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Demo Video

MicrosoftOfficialPublished by Microsoft

  • Skill
  • Content generator
  • Design and creative
  • MIT
  • Low risk
  • Has scripts

From the author

Assemble ordered frames or clips with narration and optional synchronized scene transitions into an MP4 via FFmpeg
— the description by Microsoft

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

This skill provides a structured workflow for creating narrated walkthrough videos by combining static frames or video clips with synchronized narration audio. It uses a YAML-based manifest to define the sequence, resolution, frame rate, and transition effects. The process leverages FFmpeg to normalize segments and mux the audio, resulting in a polished MP4 file. It is designed to integrate into existing media pipelines, such as those using Playwright for screen captures and Azure AI Speech for narration.

What it does

  • Assembles ordered visual segments and narration into a single MP4 video.
  • Supports both static image frames and existing video clips as visual sources.
  • Applies synchronized scene transitions like crossfades between segments.
  • Normalizes input segments to a consistent resolution and frame rate.
  • Muxes narration WAV files directly into the final video output.
  • Provides configurable output settings including resolution, FPS, and transition duration.

When to use it

  • When you need to create consistent, narrated walkthroughs of software prototypes.
  • When you have a collection of screen captures and generated audio files that need to be combined.
  • When you want to automate the production of demo videos as part of a CI/CD pipeline.
  • When you require a repeatable process for generating videos with specific transition effects.

Advantages

  • Automates the tedious process of manual video editing for simple walkthroughs.
  • Ensures consistent video quality and timing across multiple demo segments.
  • Integrates seamlessly with other tools for screen capture and AI-generated narration.
  • Supports programmatic control via manifest files for version-controlled video production.

Usage examples

“Assemble a demo video using the segments defined in my segments.yml file.”
The skill processes the manifest, renders the visual segments and narration into an MP4 file at the specified output path.
“Create a 1080p demo video with crossfade transitions using the provided manifest.”
The skill generates an MP4 video at 1920x1080 resolution, applying the requested crossfade effects between all segments.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://autogineer.com/agent-skills/microsoft/demo-video/download
  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip demo-video.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by Microsoft

Demo Video Assembly Skill

This skill assembles a narrated demo video from ordered visual segments and matching narration audio. It is designed for first-pass walkthrough videos that combine captured prototype frames or clips with per-segment voiceover WAV files.

Overview

The workflow takes a manifest that describes each segment, resolves the visual source, and uses FFmpeg to render each segment into a normalized video clip before assembling the final MP4. It supports hard cuts by default or optional synchronized video and audio fades. The narration track is muxed from WAV files so the output can be reviewed without a separate video-editing tool.

Manifest Schema

Use a segments.yml manifest with optional top-level output settings and an ordered list of segments. Each entry describes a visual source and the narration audio to combine for that portion of the video. All paths resolve relative to the manifest file.

output: ./output/demo.mp4   # optional; destination path for the assembled MP4
resolution: 1280x720        # optional; default 1280x720
fps: 24                     # optional; default 24
transition:                 # optional; omit for hard cuts
  type: crossfade
  duration: 0.5
  fade_in: true
  fade_out: true
segments:
  - type: frame
    visual: ./frames/intro.png
    narration: ./audio/intro.wav
    duration: 4.5
  - type: clip
    clip: ./clips/interaction.mp4
    narration: ./audio/interaction.wav
Top-level fields
  • output sets the destination path for the assembled MP4, resolved relative to the manifest; the --output or -OutputPath argument overrides it when supplied

  • resolution controls the output width and height in WIDTHxHEIGHT form (default 1280x720); the --resolution or -Resolution argument overrides it

  • fps sets the frame rate applied when rendering each segment (default 24); the --fps or -Fps argument overrides it

  • transition enables synchronized scene and narration fades; omit it or set it to none to retain hard cuts

Transition fields
  • type accepts crossfade or fade, which both select FFmpeg's fade cross-transition

  • duration sets every opening, scene, audio, and closing fade in seconds (default 0.5)

  • fade_in controls the opening video and audio fade (default true)

  • fade_out controls the closing video and audio fade (default true)

The assembler adds silent handles around speech and holds the matching endpoint pictures. Crossfades overlap those handles, not adjacent spoken instructions; do not pre-pad narration to compensate. The normalized segments must exceed twice the transition duration. Output duration is the sum of unpadded narration durations plus one transition duration per scene boundary and per enabled opening/closing fade. With transitions disabled, no handles are added.

