apt install ffmpeg (Linux) or brew install ffmpeg (macOS)"
exit 1
fi
ffmpeg -version | head -1
Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.
Step 3: Execute Conversion
Choose the appropriate conversion command based on quality requirements:
Basic Conversion (Fast, Larger File)
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=10,scale=800:-1" output.gif
Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.
High Quality with Palette Generation (Recommended)
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=10,scale=800:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen[p];[s1][p]paletteuse" output.gif
Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.
Maximum Quality with Dithering
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=15,scale=1024:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen=max_colors=256:stats_mode=single[p];[s1][p]paletteuse=dither=bayer:bayer_scale=5" output.gif
Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.
Optimization Options
| Option | Description | Recommended Value |
|---|
fps | Frames per second | 10-15 for smooth, 5-8 for smaller files |
scale | Width in pixels (-1 maintains aspect ratio) | 800 for web, 480 for thumbnails |
flags=lanczos | High-quality scaling algorithm | Always use for best quality |
palettegen | Generate optimized color palette | Use for quality-critical output |
dither | Dithering algorithm | bayer for patterns, floyd_steinberg for smooth |
Common Presets
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=8,scale=480:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen[p];[s1][p]paletteuse" thumbnail.gif
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=10,scale=800:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen[p];[s1][p]paletteuse" docs.gif
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=15,scale=1024:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen=max_colors=256[p];[s1][p]paletteuse" demo.gif
Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.
Step 4: Verify Output
Confirm successful conversion and report metrics:
if [[ -f "$OUTPUT_FILE" ]]; then
echo "GIF generated successfully: $OUTPUT_FILE"
SIZE=$(du -h "$OUTPUT_FILE" | cut -f1)
echo "File size: $SIZE"
ffprobe -v quiet -select_streams v:0 -show_entries stream=width,height,nb_frames -of csv=p=0 "$OUTPUT_FILE"
else
echo "Error: GIF generation failed"
exit 1
fi
Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.
Exit Criteria
Troubleshooting
Large Output File
Reduce quality settings:
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=8,scale=640:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen[p];[s1][p]paletteuse" smaller.gif
Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.
Color Banding
Use dithering:
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=10,scale=800:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen[p];[s1][p]paletteuse=dither=floyd_steinberg" smooth.gif
Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.
Slow Conversion
Use basic conversion without palette generation for speed:
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=10,scale=800:-1" quick.gif
Verification: Run the command with --help flag to verify availability.
