camsnap

Capture frames and video clips from RTSP and ONVIF cameras.

Updated Feb 16, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/RobbyMo81/assistantrobby --skill camsnap-robbymo81
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: camsnap
Source: https://github.com/RobbyMo81/assistantrobby/tree/main/skills/camsnap
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/RobbyMo81/assistantrobby --skill camsnap-robbymo81

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Network and IP cameras often require manual commands and complex tooling to capture snapshots, short clips, or motion-triggered recordings, making routine monitoring and archival cumbersome for users and home automation setups.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Snapshot & Clip Capture: Grab single-frame snapshots or short video clips from RTSP/ONVIF cameras for evidence, thumbnails, or quick previews.
  • Motion Events & Watch Mode: Trigger actions or recordings based on motion thresholds for simple local monitoring workflows.
  • Device Discovery & Diagnostics: Discover cameras on the network and run doctor/probe checks to validate streams and dependencies (ffmpeg).
  • Use Case: Periodically capture a kitchen camera snapshot and save it to disk, or record a 5-second clip when motion is detected to a local archive.

Quick Start

Capture a 5-second clip from the camera named kitchen and save it locally as clip.mp4 using camsnap.

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?

Capture RTSP camera snapshots by running the command-line tool against configured endpoints, saving single frames locally for monitoring or archival. Requires ffmpeg on PATH and camera credentials stored in a YAML config file.

Can I record short video clips from ONVIF cameras locally?

Record short video clips from ONVIF cameras by specifying the device name and duration, saving files like MP4 locally. This handles LAN and IP camera scenarios for quick previews or evidence archives.

Does motion detection work with RTSP streams for automatic recording?

Motion detection triggers automatic recordings from RTSP streams based on configured motion thresholds. This enables simple local monitoring workflows like capturing short clips automatically when movement is detected.

Do I need ffmpeg installed to capture IP camera snapshots?

Yes, ffmpeg must be installed on PATH to capture IP camera snapshots and run stream diagnostics. The command-line camera tool depends on it to validate streams, probe devices, and process frame captures or video clips.

How do I discover and diagnose IP cameras on my local network?

Discover IP cameras on your local network and run doctor or probe checks to validate streams and dependencies. This diagnostic process verifies that RTSP and ONVIF endpoints are correctly configured and reachable.

What is the best way to automate periodic camera snapshots for home automation?

Automate periodic camera snapshots for home automation by running the command-line tool against named devices, saving frames to disk. This simplifies routine monitoring and archival without complex manual commands.