Segment fields
  • type identifies whether the segment is a still image (frame) or a motion clip (clip)

  • visual points to an image file for a frame segment

  • clip points to a motion clip file for a clip segment

  • narration points to the WAV file generated from narration text (the script also accepts narration_wav as an alias)

  • duration is optional and overrides the inferred duration when you want a fixed segment length

Quick Start

Use the bash or PowerShell wrappers to invoke the assembler from the skill directory.

scripts/assemble-video.sh --manifest examples/segments.yml --output ./output/demo.mp4
scripts/Invoke-AssembleVideo.ps1 -ManifestPath examples/segments.yml -OutputPath ./output/demo.mp4

Parameters Reference

The assembly step accepts the following high-level controls:

  • --manifest or -ManifestPath selects the YAML manifest to process

  • --output or -OutputPath sets the destination MP4 path

  • --fps or -Fps controls the output frame rate for rendered segments

  • --resolution or -Resolution controls the output width and height in the form WIDTHxHEIGHT

  • --timeout or -TimeoutSeconds sets the maximum seconds for each ffprobe or ffmpeg invocation (1-86400, default 600); a timed-out step stops the run with an error that names the step

  • duration per segment lets you override the inferred length when narration timing is known in advance

Failure Behavior

The assembled MP4 is written to a temporary file next to the destination and moved into place only after FFmpeg succeeds. A failed, timed-out, interrupted, or invalid transition run leaves no partial MP4 at the output path and keeps any existing file there unchanged. A successful run replaces an existing file at the output path. Temporary segment files are always removed.

Narration Quality

Narration quality is the single biggest driver of how polished the final video feels. Generate narration with neural voices from Azure AI Speech (part of Azure AI Foundry) through the tts-voiceover skill, for example en-US-Andrew:DragonHDLatestNeural or en-US-Jenny:DragonHDLatestNeural. These produce natural, presentation-grade narration.

This skill assembles video locally with FFmpeg and does not generate video with an AI model. When the narration is synthetic, tell viewers that the voice is AI-generated. HVE demo-material CI publishes silent videos; internal silent timing tracks are removed during finalization.

See the tts-voiceover skill for the neural voice catalog, --voice and --rate controls, and Azure authentication (Microsoft Entra ID recommended, or a key).

Reuse Bridge

This skill is intentionally designed to fit into the existing media workflow:

  • tts-voiceover provides the narration WAV files that this skill muxes into the final output; prefer its Azure AI Speech neural voices for production-quality narration

  • vscode-playwright provides the frame-capture source for prototype walkthroughs and screen-based demos

Prerequisites

FFmpeg and ffprobe must be available on your PATH.

Linux
sudo apt update && sudo apt install ffmpeg
macOS
brew install ffmpeg
Windows
winget install FFmpeg.FFmpeg

Files

scripts/assemble_video.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3
# Copyright (c) 2026 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
"""Assemble ordered visual segments with narration into an MP4 via FFmpeg.

This script reads a YAML manifest describing ordered visual segments (still
images or motion clips) and matching narration WAV files. Each segment is
normalized into a short clip with uncompressed audio, then joined into a final
output MP4 whose audio is encoded once.
"""

from __future__ import annotations

import argparse
import logging
import math
import os
import shutil
import subprocess
import sys
import tempfile
from pathlib import Path
from typing import Any

import yaml

EXIT_SUCCESS = 0
EXIT_FAILURE = 1
EXIT_ERROR = 2

DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 600
MAX_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 86400
# Segments keep PCM audio so AAC frame padding cannot accumulate across scenes;
# 48 kHz keeps the single final AAC frame pad near 21 ms.
FINAL_AUDIO_RATE = "48000"


class ManifestError(ValueError):
    """Raised for invalid or incomplete manifest definitions."""


