/timeline-diff — Compare Two Timelines

Show what changed between two versions of a timeline. Essential for tracking revisions and understanding what the editor changed.

Arguments

User provides two timeline names. If only one is given, compare it against the current timeline.

Workflow

1. Gather clip data from both timelines

For each timeline:

• Use resolve_set_current_timeline to switch to it
• Use resolve_get_timeline_info to get duration, fps, track count
• For each video track (V1, V2, V3, etc.), use resolve_list_clips_on_track to get all clips
• For each clip, use resolve_get_item_properties and resolve_get_clip_source_info to get:
  • Source file name
  • Source in/out points
  • Timeline position (start frame, end frame)
  • Track number
  • Speed/retime settings
  • Enabled/disabled state

2. Compare

Build a diff by matching clips between timelines using source file name as the key:

Added clips: In timeline B but not in A (new source files on the timeline) Removed clips: In timeline A but not in B Moved clips: Same source file but different timeline position or track Trimmed clips: Same source file, same position, but different in/out points Reordered clips: Same clips on V1 but in different sequence order Duration change: Overall timeline duration difference

3. Report

Format as a structured diff:

## Timeline Diff: "Edit v1" → "Edit v2"

**Duration:** 02:15:30 → 02:12:15 (−3:15)
**Tracks:** V1-V2 A1-A4 → V1-V3 A1-A4 (+1 video track)

### Added (3 clips)
+ V2 01:05:00 — drone_shot_042.mp4 (0:00–0:08)
+ V2 01:22:00 — broll_new_015.mp4 (0:00–0:12)
+ V3 00:00:00 — lower_third.png (still)

### Removed (2 clips)
− V1 00:45:10 — interview_take2.mp4 (was 0:15–0:45)
− V2 01:10:00 — old_broll_003.mp4 (was 0:00–0:06)

### Trimmed (4 clips)
~ V1 00:30:00 — interview_take1.mp4: in 0:10→0:12 out 0:45→0:42 (−5s)
~ V1 01:00:00 — hero_shot.mp4: in 0:00→0:02 (trimmed head)

### Moved (1 clip)
↕ broll_sunset.mp4: V2 01:30:00 → V2 01:15:00 (moved earlier)

### Summary
3 added, 2 removed, 4 trimmed, 1 moved

Example Interactions

User: /timeline-diff "Edit v1" "Edit v2" → Compare the two named timelines, report all changes.

User: /timeline-diff "Edit v2" → Compare "Edit v2" against the currently active timeline.

User: /timeline-diff "Rough Cut" "Fine Cut" → Show what changed from rough to fine cut.