Skill

vhs

Enforces Charmbracelet VHS best practices for writing, reviewing, and optimizing .tape files to produce professional terminal GIFs, videos, and CLI demos.

Bash

CI/CD

documentation

cli-tools

Install

npx claudepluginhub joshuarweaver/cascade-code-general-misc-1 --plugin pproenca-dot-skills-1

Tool Access

This skill uses the workspace's default tool permissions.

Preview

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.

SKILL.md

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Stars126

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Last CommitJan 21, 2026

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Charmbracelet VHS Best Practices

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 - Place all settings before commands
config-output-first - Declare output at file start
config-shell-explicit - Explicitly set shell type
config-typing-speed-global - Set global TypingSpeed early
config-dimensions-explicit - Set explicit terminal dimensions
config-comments-document - Use comments to document tape structure

2. Dependency Management (CRITICAL)

deps-require-early - Use Require for dependency validation
deps-require-order - Place Require before settings
deps-require-all - Require all external commands
deps-system-requirements - Verify system dependencies

3. Command Syntax (HIGH)

cmd-type-syntax - Use correct Type command syntax
cmd-enter-explicit - Always follow Type with Enter
cmd-key-repeat - Use key repeat counts
cmd-ctrl-combinations - Use Ctrl combinations for terminal control
cmd-hide-show - Use Hide/Show for sensitive operations
cmd-env-variables - Use Env for environment variables
cmd-screenshot - Use Screenshot for static captures
cmd-multiline-type - Handle multiline commands properly

4. Timing & Synchronization (HIGH)

timing-sleep-after-enter - Add Sleep after commands for output
timing-wait-pattern - Use Wait for dynamic command completion
timing-type-speed-override - Override TypingSpeed for emphasis
timing-sleep-units - Use explicit time units
timing-final-sleep - End recordings with final Sleep
timing-natural-pauses - Add natural pauses between actions
timing-wait-timeout - Set appropriate Wait timeouts
timing-playback-speed - Use PlaybackSpeed for final adjustments

5. Output Optimization (MEDIUM-HIGH)

output-format-selection - Choose output format based on use case
output-framerate - Optimize framerate for file size
output-dimensions-optimize - Right-size terminal dimensions
output-loop-offset - Use LoopOffset for seamless loops
output-multiple-formats - Generate multiple output formats
output-relative-paths - Use relative paths for portability

6. Visual Quality (MEDIUM)

visual-font-readable - Choose readable font settings
visual-theme-selection - Select appropriate theme
visual-window-decoration - Add window decorations for polish
visual-spacing - Adjust letter and line spacing
visual-padding-margin - Use padding and margins effectively
visual-cursor-visibility - Ensure cursor visibility

7. CI/Automation (MEDIUM)

ci-github-action - Use official VHS GitHub Action
ci-auto-commit - Auto-commit generated assets
ci-golden-files - Use golden files for integration testing
ci-matrix-builds - Generate platform-specific demos
ci-caching - Cache VHS dependencies in CI

8. Advanced Patterns (LOW)

advanced-source-include - Use Source for reusable tape components
advanced-clipboard - Use Copy and Paste for complex input
advanced-recording-live - Record live sessions then edit
advanced-server-mode - Use server mode for remote access

How to Use

Read individual reference files for detailed explanations and code examples:

Section definitions - Category structure and impact levels
Rule template - Template for adding new rules

Reference Files

File	Description
AGENTS.md	Complete compiled guide with all rules
references/_sections.md	Category definitions and ordering
assets/templates/_template.md	Template for new rules
metadata.json	Version and reference information