def create_parser() -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
    """Create and configure the argument parser."""
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
        description="Assemble ordered visual segments and narration into an MP4"
    )
    parser.add_argument(
        "--manifest",
        type=Path,
        required=True,
        help="Path to the YAML manifest describing visual segments",
    )
    parser.add_argument(
        "--output",
        type=Path,
        help="Destination MP4 path (overrides manifest output when supplied)",
    )
    parser.add_argument(
        "--fps",
        type=int,
        help="Frame rate to use when rendering segments",
    )
    parser.add_argument(
        "--resolution",
        help="Output resolution in WIDTHxHEIGHT format, for example 1280x720",
    )
    parser.add_argument(
        "--timeout",
        type=int,
        default=DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
        help=(
            "Maximum seconds for each ffprobe or ffmpeg invocation "
            f"(1-{MAX_TIMEOUT_SECONDS}, default {DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_SECONDS})"
        ),
    )
    parser.add_argument(
        "-v",
        "--verbose",
        action="store_true",
        help="Enable verbose logging",
    )
    return parser


def configure_logging(verbose: bool = False) -> None:
    """Configure logging based on verbosity level."""
    level = logging.DEBUG if verbose else logging.INFO
    logging.basicConfig(level=level, format="%(levelname)s: %(message)s")


def _require_command(command: str) -> str:
    """Return an available executable path or raise a clear error."""
    override = os.environ.get(f"{command.upper()}_COMMAND")
    resolved = shutil.which(override or command)
    if resolved is None:
        requested = override or command
        raise ManifestError(f"Required executable '{requested}' was not found on PATH")
    return resolved


def _read_manifest(path: Path) -> dict[str, Any]:
    """Read and parse the manifest file."""
    if not path.is_file():
        raise ManifestError(f"Manifest not found: {path}")

    try:
        with path.open("r", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
            data = yaml.safe_load(handle) or {}
    except yaml.YAMLError as exc:  # pragma: no cover - defensive branch
        raise ManifestError(f"Unable to parse YAML manifest {path}: {exc}") from exc

    if not isinstance(data, dict):
        raise ManifestError("Manifest root must be a YAML mapping")
    return data


def _validate_manifest(
    data: dict[str, Any],
) -> tuple[dict[str, Any], list[dict[str, Any]]]:
    """Validate manifest structure and return normalized values."""
    allowed_top_level_keys = {
        "output",
        "resolution",
        "fps",
        "transition",
        "segments",
    }
    unexpected_top_level = set(data) - allowed_top_level_keys
    if unexpected_top_level:
        unexpected = ", ".join(sorted(str(key) for key in unexpected_top_level))
        raise ManifestError(
            f"Manifest contains unsupported top-level keys: {unexpected}"
        )

    segments = data.get("segments")
    if not isinstance(segments, list) or not segments:
        raise ManifestError("Manifest must define a non-empty 'segments' list")

    normalized_segments: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
    for index, item in enumerate(segments, start=1):
        if not isinstance(item, dict):
            raise ManifestError(f"Segment #{index} must be a YAML mapping")

        allowed_segment_keys = {
            "type",
            "visual",
            "clip",
            "narration",
            "narration_wav",
            "duration",
        }
        unexpected_segment_keys = set(item) - allowed_segment_keys
        if unexpected_segment_keys:
            unexpected = ", ".join(sorted(str(key) for key in unexpected_segment_keys))
            raise ManifestError(
                f"Segment #{index} contains unsupported keys: {unexpected}"
            )

        segment_type = item.get("type")
        if segment_type is not None:
            segment_type = str(segment_type).strip().lower()
            if segment_type not in {"frame", "clip"}:
                raise ManifestError(
                    f"Segment #{index} has unsupported 'type': {segment_type}"
                )

        has_visual = "visual" in item and item["visual"] not in {None, ""}
        has_clip = "clip" in item and item["clip"] not in {None, ""}
        if has_visual == has_clip:
            raise ManifestError(
                f"Segment #{index} must define exactly one of 'visual' or 'clip'"
            )

        inferred_type = "frame" if has_visual else "clip"
        if segment_type is None:
            segment_type = inferred_type
        elif segment_type != inferred_type:
            provided_source = "visual" if has_visual else "clip"
            raise ManifestError(
                f"Segment #{index} declares type '{segment_type}' but provides a "
                f"'{provided_source}' source"
            )

