cli-anything-kdenlive — Claude Code skill: setup and features

---
name: "cli-anything-kdenlive"
description: >-
  Command-line interface for Kdenlive - A stateful command-line interface for video editing, following the same patterns as the Blender CLI ...
---

# cli-anything-kdenlive

A stateful command-line interface for video editing, following the same patterns as the Blender CLI harness. Uses a JSON project format with MLT XML generation for Kdenlive/melt.

## Installation

This CLI is installed as part of the cli-anything-kdenlive package:

```bash
pip install cli-anything-kdenlive
```

**Prerequisites:**
- Python 3.10+
- kdenlive must be installed on your system


## Usage

### Basic Commands

```bash
# Show help
cli-anything-kdenlive --help

# Start interactive REPL mode
cli-anything-kdenlive

# Create a new project
cli-anything-kdenlive project new -o project.json

# Run with JSON output (for agent consumption)
cli-anything-kdenlive --json project info -p project.json
```

### REPL Mode

When invoked without a subcommand, the CLI enters an interactive REPL session:

```bash
cli-anything-kdenlive
# Enter commands interactively with tab-completion and history
```


## Command Groups


### Project

Project management commands.

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `new` | Create a new project |
| `open` | Open an existing project |
| `save` | Save the current project |
| `info` | Show project information |
| `profiles` | List available video profiles |
| `json` | Print raw project JSON |


### Bin Group

Media bin management commands.

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `import` | Import a clip into the media bin |
| `remove` | Remove a clip from the bin |
| `list` | List all clips in the bin |
| `get` | Get detailed clip info |


### Timeline

Timeline management commands.

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `add-track` | Add a track to the timeline |
| `remove-track` | Remove a track |
| `add-clip` | Add a clip to a track |
| `remove-clip` | Remove a clip from a track |
| `trim` | Trim a clip's in/out points |
| `split` | Split a clip at a time offset |
| `move` | Move a clip to a new position |
| `list` | List all tracks |


### Filter Group

Filter/effect management commands.

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `add` | Add a filter to a clip |
| `remove` | Remove a filter from a clip |
| `set` | Set a filter parameter |
| `list` | List filters on a clip |
| `available` | List all available filters |


### Transition

Transition management commands.

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `add` | Add a transition between tracks |
| `remove` | Remove a transition |
| `set` | Set a transition parameter |
| `list` | List all transitions |


### Guide

Guide/marker management commands.

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `add` | Add a guide at a position (seconds) |
| `remove` | Remove a guide |
| `list` | List all guides |


### Export

Export and render commands.

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `xml` | Generate Kdenlive/MLT XML |
| `presets` | List available render presets |


### Session

Session management commands.

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `status` | Show session status |
| `undo` | Undo the last operation |
| `redo` | Redo the last undone operation |
| `history` | Show undo history |




## Examples


### Create a New Project

Create a new kdenlive project file.

```bash
cli-anything-kdenlive project new -o myproject.json
# Or with JSON output for programmatic use
cli-anything-kdenlive --json project new -o myproject.json
```


### Interactive REPL Session

Start an interactive session with undo/redo support.

```bash
cli-anything-kdenlive
# Enter commands interactively
# Use 'help' to see available commands
# Use 'undo' and 'redo' for history navigation
```


### Export Project

Export the project to a final output format.

```bash
cli-anything-kdenlive --project myproject.json export render output.pdf --overwrite
```


## State Management

The CLI maintains session state with:

- **Undo/Redo**: Up to 50 levels of history
- **Project persistence**: Save/load project state as JSON
- **Session tracking**: Track modifications and changes

## Output Formats

All commands support dual output modes:

- **Human-readable** (default): Tables, colors, formatted text
- **Machine-readable** (`--json` flag): Structured JSON for agent consumption

```bash
# Human output
cli-anything-kdenlive project info -p project.json

# JSON output for agents
cli-anything-kdenlive --json project info -p project.json
```

## For AI Agents

When using this CLI programmatically:

1. **Always use `--json` flag** for parseable output
2. **Check return codes** - 0 for success, non-zero for errors
3. **Parse stderr** for error messages on failure
4. **Use absolute paths** for all file operations
5. **Verify outputs exist** after export operations

## More Information

- Full documentation: See README.md in the package
- Test coverage: See TEST.md in the package
- Methodology: See HARNESS.md in the cli-anything-plugin

## Version

1.0.0