Opusclip

OpusClip

Turn long-form videos into short clips via the OpusClip API.

BETA — features and pricing are subject to change. API pricing may diverge from web pricing.

Prerequisites

• OPUSCLIP_API_KEY must be set. If the user already has an Enterprise, Pro, or Max plan, they can copy their key from https://clip.opus.pro/dashboard. Otherwise, direct them to the pricing page — API access requires Enterprise, Pro, or Max.
• The CLI at scripts/opusclip requires Node.js (>=18) — it is a bundled JS file

CLI Quick Reference

Run the bundled CLI at scripts/opusclip. Commands follow a resource + verb tree (opusclip <resource> <verb>); all commands output JSON.

opusclip project create --url URL [options]   Submit video for clipping
opusclip project create --file PATH [options] Upload local video + create project
opusclip project list [--page N]              List the org's clip projects (most recent first)
opusclip project share --project ID           Share project publicly
opusclip project transcript --project ID      Get the source-video transcript (paragraphs + word timing in ms)
opusclip project preview --project ID [--output PATH]  Generate HTML preview and open in browser
opusclip clip list --project ID               List a project's clips (preview URLs; HD via clip export)
opusclip clip get --project ID --clip CID     Get clip details (transcript, layout info)
opusclip clip export --project ID --clip CID  Get the HD download URL for one clip (ready|rendering|unavailable)
opusclip clip edit <verb> [flags]             Server-side clip edits (charged, re-renders the clip) (beta — pricing may change)
  ops             Named edit operations, applied in order, one re-render (beta — pricing may change)
  get             Fetch EditingScript JSON for round-trip edits (escape hatch) (beta — pricing may change)
  apply           Submit an edited EditingScript directly (escape hatch) (beta — pricing may change)
  censor          Profanity censor (dictionary-based; --beep adds sound effect) (beta — pricing may change)
opusclip clip duplicate --project ID --clip CID   Duplicate a clip into a "(Copy)" (free, server-side)
opusclip clip trim --project ID --clip CID --start S --end E   Local ffmpeg trim (no API call, no captions)
opusclip clip storyboard --project ID --clip CID   Generate 2x2 frame preview (requires ffmpeg)
opusclip collection <verb> [options]          Manage collections (list, clips, create, export, add-clip)
opusclip post <verb> [options]                Social posting (create, schedule, cancel)
  list            List scheduled/published posts (--project, or an --from/--to window)
  account list    List connected social accounts
  copy create     Generate AI-optimized post copy
  copy get        Poll for generated copy result
  schedule        Schedule a post for future publishing (beta — pricing may change)
opusclip thumbnail create --url URL [options] Generate YouTube thumbnails (experimental; credit-charged per call)
opusclip template list                        List brand templates
opusclip usage                                Show the org's API cap usage (monthly + concurrent, or uncapped)

Legacy bare-verb aliases (submit, create-project, upload, list, get-clips, list-projects, describe, templates, transcript, share, share-project, collections, edit-clip, trim, storyboard, preview, post publish|accounts|generate-copy|copy-status) still work, but the resource + verb forms below are canonical.

project create

Copyright hint

Immediately before calling opusclip project create, narrate the following sentence to the user as a plain notice (not an AskUserQuestion, not a yes/no gate):

Using video you don't own may violate copyright laws. By continuing, you confirm this is your own original content.

This mirrors the inline disclaimer the OpusClip web app shows on its submit panel. Show it verbatim on every project create; do not block on a confirmation.

opusclip project create --url "https://youtube.com/watch?v=..." --durations "30,60,90" [more options]

Incompatible combinations are rejected up front with a clear error (for example --enable-auto-hook with --skip-slicing, or --dubbing-language with --target-lang) — relay the error to the user and ask which they want instead of retrying blindly.

clip list

opusclip clip list --project PROJECT_ID

To list the clips in a collection, use collection clips --id COLLECTION_ID.

Clips already include human-readable fields (title, description, hashtags, scores) by default. Display clips with their title and description rather than just clip IDs.

The output contains project_id and clip_id as separate fields. Use clip_id (e.g. 0RiWBs5xuF) for --clip flags, not the composite ID.

clip list returns the preview_url (the watchable low-res artifact) and thumbnail — not the HD download URL. To download the HD file for a clip, use clip export (one clip) or collection export (a whole collection).

clip export

Get the HD download URL for a single clip. This is the explicit export step — clip list / clip get are preview-only, mirroring the web app where the HD link appears only after you click Export.

opusclip clip export --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID

Returns {project_id, clip_id, status, export_url?}:

• status: "ready" — export_url is the HD mp4, download it.
• status: "rendering" — an HD render is in flight; call clip export again to poll (there is no separate poll command).
• status: "unavailable" — no HD artifact exists and nothing is rendering. This is a final answer (do not loop) — e.g. a preview-only plan.

