video-resolve

name	video-resolve
description	Build edited YouTube videos in DaVinci Resolve using its Python scripting API.

Video Resolve Skill

Build edited YouTube videos in DaVinci Resolve using its Python scripting API directly. No wrapper scripts — write inline Python that calls the API via Bash.

Prerequisites

• DaVinci Resolve Studio must be running
• Python 3.6+ with access to Resolve's scripting module

API Documentation

All API reference material is in references/:

• resolve_scripting_api.txt — Official Blackmagic API reference (complete)
• api_practical_notes.md — Tested patterns, gotchas, and working examples

Always read api_practical_notes.md before writing Resolve API calls. It documents critical gotchas like the recordFrame offset and mediaType semantics.

How to Use

Write inline Python scripts via Bash that call the Resolve API directly. Connection boilerplate:

import sys
sys.path.insert(0, "/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules")
import DaVinciResolveScript as dvr

resolve = dvr.scriptapp("Resolve")
pm = resolve.GetProjectManager()
resolve.OpenPage("edit")

Test Script

scripts/test_api.py — Verifies each API operation individually. Run to confirm the API is working.

Building a Project

When building a project from EDL + overlay + chapter data, write the API calls inline. The key operations:

1. Create project — pm.CreateProject(name), set resolution/fps, import source media
2. Build timeline — media_pool.CreateEmptyTimeline(name), then AppendToTimeline for each kept segment. Omit mediaType for video+audio.
3. Get timeline start frame — t1_items[0].GetStart() (typically 108000 for 01:00:00:00 at 30fps)
4. Add overlay track — timeline.AddTrack("video")
5. Place overlays — AppendToTimeline with trackIndex, recordFrame (must include start offset!), mediaType: 1
6. Set overlay transforms — item.SetProperty("ZoomX"/"ZoomY"/"Pan"/"Tilt", value) per overlay
7. Add markers — timeline.AddMarker(frame, color, name, note, duration)

Each of these is a few lines of Python. No wrapper needed.

File Structure

scripts/
    test_api.py                          # API test suite
references/
    resolve_scripting_api.txt            # Official Blackmagic API docs
    api_practical_notes.md               # Tested patterns and gotchas