ffmpeg

Convert and compress audio/video with ffmpeg and ffprobe inspection.

Updated Feb 28, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/cosmicdreams/claude-plugins --skill ffmpeg-cosmicdreams
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: ffmpeg
Source: https://github.com/cosmicdreams/claude-plugins/tree/main/lib/skills/ffmpeg
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/cosmicdreams/claude-plugins --skill ffmpeg-cosmicdreams

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires ffmpeg, ffprobe, jq, wc.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill solves the problem of reducing file size and extracting usable audio/video from media files without guessing codecs, bitrates, or durations.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Media inspection: Uses ffprobe to report codec, bitrate, duration, stream details, and overall size before any conversion so you can choose the right output settings.
  • Audio conversion & compression: Converts between common formats (MP3, AAC, Opus) and provides practical bitrate guidance for voice, music, and compatibility.
  • Video conversion, resizing, and AVIF workflows: Produces smaller H.264/H.265/WebM outputs, rescales to target resolutions, and generates static or animated AVIF (including GIF replacement).
  • Trimming, clipping, and audio extraction: Extracts clips losslessly or re-encodes when compression is desired, and pulls audio from video.
  • Frame and scene extraction: Extracts frames at intervals, keyframes, and scene changes for thumbnails, review, or editing pipelines.

Quick Start

Run ffmpeg to inspect your input file, choose the appropriate conversion command (for example, Opus for small audio), and produce a smaller output while keeping quality aligned with your target use case.

Frequently Asked Questions about ffmpeg

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I reduce video file size for web delivery without guessing codecs or bitrates?

To reduce video file size, you can use ffprobe to inspect stream details and bitrates first, then apply an ffmpeg command to re-encode to smaller H.264, H.265, or WebM outputs while reporting before and after file sizes.

What is the best way to extract audio tracks from a video file?

Extracting audio tracks involves using ffmpeg commands to pull audio directly from your video file, allowing you to convert or compress it into common formats like MP3, AAC, or Opus based on your compatibility needs.

Can I convert a GIF to an animated AVIF file using ffmpeg?

Yes, you can convert GIFs to animated AVIF files using ffmpeg, which produces smaller static or animated AVIF outputs suitable for replacing heavier GIF formats in web delivery workflows.

How do I extract keyframes or scenes from a video for thumbnails?

Extracting keyframes and scene changes is done using ffmpeg commands to pull frames at specified intervals or at scene shifts, providing static images for thumbnails, review, or editing pipelines.

Does ffprobe report media duration and stream details before format conversion?

Yes, ffprobe performs structured pre-flight analysis to report codec, bitrate, duration, and stream details before any format conversion, ensuring you choose the appropriate output settings for compatibility.

How do I trim a video clip losslessly without re-encoding the entire file?

Trimming a video clip losslessly is achieved by using ffmpeg commands to copy streams directly without re-encoding, allowing you to extract specific segments quickly while avoiding generation loss.