        narration_value = item.get("narration")
        if narration_value is None and "narration_wav" in item:
            narration_value = item.get("narration_wav")
        if not isinstance(narration_value, str) or not narration_value.strip():
            raise ManifestError(
                f"Segment #{index} must define a non-empty 'narration' path"
            )

        duration_value = item.get("duration")
        if duration_value is not None:
            try:
                duration = float(duration_value)
            except (TypeError, ValueError) as exc:
                raise ManifestError(
                    f"Segment #{index} has an invalid 'duration': {duration_value}"
                ) from exc
            if duration <= 0:
                raise ManifestError(f"Segment #{index} has a non-positive 'duration'")
        else:
            duration = None

        normalized_segments.append(
            {
                "type": segment_type,
                "visual": str(item["visual"]) if has_visual else None,
                "clip": str(item["clip"]) if has_clip else None,
                "narration": str(narration_value),
                "duration": duration,
            }
        )

    output_value = data.get("output")
    if output_value is not None and not isinstance(output_value, str):
        raise ManifestError("Manifest 'output' must be a string path")

    resolution_value = data.get("resolution")
    if resolution_value is not None:
        if not isinstance(resolution_value, str):
            raise ManifestError(
                "Manifest 'resolution' must be a string in WIDTHxHEIGHT form"
            )
        _validate_resolution(resolution_value)

    fps_value = data.get("fps")
    if fps_value is not None:
        try:
            fps = int(fps_value)
        except (TypeError, ValueError) as exc:
            raise ManifestError("Manifest 'fps' must be an integer") from exc
        if fps <= 0:
            raise ManifestError("Manifest 'fps' must be greater than zero")
    else:
        fps = None

    transition = _validate_transition(data.get("transition"))

    return {
        "output": output_value,
        "resolution": resolution_value,
        "fps": fps,
        "transition": transition,
        "segments": normalized_segments,
    }, normalized_segments


def _validate_transition(value: Any) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
    """Validate and normalize the optional scene-transition configuration."""
    if value is None or value == "none":
        return None
    if not isinstance(value, dict):
        raise ManifestError("Manifest 'transition' must be a mapping or 'none'")
    allowed_keys = {"type", "duration", "fade_in", "fade_out"}
    unexpected = set(value) - allowed_keys
    if unexpected:
        keys = ", ".join(sorted(str(key) for key in unexpected))
        raise ManifestError(f"Transition contains unsupported keys: {keys}")
    transition_type = str(value.get("type", "crossfade")).strip().lower()
    if transition_type not in {"crossfade", "fade"}:
        raise ManifestError(f"Unsupported transition type: {transition_type}")
    try:
        duration = float(value.get("duration", 0.5))
    except (TypeError, ValueError) as exc:
        raise ManifestError("Transition duration must be a number") from exc
    if not math.isfinite(duration) or duration <= 0:
        raise ManifestError("Transition duration must be a positive finite number")
    fade_in = value.get("fade_in", True)
    fade_out = value.get("fade_out", True)
    if not isinstance(fade_in, bool) or not isinstance(fade_out, bool):
        raise ManifestError("Transition fade_in and fade_out must be booleans")
    return {
        "type": "crossfade",
        "duration": duration,
        "fade_in": fade_in,
        "fade_out": fade_out,
    }


def _validate_resolution(resolution: str) -> None:
    """Validate that the resolution is in WIDTHxHEIGHT format."""
    if "x" not in resolution.lower():
        raise ManifestError("Resolution must be in WIDTHxHEIGHT format")
    width_str, height_str = resolution.lower().split("x", 1)
    try:
        width = int(width_str)
        height = int(height_str)
    except ValueError as exc:
        raise ManifestError("Resolution must use integer pixel values") from exc
    if width <= 0 or height <= 0:
        raise ManifestError("Resolution values must be greater than zero")


def _resolve_path(path_value: str, *, base_dir: Path) -> Path:
    """Resolve a path relative to the supplied base directory."""
    candidate = Path(path_value)
    if candidate.is_absolute():
        return candidate.resolve()
    return (base_dir / candidate).resolve()


def _run_bounded(
    command: list[str], *, timeout: int, step: str
) -> subprocess.CompletedProcess[str]:
    """Run a command with captured text output under a wall-clock timeout.

