# Video Frames

> Extract frames and short clips from local video files with ffmpeg. Use when you need quick visual checkpoints without opening a full editor.

- Skill: `grtninja/video-frames` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 4 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add grtninja/video-frames`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/grtninja/video-frames/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: grtninja (https://skillmd.com/u/grtninja)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/grtninja/video-frames

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# Video Frames

Use this skill to pull exact frames or short clips from a local video.

## Workflow

1. Confirm `ffmpeg` is installed and the input file exists.
2. Extract one frame by timestamp or by frame index.
3. Optionally export a short clip for review context.
4. Keep outputs in a deterministic artifact folder for repeatable checks.

## Frame Extraction

```bash
python3 "$CODEX_HOME/skills/video-frames/scripts/video_frames.py" frame \
  --input /path/to/video.mp4 \
  --time 00:00:12 \
  --out /tmp/frame-12s.jpg
```

By frame index:

```bash
python3 "$CODEX_HOME/skills/video-frames/scripts/video_frames.py" frame \
  --input /path/to/video.mp4 \
  --index 0 \
  --out /tmp/frame-0.png
```

## Short Clip Export

```bash
python3 "$CODEX_HOME/skills/video-frames/scripts/video_frames.py" clip \
  --input /path/to/video.mp4 \
  --start 00:00:10 \
  --duration 5 \
  --out /tmp/clip-10s-15s.mp4
```

## Guardrails

- Local files only; do not fetch remote media in this lane.
- Keep extraction deterministic (`--time` or `--index` must be explicit in reviews).
- Preserve source files; write only to target output paths.

## Scope Boundary

Use this skill only for frame/clip extraction and lightweight visual inspection.

Do not use this skill as a replacement for full timeline editing or compositing.

## References

- `references/ffmpeg-quick-reference.md`