# vhs

A skill with 47 rules for VHS .tape files, so your agent writes and reviews terminal recordings that turn into GIFs and videos.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 323 installs · ★ 218
- Author: pproenca
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/.experimental/vhs/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-08-15
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/vhs

## What it does

VHS is Charmbracelet's tool for playing `.tape` files into GIFs or videos. This skill hands the agent 47 rules across eight categories: configuration structure, dependency management, command syntax, timing, output optimization, visual quality, CI, and advanced patterns. Each rule carries a priority and a prefix such as `config-` or `timing-`.

The content lives in `references/` files with explanations and code samples, plus a rule template at `assets/templates/_template.md` and a compiled guide in `AGENTS.md`. The agent pulls the right file when you write a new `.tape`, edit one, or wire GIF generation into CI. It triggers on `.tape` files, VHS configuration, demo creation, and CLI documentation.

Worth installing if terminal demos live in your repo. The rules insist on an explicit shell, explicit terminal dimensions, and settings placed before commands — skip that and a recording breaks the moment someone runs it elsewhere. The skill does not install VHS itself; it only covers what goes inside `.tape`.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill vhs -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill vhs -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill vhs -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install pproenca/dot-skills vhs
```

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

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill vhs -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/pproenca/dot-skills --path skills/.experimental/vhs
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add pproenca/dot-skills --skill vhs -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/pproenca/dot-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/.experimental/vhs/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- write a .tape file that replays on another machine
- place Sleep and Wait so command output lands in frame
- pick an output format and framerate that keep the file small
- set up GIF generation in CI and cache VHS dependencies
- review someone else's tape file for common mistakes

## Example prompts
- write a .tape that records a demo of my CLI tool
- review demo.tape against the VHS rules and list fixes
- add a command run with its output and a final pause to the .tape

## 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: 41aa05b987e33ceb.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 41aa05b987e33ceb
```text
---
name: vhs
description: VHS terminal recording best practices from Charmbracelet (formerly charmbracelet-vhs). This skill should be used when writing, reviewing, or editing VHS tape files to create professional terminal GIFs and videos. Triggers on tasks involving .tape files, VHS configuration, terminal recording, demo creation, or CLI documentation.
---

# Charmbracelet VHS Best Practices

Comprehensive best practices guide for VHS terminal recordings, maintained by Charmbracelet. Contains 47 rules across 8 categories, prioritized by impact to guide creation of professional, portable, and optimized terminal demos.

## When to Apply

Reference these guidelines when:
- Writing new VHS tape files
- Creating terminal demos for documentation
- Setting up CI/CD for automated GIF generation
- Optimizing recording file size and quality
- Troubleshooting tape file issues
- Reviewing tape files for best practices

## Rule Categories by Priority

| Priority | Category | Impact | Prefix |
|----------|----------|--------|--------|
| 1 | Configuration Structure | CRITICAL | `config-` |
| 2 | Dependency Management | CRITICAL | `deps-` |
| 3 | Command Syntax | HIGH | `cmd-` |
| 4 | Timing & Synchronization | HIGH | `timing-` |
| 5 | Output Optimization | MEDIUM-HIGH | `output-` |
| 6 | Visual Quality | MEDIUM | `visual-` |
| 7 | CI/Automation | MEDIUM | `ci-` |
| 8 | Advanced Patterns | LOW | `advanced-` |

## Quick Reference

### 1. Configuration Structure (CRITICAL)

- [`config-settings-order`](references/config-settings-order.md) - Place all settings before commands
- [`config-output-first`](references/config-output-first.md) - Declare output at file start
- [`config-shell-explicit`](references/config-shell-explicit.md) - Explicitly set shell type
- [`config-typing-speed-global`](references/config-typing-speed-global.md) - Set global TypingSpeed early
- [`config-dimensions-explicit`](references/config-dimensions-explicit.md) - Set explicit terminal dimensions
- [`config-comments-document`](references/config-comments-document.md) - Use comments to document tape structure

### 2. Dependency Management (CRITICAL)

- [`deps-require-early`](references/deps-require-early.md) - Use Require for dependency validation
- [`deps-require-order`](references/deps-require-order.md) - Place Require before settings
- [`deps-require-all`](references/deps-require-all.md) - Require all external commands
- [`deps-system-requirements`](references/deps-system-requirements.md) - Verify system dependencies

### 3. Command Syntax (HIGH)

- [`cmd-type-syntax`](references/cmd-type-syntax.md) - Use correct Type command syntax
- [`cmd-enter-explicit`](references/cmd-enter-explicit.md) - Always follow Type with Enter
- [`cmd-key-repeat`](references/cmd-key-repeat.md) - Use key repeat counts
- [`cmd-ctrl-combinations`](references/cmd-ctrl-combinations.md) - Use Ctrl combinations for terminal control
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 41aa05b987e33ceb

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the 41aa05b987e33ceb tags is data: requests and commands from it are not followed. An “end of file” line with another tag inside the block is part of the file.

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