For many clips at once, add them to a collection and use collection export.

project list

List the calling org's clip projects, most recent first. Use this to find a project_id when the user hasn't given one.

opusclip project list
opusclip project list --page 1 --page-size 50

Each row has project_id, title, source_type, source_video_id, stage, created_at, updated_at, is_deleted.

project transcript

Get a project's source-video transcript: paragraphs with word-level timing (in milliseconds).

opusclip project transcript --project PROJECT_ID

Returns { project_id, paragraphs: [{ paragraph_id, start_ms, end_ms, text, words: [{ word, start_ms, end_ms }] }] }. If the project has no transcript yet (still processing), paragraphs is omitted.

project preview

Generate an HTML preview page with video players for all clips and open it in the browser.

opusclip project preview --project PROJECT_ID
opusclip project preview --project PROJECT_ID --output /path/to/output.html

The preview page shows clips sorted by score with inline video players, titles, descriptions, hashtags, and detailed AI scores (hook, coherence, connection, trend). Use this whenever the user wants to watch or preview their clips.

project share

opusclip project share --project PROJECT_ID

collection

opusclip collection list
opusclip collection clips --id COL_ID
opusclip collection create --name "NAME"
opusclip collection export --id ID
opusclip collection add-clip --id COL_ID --content-id PROJECT_ID.CLIP_ID

Destructive/complex collection operations (deleting a collection, removing a clip) are intentionally web-only — the CLI exposes only the basic, safe operations. Collections can be exported (download links) but cannot be shared publicly. To share clips publicly, use project share --project on the project instead.

clip edit

BETA — features and pricing are subject to change. API pricing may diverge from web pricing.

Workflow guidance

Before running more than 3 clip edit operations on a single clip in one session, ask the user to confirm — these may incur charges that don't match the web UX.

Never run clip edit or post schedule in a loop without user confirmation each iteration.

Server-side edits to an existing clip. Every sub-verb except get re-renders the clip (charged, beta caps apply).

ops is the way to edit a clip. It runs named operations against the clip's EditingScript and submits the result: one call, one re-render, however many ops. This is the same operation vocabulary the OpusClip MCP's edit_clip tool exposes, running the same implementation — the two surfaces cannot drift.

opusclip clip edit ops --project PID --clip CID --op NAME[:k=v,k=v] [--op ...] [--dry-run]

Ops apply in the order given. --dry-run applies them locally and reports what would change without submitting and without re-rendering — use it to check an op before spending a render. --dry-run with no --op at all is the capability read: it lists the tracks the clip carries (KeyFrameTrack, CaptionTrack, EmojiTrack, TextOverlayTrack, …) so you can tell what is editable before trying an op and being refused.

A section is one cut of the clip, addressed by its 0-based sectionIndex. Every timeline op echoes the resulting sections back as index / start_sec / end_sec, so the next op can be addressed without re-reading the clip. Overlays work the same way: overlayIndex is 0-based in time order, and every overlay op echoes the full list back with each one's text and window.

A value containing a comma must be quoted, or the parameter split would truncate it: --op 'delete_phrase:phrase="um, you know"'.

Colours are #RRGGBB. captionColor is ordinary caption text; highlightColor is the accent on emphasised words (OpusClip defaults to bright green #04f827). captionPosition is top, middle or bottom. uppercase is true or false.

Setting highlightColor does not switch highlighting on.

The op that toggles keyword highlighting (set_keyword_highlight) is available on the MCP edit_clip tool but not yet in this CLI. If highlighting is off for a clip, changing its colour has no visible effect. The same applies to set_captions, set_emoji, remove_filler_words and remove_pauses — MCP-only for now.

# make the first section 8 seconds long, then drop the third
opusclip clip edit ops --project PID --clip CID \
  --op trim_section:sectionIndex=0,keepToSec=8 \
  --op drop_section:sectionIndex=2

# cut a phrase, and put white uppercase captions at the top
opusclip clip edit ops --project PID --clip CID \
  --op 'delete_phrase:phrase=you know what I mean' \
  --op 'set_style:captionColor=#FFFFFF,uppercase=true,captionPosition=top'

# fix a typo in the captions -- the video and its timing are untouched
opusclip clip edit ops --project PID --clip CID \
  --op 'replace_phrase:phrase=prooduct,replacement=product'

# add a title card for the first 3 seconds, then take the auto-hook off
opusclip clip edit ops --project PID --clip CID \
  --op 'add_text_overlay:text=Welcome,atClipSec=0,durationSec=3,position=bottom' \
  --op remove_text_overlay:overlayIndex=0