    ``subprocess.run`` kills the child when the timeout expires or when any
    exception, including ``KeyboardInterrupt``, interrupts the wait.
    """
    try:
        return subprocess.run(
            command, capture_output=True, text=True, check=False, timeout=timeout
        )
    except subprocess.TimeoutExpired as exc:
        raise ManifestError(f"{step} timed out after {timeout} seconds") from exc


def _probe_duration(
    audio_path: Path, *, timeout: int = DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_SECONDS
) -> float:
    """Get the duration of a WAV file via ffprobe."""
    ffprobe = _require_command("ffprobe")
    command = [
        ffprobe,
        "-v",
        "error",
        "-show_entries",
        "format=duration",
        "-of",
        "default=noprint_wrappers=1:nokey=1",
        str(audio_path),
    ]
    result = _run_bounded(
        command, timeout=timeout, step=f"ffprobe for {audio_path.name}"
    )
    if result.returncode != 0:
        raise ManifestError(
            "Unable to determine narration duration for "
            f"{audio_path}: {result.stderr.strip()}"
        )
    try:
        duration = float(result.stdout.strip())
    except ValueError as exc:
        raise ManifestError(
            "Unable to parse ffprobe duration for "
            f"{audio_path}: {result.stdout.strip()}"
        ) from exc
    if duration <= 0:
        raise ManifestError(f"Narration duration must be positive for {audio_path}")
    return duration


def _build_filter_string(resolution: str, fps: int) -> str:
    """Build the FFmpeg video filter string for scaling and frame rate."""
    return f"scale={resolution},fps={fps}"


def _render_segment(
    *,
    segment: dict[str, Any],
    output_path: Path,
    resolution: str,
    fps: int,
    ffmpeg_path: str,
    timeout: int = DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
) -> None:
    """Render a single segment to a normalized MP4 file."""
    visual_source = segment.get("visual")
    clip_source = segment.get("clip")
    narration_path = Path(segment["narration"])
    duration = segment["duration"]
    lead = segment.get("lead", 0.0)
    tail = segment.get("tail", 0.0)
    rendered_duration = duration + lead + tail
    video_filter = _build_filter_string(resolution, fps)
    if lead or tail:
        video_filter += (
            f",trim=duration={duration},setpts=PTS-STARTPTS,"
            f"tpad=start_duration={lead}:stop_duration={tail}:"
            "start_mode=clone:stop_mode=clone"
        )

    if visual_source is not None:
        command = [
            ffmpeg_path,
            "-y",
            "-loop",
            "1",
            "-i",
            str(visual_source),
            "-i",
            str(narration_path),
            "-c:v",
            "libx264",
            "-tune",
            "stillimage",
            "-pix_fmt",
            "yuv420p",
            "-vf",
            video_filter,
            "-c:a",
            "pcm_s16le",
            "-shortest",
            "-t",
            f"{rendered_duration}",
            str(output_path),
        ]
    else:
        command = [
            ffmpeg_path,
            "-y",
            "-stream_loop",
            "-1",
            "-i",
            str(clip_source),
            "-i",
            str(narration_path),
            "-map",
            "0:v:0",
            "-map",
            "1:a:0",
            "-c:v",
            "libx264",
            "-pix_fmt",
            "yuv420p",
            "-vf",
            video_filter,
            "-c:a",
            "pcm_s16le",
            "-t",
            f"{rendered_duration}",
            str(output_path),
        ]

    if lead or tail:
        command[-1:-1] = [
            "-af",
            f"atrim=duration={duration},asetpts=PTS-STARTPTS,"
            + f"adelay={round(lead * 1000)}:all=1,apad,"
            + f"atrim=duration={rendered_duration}",
        ]
    _run_ffmpeg(command, timeout=timeout, step=f"FFmpeg render of {output_path.name}")


def _run_ffmpeg(
    command: list[str],
    *,
    timeout: int = DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
    step: str = "FFmpeg command",
) -> None:
    """Run an FFmpeg command and raise a clear error on failure."""
    logging.debug("Running FFmpeg: %s", " ".join(command))
    result = _run_bounded(command, timeout=timeout, step=step)
    if result.returncode != 0:
        stderr = (
            result.stderr.strip() or result.stdout.strip() or "unknown FFmpeg error"
        )
        joined_command = " ".join(command)
        raise ManifestError(f"FFmpeg command failed: {joined_command}\n{stderr}")


