# beat-sync-editing

Plans cut points from BPM, shapes sequence pacing, and maps transitions or retimes to an edit timeline.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 2900 installs · ★ 161
- Author: iart-ai
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/iart-ai/motion-design-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/beat-sync-editing/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-06-22
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/beat-sync-editing

## What it does

This skill turns a track’s rhythm into frame-based cut points using `(60 / BPM) * fps`. It suggests cutting on phrases, putting the largest visual moment on a musical drop, and shaping a sequence from establish through climax to resolve. Shot duration can tighten toward the climax.

For less visible edits, it recommends cutting during motion and matching direction with speed. It covers hard cuts, match cuts, J-cuts, L-cuts, and speed ramps that slow into an impact before returning to normal speed. A hard cut is the default choice, so transitions need a clear visual or audio reason.

The plan can be handed to an editing application or expressed as frame numbers for `Remotion` or `AE`. Clips use start and duration, transitions use overlap, and retimes use an eased time curve.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add iart-ai/motion-design-skills --skill beat-sync-editing -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/beat-sync-editing/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/beat-sync-editing/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add iart-ai/motion-design-skills --skill beat-sync-editing -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/beat-sync-editing/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add iart-ai/motion-design-skills --skill beat-sync-editing -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/beat-sync-editing/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install iart-ai/motion-design-skills beat-sync-editing
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/beat-sync-editing/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add iart-ai/motion-design-skills --skill beat-sync-editing -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/iart-ai/motion-design-skills --path skills/beat-sync-editing
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/beat-sync-editing/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add iart-ai/motion-design-skills --skill beat-sync-editing -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/iart-ai/motion-design-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/beat-sync-editing/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- calculate cut frames from BPM
- align sequence edits with musical phrases
- hide a cut through matching motion
- choose J-cuts or L-cuts for audio continuity
- map a speed ramp onto a frame timeline

## Example prompts
- “Sync the cuts in this sequence to the track BPM.”
- “Fix the pacing so shot lengths tighten toward the climax.”
- “Write a `Remotion` frame timeline with a match cut and a speed ramp.”

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 2edcbd9b1f912d37.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 2edcbd9b1f912d37
````text
---
name: beat-sync-editing
description: This skill should be used when the user asks to "cut to the beat", "fix the pacing", "edit this sequence", "sync cuts to music/BPM", "add a match cut / J-cut / L-cut", "build a speed ramp", or "plan a shot sequence / edit timeline". Covers editing rhythm, transitions, retiming, and translating an edit plan to an NLE or a code timeline (Remotion/AE frames).
version: 0.1.0
---

# Beat-Sync Editing (Cuts & Rhythm)

The timeline craft: how clips and beats assemble into a piece that *feels* right. Editing is temporal design — when a cut lands matters as much as what is on screen. This skill turns musical and narrative structure into concrete cut points, transitions, and retimes, expressible in an NLE or as frame numbers in code.

## When to use

- Assembling a sequence or cutting footage to a music track.
- Pacing drags or feels choppy; transitions feel arbitrary.
- Building speed ramps, match cuts, or tension/release structure.
- Converting an edit plan into a frame-accurate timeline (Remotion, AE, NLE).

## Decision tree

```
What's the editing problem?
├─ Cuts feel off the music
│   └─ get BPM + offset → frames_per_beat = (60/BPM)*fps
│      → cut on PHRASES (2/4/8 beats), biggest visual on the drop
├─ A cut feels jarring / visible
│   └─ cut on action (mid-motion), match direction + velocity
│      → still rough? motivate a transition (match / J / L), else hard cut
├─ Pacing drags or feels flat
│   └─ shape an arc: Establish → Develop → Climax → Resolve
│      → shorten avg shot length toward climax, hold after it
├─ A hit needs impact
│   └─ speed ramp INTO it (slow-mo), snap back; land slowest frame on the beat
└─ Need to hand it to code
    └─ express every cut as a frame number, clip as from/duration,
       transition as overlap, retime as eased time-remap (Remotion/AE)
```

**Cross-reference — apply the shared frameworks.**

- **Motion Personality** (`motion-art-direction`) sets cut rhythm: the chosen energy maps straight to phrase length and transition family. Pick one and commit (see the table below).
- **Three Pillars** + beat-sync (`animation-principles`): settle *emotional intent* first (hype vs. calm) — it decides whether you cut every bar or hold for four. `animation-principles` defines the BPM→beat relationship; this skill turns it into frame-accurate cut points and the transition/retime craft on top.

### Motion Personality → cut rhythm

| Personality | Phrase (cut every) | Transition family | Retime | Reads as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Playful** | 4 beats, syncopated accents | match cuts, quick whips | light ramps, bouncy | fun, kinetic |
| **Premium** | 8–16 beats, long holds | hard cut + occasional dissolve | slow, smooth ramps | elegant, unhurried |
| **Corporate** | 8 beats, steady | hard cut, clean | minimal | clean, trustworthy |
````
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