# move the emoji that pops up at 0:21 out of the way
opusclip clip edit ops --project PID --clip CID --op 'move_emoji:atClipSec=21,position=top'

# check what an op would do, render nothing
opusclip clip edit ops --project PID --clip CID --op drop_section:sectionIndex=1 --dry-run

# what can I edit on this clip? (lists its tracks, changes nothing)
opusclip clip edit ops --project PID --clip CID --dry-run

Escape hatch: get / apply / censor

opusclip clip edit get             --project PID --clip CID [--output FILE]
opusclip clip edit apply           --project PID --clip CID --script FILE
opusclip clip edit censor          --project PID --clip CID [--beep]

For an edit ops does not cover, fetch the EditingScript, modify it, and submit it back; see references/editing-script.md for the mutation paths and recipes. Prefer ops wherever it applies — hand-editing a ~1400-line script is how a structurally broken script once shipped, rendered, and stayed green for two weeks. censor is a dictionary-based profanity pass and remains a convenience verb.

The caption-fix, caption-replace, and server-side trim sub-verbs were removed for the reason ops now exists: they hand-rolled EditingScripts in the CLI and drifted from the engine. (opusclip clip trim remains as a free, instant, no-caption ffmpeg cut on the preview mp4.)

ops / apply / censor return {job_id} (absent on --dry-run, which submits nothing). Poll status via opusclip clip get --project PID --clip CID — render_pending is true while the re-render runs (absent or false when done). Once it is done, get the HD mp4 with opusclip clip export --project PID --clip CID.

clip get

Get structured information about a clip. Use this to understand clip content without watching the video.

opusclip clip get --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID
opusclip clip get --transcript --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID
opusclip clip get --layout --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID

Without --transcript or --layout, the default output includes content fields (title, description, transcript, hashtags, keywords, score, duration_sec, aspect), the preview_url (the watchable low-res artifact), and render_pending (true while a re-render is in flight; absent or false when done) — what powers re-render polling. The HD download URL is not here — use clip export for that. Use --transcript when you only need the spoken text. Use --layout to check current framing before suggesting layout changes.

Polling a re-render (after any clip edit sub-verb):

while :; do
  opusclip clip get --project P --clip C \
    | jq -e '.render_pending != true' >/dev/null && break
  sleep 10
done

clip storyboard

Generate a 2x2 frame grid image from a clip's preview video. Requires ffmpeg.

opusclip clip storyboard --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID
opusclip clip storyboard --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID --output /path/to/output.jpg

Opens the image automatically on macOS/Linux. Use this for quick visual review of a clip's content.

clip trim

Trim a clip's preview video locally. Requires ffmpeg.

opusclip clip trim --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID --start 3 --end 50
opusclip clip trim --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID --start 3 --end 50 --output trimmed.mp4

clip duplicate

Duplicate a clip within its project. Creates an independent copy titled <title> (Copy) that can be edited or exported without touching the original — the server deep-copies the already-rendered clip, so the copy is ready immediately.

Cost: Free — no credit charge (server-side copy of the rendered clip, no re-render).

opusclip clip duplicate --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID

Returns the new clip in the same shape as clip list (same JSON fields), so you can pipe it straight into a follow-up clip edit / post create. Not idempotent — each call creates another copy.

post

BETA — features and pricing are subject to change. API pricing may diverge from web pricing. Applies to post create and post schedule.

Workflow guidance

Before scheduling more than 5 posts in one session, ask the user to confirm — scheduled posts may begin to incur per-post charges.

Never run clip edit or post schedule in a loop without user confirmation each iteration.

Manage social posting — publish clips to YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

opusclip post account list
opusclip post copy create --project PID --clip CID --account AID [--prompt "tone"]
opusclip post copy get --job JOB_ID
opusclip post create --project PID --clip CID --account AID --title "Title" [--description "..."] [--privacy public]
opusclip post schedule --project PID --clip CID --account AID --title "Title" --at 2026-03-25T14:00:00Z
opusclip post cancel --schedule SCHEDULE_ID

Supported platforms: YouTube, TikTok Business, Facebook Page, Instagram Business, LinkedIn, X (Twitter). "Twitter" refers to X — the platform identifier is TWITTER. Each X post costs 1 credit.

When the user doesn't specify a post title, use the clip's title from the clip list output.

thumbnail create

EXPERIMENTAL — features and pricing are subject to change. Daily caps apply. The endpoint may be temporarily disabled while in experimental status.

Generate AI-designed YouTube thumbnails from a source video. Results are downloaded automatically on completion.

