| name | video-builder |
| description | Create short narrated videos from text scripts, simple timelines, or still images using Python and ffmpeg, with optional edge-tts voiceover. Use when the user asks for an MP4 render, narration generation, or a simple explainer video build. |
Video Builder
Metadata
- Trigger when: the task is to render a short narrated or slide-like video from script or still assets.
- Do not use when: the user only wants storyboarding or copywriting with no actual render pipeline involved.
Skill Purpose
Stay as the entrypoint for video work, then route into the narrowest lane: build a clean render spec or run the renderer from an existing spec.
Instructions
- Classify the request first. If the user needs help turning script/assets into a minimal JSON spec, prefer
$video-spec-builder. If the user already has a spec and needs an actual render, prefer $video-render-run.
- If a child lane is unavailable in the current run, continue here with the same split: first define the smallest honest spec, then render it 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 render with
ffprobe or an equivalent playback check. Confirm duration, pacing, narration alignment, font availability, and whether the output needs one targeted iteration or is ready to ship.
Non-Negotiable Acceptance Criteria
ffmpeg and ffprobe must be available, or the missing dependency is stated clearly.- The first render starts from a minimal spec instead of a giant kitchen-sink configuration.
- Voice mode, narration timing, and output size are explicit.
- If fonts or narration assets are missing, the skill says so instead of silently substituting broken defaults.
Output
- The spec path and rendered video path.
- The narration mode used: edge-tts or existing audio.
- A short validation note on duration, pacing, and any needed follow-up tweak.
Next skill options (only if needed): $video-spec-builder — turn script/assets into a minimal render spec; $video-render-run — render and validate an MP4 from an existing spec.