def _concat_entry(path: Path) -> str:
    """Return a concat demuxer ``file`` line with FFmpeg single-quote escaping."""
    escaped = path.as_posix().replace("'", "'\\''")
    return f"file '{escaped}'"


def _transition_filter(
    durations: list[float], transition: dict[str, Any]
) -> tuple[str, str, str]:
    """Return filter graph and final video/audio labels for smooth transitions."""
    if len(durations) == 1 and not transition["fade_in"] and not transition["fade_out"]:
        return "", "0:v:0", "0:a:0"
    duration = float(transition["duration"])
    if any(segment_duration <= duration * 2 for segment_duration in durations):
        raise ManifestError(
            "Each segment must be longer than twice the transition duration"
        )
    filters: list[str] = []
    video_label = "0:v:0"
    audio_label = "0:a:0"
    if transition["fade_in"]:
        filters.extend(
            [
                f"[{video_label}]fade=t=in:st=0:d={duration:g}[vin]",
                f"[{audio_label}]afade=t=in:st=0:d={duration:g}[ain]",
            ]
        )
        video_label = "vin"
        audio_label = "ain"

    for index in range(1, len(durations)):
        offset = sum(durations[:index]) - duration * index
        filters.extend(
            [
                f"[{video_label}][{index}:v:0]xfade=transition=fade:"
                f"duration={duration:g}:offset={offset:g}[vx{index}]",
                f"[{audio_label}][{index}:a:0]acrossfade=d={duration:g}:"
                f"c1=tri:c2=tri[ax{index}]",
            ]
        )
        video_label = f"vx{index}"
        audio_label = f"ax{index}"

    final_duration = sum(durations) - duration * (len(durations) - 1)
    if transition["fade_out"]:
        fade_start = final_duration - duration
        filters.extend(
            [
                f"[{video_label}]fade=t=out:st={fade_start:g}:d={duration:g}[vout]",
                f"[{audio_label}]afade=t=out:st={fade_start:g}:d={duration:g}[aout]",
            ]
        )
        video_label = "vout"
        audio_label = "aout"

    return ";".join(filters), video_label, audio_label


def assemble_video(
    *,
    manifest_path: Path,
    output_path: Path | None,
    fps: int | None,
    resolution: str | None,
    timeout: int = DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_SECONDS,
) -> Path:
    """Assemble the final MP4 from the manifest.

    The concatenated file is written inside the temporary directory and moved
    to ``output_path`` only after FFmpeg succeeds, so a failed or interrupted
    run never leaves a partial file and keeps any existing output unchanged.
    """
    if not 1 <= timeout <= MAX_TIMEOUT_SECONDS:
        raise ManifestError(
            f"Timeout must be between 1 and {MAX_TIMEOUT_SECONDS} seconds, "
            f"got {timeout}"
        )

    ffmpeg_path = _require_command("ffmpeg")

    manifest_data = _read_manifest(manifest_path)
    config, segments = _validate_manifest(manifest_data)

    manifest_dir = manifest_path.parent.resolve()
    output_config = config.get("output")
    if output_path is None:
        if output_config is None or not str(output_config).strip():
            raise ManifestError(
                "No output path was provided and manifest had no 'output' value"
            )
        output_path = _resolve_path(str(output_config), base_dir=manifest_dir)
    else:
        output_path = output_path.resolve()

    selected_fps = int(fps if fps is not None else config.get("fps") or 24)
    if selected_fps <= 0:
        raise ManifestError(f"Frame rate must be greater than zero, got {selected_fps}")
    selected_resolution = resolution or config.get("resolution") or "1280x720"
    _validate_resolution(selected_resolution)

    output_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

    normalized_paths: list[Path] = []
    segment_durations: list[float] = []
    transition = config.get("transition")
    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(
        prefix="demo-video-", dir=str(output_path.parent)
    ) as temp_dir_name:
        temp_dir = Path(temp_dir_name)

        for index, segment in enumerate(segments, start=1):
            visual_source = segment.get("visual")
            clip_source = segment.get("clip")
            narration_path = _resolve_path(segment["narration"], base_dir=manifest_dir)
            if not narration_path.is_file():
                raise ManifestError(f"Narration file not found: {narration_path}")

