vhs-recorder

Create professional terminal recordings with VHS tape files - guides through syntax, timing, settings, and best practices

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Install

openclaw skills install vhs-recorder

VHS Recorder

Create terminal recordings with Charm's VHS. Use when creating CLI demos, README animations, documentation videos.

Prerequisites

vhs installed (brew install vhs / go install github.com/charmbracelet/vhs@latest)
ttyd and ffmpeg on PATH

Tape File Structure

Output demo.gif         # Outputs first
Set Width 1200          # Settings second
Set Theme "Catppuccin Mocha"
Require git             # Requirements third
Hide                    # Hidden setup
Type "cd /tmp && clear"
Enter
Show
Type "your command"     # Main recording
Enter
Wait
Sleep 2s

Core Commands

Command	Purpose
`Type "text"`	Type text (uses TypingSpeed setting)
`Enter` / `Tab` / `Space`	Key presses
`Up` / `Down` / `Left` / `Right`	Arrow navigation
`PageUp` / `PageDown`	Page navigation
`Ctrl+C` / `Ctrl+D` / `Ctrl+L`	Signal/EOF/clear combos
`Wait` / `Wait /pattern/`	Wait for prompt or regex match
`Sleep 2s`	Fixed pause (supports ms/s/m)
`Hide`/`Show`	Hide setup/cleanup from output
`Type@50ms "text"`	Override typing speed inline
`Backspace N` / `Delete N`	Delete N chars back/forward
`Copy` / `Paste`	Clipboard operations
`Screenshot path.png`	Capture single frame
`Env VAR "value"`	Set environment variable

Essential Settings

Setting	Default	Notes
Width/Height	1200/600	Terminal dimensions in pixels
FontSize	32	Text size; FontFamily for custom fonts
TypingSpeed	50ms	Per-char delay (override with `Type@Xms`)
Theme	-	Use `vhs themes` to list all available
Padding	40	Border space; LetterSpacing/LineHeight also available

Timing & Patterns

3-2-1 Rule: 3s after important commands, 2s between actions, 1s for transitions

Clean start: Hide → Type "clear" → Enter → Show
Command-wait: Type → Enter → Wait → Sleep 2s
Fast hidden: Type@10ms "setup command"
ASCII preview: Output demo.ascii for instant test

Output Formats

Format	Use Case
`.gif`	Web/README (universal)
`.mp4`/`.webm`	Social media / modern browsers
`.ascii`	Preview/test (instant, no ffmpeg)
`frames/`	PNG sequence for post-processing

Quick Fixes

Issue	Solution
Commands too fast	Add `Wait` + `Sleep 2s` after Enter
Messy terminal	`Hide` → `clear` → `Show` at start
Inconsistent pacing	Follow 3-2-1 timing rule

CLI Commands

vhs demo.tape       # Run tape file
vhs themes          # List all available themes
vhs manual          # Show full command reference

References

vhs-syntax.md - Full command reference
timing-control.md - Pacing strategies
settings.md - All configuration options
examples.md - Real-world tape files