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thejordanleopold
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buttercut

Transcribe audio, analyze frames, and export a Final Cut Pro XML rough cut.

4|Updated Apr 9, 2026
Search Tags:#yaml#transcription#ffmpeg#visual-analysis#video-editing#buttercut#fcpxml
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/thejordanleopold/claude-code-skills-distilled --skill buttercut
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: buttercut
Source: https://github.com/thejordanleopold/claude-code-skills-distilled/tree/main/buttercut
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/thejordanleopold/claude-code-skills-distilled --skill buttercut

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Automates end-to-end video editing by turning raw footage into editable rough cuts through transcription, frame analysis, and YAML-based cut assembly.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Phase 1 Transcribe Audio: uses WhisperX to generate transcripts while preserving timing for accurate alignment.
  • Phase 2 Analyze Frames: uses FFmpeg to extract representative frames and produce visual_transcript.json with descriptive metadata.
  • Phase 3 Rough Cut: aggregates transcripts, selects takes, and exports roughcut.yaml plus Final Cut Pro XML for direct editing.
  • Use Case: Create a cohesive rough cut from a multi-shot video library for a quick editorial pass.

Quick Start

Run the buttercut workflow on your project folder to transcribe audio, analyze frames, and export a Final Cut Pro XML rough cut.

Frequently Asked Questions about buttercut

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I automate video editing to create a rough cut from raw footage?▼

Automating video editing to create a rough cut involves transcribing audio with WhisperX, analyzing frames with FFmpeg, and exporting a Final Cut Pro XML file for direct editing.

What is the best way to generate a Final Cut Pro XML rough cut automatically?▼

Generating a Final Cut Pro XML rough cut automatically requires a workflow that aggregates audio transcripts and extracts representative frames. It then selects takes and exports both a roughcut.yaml and an FCPXML file for direct timeline editing.

Do I need WhisperX and FFmpeg to automate transcription and frame analysis for video editing?▼

Yes, you need WhisperX and FFmpeg to automate transcription and frame analysis for video editing. WhisperX generates timing-accurate transcripts, while FFmpeg extracts representative frames to produce descriptive visual metadata for the cut.

How does visual frame analysis work when preparing a video rough cut?▼

Visual frame analysis for a rough cut works by using FFmpeg to extract representative frames from the raw footage. These frames are processed to produce a visual_transcript.json file containing descriptive metadata for editorial decisions.

Can I use YAML to assemble and coordinate my video editing rough cut workflow?▼

Yes, you can use YAML to assemble a video editing rough cut workflow. The process exports a roughcut.yaml file that aggregates transcripts and take selections, coordinating the assembly before generating the final Final Cut Pro XML.

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