camsnap

Capture frames and short clips from RTSP and ONVIF camera streams.

Updated Aug 23, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/chiragborse1/Kove --skill camsnap-chiragborse1
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: camsnap
Source: https://github.com/chiragborse1/Kove/tree/main/skills/camsnap
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/chiragborse1/Kove --skill camsnap-chiragborse1

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Capture still images, short video clips, and motion events from RTSP/ONVIF network cameras without manually composing ffmpeg commands or juggling disparate discovery tools.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Snapshot Capture: Grab single-frame images from a configured camera for quick evidence or status checks.
  • Short Clip Recording: Record short-duration clips (for example, 5s) for incident review or debugging.
  • Discovery & Motion Watch: Discover cameras on the network and trigger actions on motion events for lightweight monitoring workflows.
  • Use Case: Monitor a kitchen camera, automatically take a snapshot on motion and save a 5-second clip for later review.

Quick Start

Use camsnap to take a 5-second clip from the camera named kitchen and save it as clip.mp4.

Frequently Asked Questions about camsnap

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I capture a snapshot from an RTSP camera without writing complex ffmpeg commands?

You can capture a snapshot from an RTSP camera by using a streamlined tool that internally handles ffmpeg commands. This grabs single-frame images from configured network IP cameras for quick status checks without manual command composition.

Can I record short video clips from ONVIF cameras for incident review?

Yes, you can record short video clips from ONVIF cameras for incident review. By specifying a duration, such as 5 seconds, the tool captures and saves short recordings from network streams to a file like clip.mp4 for later debugging.

How do I discover ONVIF cameras on my local network for surveillance monitoring?

To discover ONVIF cameras on your local network, use the built-in discovery feature. This identifies available surveillance streams on the network, enabling lightweight monitoring workflows and easy configuration of camera connections.

Do I need ffmpeg installed to capture motion-triggered clips from IP cameras?

Yes, you need ffmpeg on your system PATH to capture motion-triggered clips from IP cameras. The tool relies on the ffmpeg binary alongside a configured config.yaml file containing your camera credentials to process streams.

What is the best way to monitor a camera and automatically save a clip when motion is detected?

The best way to monitor a camera and automatically save a clip when motion is detected is using a motion watch feature. This triggers actions on motion events, automatically taking a snapshot and recording a short clip for later review.

Does capturing RTSP snapshots require configuring credentials in a specific file?

Yes, capturing RTSP snapshots requires configuring camera credentials in a specific file. You must define your camera connections and authentication details in the config.yaml file located at ~/.config/camsnap/config.yaml before capturing.