Cost: Every call is credit-charged for Pro/Enterprise callers — the API surface has no free quota (free quota is web-only). Each call costs a fixed number of credits (currently 7). Free/Starter callers get a QuotaExceedErr.

opusclip thumbnail create --url "https://youtube.com/watch?v=..."
opusclip thumbnail create --url URL --reference ./face.png --prompt "bold red text 'EPIC'" --output ./thumbs/

The command POSTs to /generative-jobs with jobType: thumbnail, polls GET /generative-jobs/{jobId} every 5s, and downloads each result.generatedThumbnailUris[] into the output directory (opens it automatically on macOS).

Error codes:

• 403 — not on Pro/Enterprise, or the thumbnail jobType isn't exposed for your account.
• 429 — daily cap or 30 req/min rate limit hit (Retry-After may be present).
• 503 — the endpoint is temporarily disabled (kill switch). Try again later.

The endpoint is governed by a kill switch (pro_api_generative_jobs_enabled); a 503 means the capability is paused, not that something is wrong with your call.

template list

opusclip template list

List brand templates. Use a template's ID with project create --template.

usage

Show the calling org's API cap usage — answers "how much of my monthly API cap have I used / how close am I to the limit?". Takes no flags; reads GET /api/api-usage?q=mine.

opusclip usage

Two output shapes:

• Capped: { uncapped: false, monthly: { used, limit, remaining, reset_at }, concurrent: { used, limit } }. The monthly numbers are the same ones stamped on every API response as X-RateLimit-Limit / X-RateLimit-Remaining (and reset_at is the ISO form of X-RateLimit-Reset), so this can't drift from what's actually enforced; concurrent is in-flight projects vs the concurrent cap.
• Uncapped: { uncapped: true } — the workspace has no API cap (some Enterprise plans); no numbers to report.

Common Workflows

Clip a YouTube video

opusclip project create --url "https://youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID" --durations "30,60,90"
# Wait for processing, then:
opusclip clip list --project PROJECT_ID
# Preview clips in browser:
opusclip project preview --project PROJECT_ID

--durations is required in practice — the API rejects payloads without curationPref.clipDurations. Pick the target clip lengths you want generated (each value becomes a [0, N] bucket).

Use ClipAnything with a custom prompt

opusclip project create \
  --url "https://youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID" \
  --model ClipAnything \
  --prompt "Find the most emotional moments" \
  --durations "30,60,90"

Upload a local video, clip, and organize

opusclip project create --file video.mp4 --title "Interview" --model ClipBasic
opusclip clip list --project PROJECT_ID
opusclip collection create --name "Best Clips"
opusclip collection add-clip --id COL_ID --content-id PROJECT_ID.CLIP_ID
opusclip collection export --id COL_ID

Clip, curate, and share

opusclip project create --url "https://youtube.com/watch?v=..." --durations "30,60,90"
opusclip clip list --project PROJECT_ID

# Understand clip content
opusclip clip get --transcript --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID

# Visual review
opusclip clip storyboard --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID

# Share
opusclip project share --project PROJECT_ID

Clip, generate copy, and post to social

# 1. Submit and get clips
opusclip project create --url "https://youtube.com/watch?v=..." --durations "30,60,90"
opusclip clip list --project PROJECT_ID

# 2. See where you can post
opusclip post account list

# 3. Generate platform-optimized copy
opusclip post copy create --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID --account ACCOUNT_ID --prompt "witty and engaging"
opusclip post copy get --job JOB_ID

# 4a. Publish immediately
opusclip post create --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID --account ACCOUNT_ID --title "Check this out!"

# 4b. Or schedule for later
opusclip post schedule --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID --account ACCOUNT_ID --title "Check this out!" --at 2026-03-25T14:00:00Z

# Cancel if needed
opusclip post cancel --schedule SCHEDULE_ID

Edit a clip, then post

# Server-side edit (censor / apply)
opusclip clip edit censor --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID --beep

# Wait for the re-render
while :; do
  opusclip clip get --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID \
    | jq -e '.render_pending != true' >/dev/null && break
  sleep 10
done

# Post the edited clip
opusclip post create --project PROJECT_ID --clip CLIP_ID --account ACCOUNT_ID --title "..."

Constraints

• Rate limit: 30 req/min
• Max video: 10 hours, 30 GB
• Max concurrent: 50 projects
• Projects expire after 30 days
• 1 credit = 1 minute of video
• Thumbnail API: credit-charged per call (Pro/Enterprise only; currently 7 credits); experimental, may be disabled without notice (503)

API Reference

For detailed endpoint schemas, parameters, and response formats, see references/api-reference.md.