# Vhs Recording

> Generate terminal recordings using VHS (Charmbracelet) tape files. Executes tape files to produce GIF outputs of terminal sessions. Triggers: terminal recording, vhs tape, terminal demo, cli demo Use when: creating terminal recordings for tutorials and documentation

- Skill: `majiayu000/vhs-recording-3` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add majiayu000/vhs-recording-3`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/vhs-recording-3/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Docs & Writing
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/vhs-recording-3

---


# VHS Recording Skill

Generate professional terminal recordings from VHS tape files.

## Overview

VHS (Video Hosting Service) by Charmbracelet converts declarative tape files into animated GIFs of terminal sessions. Tape files define commands, timing, and terminal appearance.

## Required TodoWrite Items

```
- Locate and validate tape file
- Check VHS installation status
- Execute VHS recording
- Verify output GIF creation
```

## Workflow

### Phase 1: Validate Tape File

1. Confirm tape file exists at specified path
2. Read tape file contents
3. Verify required directives:
   - `Output` directive specifies GIF destination
   - At least one action command (Type, Enter, etc.)

### Phase 2: Check VHS Installation

```bash
which vhs && vhs --version
```

If not installed:
```bash
# Linux/WSL
go install github.com/charmbracelet/vhs@latest

# macOS
brew install charmbracelet/tap/vhs

# Also requires ttyd and ffmpeg
```

### Phase 3: Execute Recording

```bash
vhs <tape-file.tape>
```

VHS will:
1. Parse tape file directives
2. Launch virtual terminal (ttyd)
3. Execute commands with timing
4. Capture frames
5. Encode to GIF using ffmpeg

### Phase 4: Verify Output

1. Check GIF file exists at Output path
2. Verify file size is non-zero
3. Report success with output location

## Exit Criteria

- GIF file created at specified Output path
- File size indicates successful recording (typically >50KB)
- No error messages from VHS execution