            if visual_source is not None:
                visual_path = _resolve_path(visual_source, base_dir=manifest_dir)
                if not visual_path.is_file():
                    raise ManifestError(f"Visual file not found: {visual_path}")
            else:
                clip_path = _resolve_path(clip_source, base_dir=manifest_dir)
                if not clip_path.is_file():
                    raise ManifestError(f"Clip file not found: {clip_path}")

            if segment.get("duration") is None:
                duration = _probe_duration(narration_path, timeout=timeout)
            else:
                duration = segment["duration"]
            logging.debug(
                "Rendering segment #%d (duration=%.3fs)", index, float(duration)
            )

            normalized_path = temp_dir / f"segment-{index:02d}.mkv"
            segment_data = dict(segment)
            segment_data["narration"] = str(narration_path)
            segment_data["duration"] = duration
            lead = tail = 0.0
            if transition:
                handle = float(transition["duration"])
                lead = handle if index > 1 or transition["fade_in"] else 0.0
                tail = (
                    handle if index < len(segments) or transition["fade_out"] else 0.0
                )
            segment_data["lead"] = lead
            segment_data["tail"] = tail
            if visual_source is not None:
                segment_data["visual"] = str(visual_path)
            else:
                segment_data["clip"] = str(clip_path)

            _render_segment(
                segment=segment_data,
                output_path=normalized_path,
                resolution=selected_resolution,
                fps=int(selected_fps),
                ffmpeg_path=ffmpeg_path,
                timeout=timeout,
            )
            normalized_paths.append(normalized_path)
            segment_durations.append(float(duration) + lead + tail)

        staged_output = temp_dir / f"assembled{output_path.suffix or '.mp4'}"
        transition = config.get("transition")
        if transition:
            filter_graph, video_label, audio_label = _transition_filter(
                segment_durations, transition
            )
            transition_command = [ffmpeg_path, "-y"]
            for normalized_path in normalized_paths:
                transition_command.extend(["-i", str(normalized_path)])
            if filter_graph:
                transition_command.extend(
                    [
                        "-filter_complex",
                        filter_graph,
                        "-map",
                        f"[{video_label}]",
                        "-map",
                        f"[{audio_label}]",
                    ]
                )
            else:
                transition_command.extend(["-map", video_label, "-map", audio_label])
            transition_command.extend(
                [
                    "-c:v",
                    "libx264",
                    "-pix_fmt",
                    "yuv420p",
                    "-c:a",
                    "aac",
                    "-ar",
                    FINAL_AUDIO_RATE,
                    "-b:a",
                    "192k",
                    "-movflags",
                    "+faststart",
                    str(staged_output),
                ]
            )
            _run_ffmpeg(transition_command, timeout=timeout, step="FFmpeg transitions")
        else:
            concat_list_path = temp_dir / "concat.txt"
            with concat_list_path.open("w", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
                for normalized_path in normalized_paths:
                    handle.write(_concat_entry(normalized_path) + "\n")
            concat_command = [
                ffmpeg_path,
                "-y",
                "-f",
                "concat",
                "-safe",
                "0",
                "-i",
                str(concat_list_path),
                "-c:v",
                "copy",
                "-c:a",
                "aac",
                "-ar",
                FINAL_AUDIO_RATE,
                "-b:a",
                "192k",
                str(staged_output),
            ]
            _run_ffmpeg(concat_command, timeout=timeout, step="FFmpeg concat")
        if not staged_output.is_file():
            raise ManifestError("FFmpeg concat reported success but wrote no output")
        os.replace(staged_output, output_path)

    return output_path.resolve()


def main() -> int:
    """Run the assembly process and exit with a suitable code."""
    parser = create_parser()
    args = parser.parse_args()
    configure_logging(args.verbose)

    try:
        output_path = assemble_video(
            manifest_path=args.manifest.resolve(),
            output_path=args.output,
            fps=args.fps,
            resolution=args.resolution,
            timeout=args.timeout,
        )
    except KeyboardInterrupt:
        print("Interrupted by user", file=sys.stderr)
        return 130
    except ManifestError as exc:
        print(f"Error: {exc}", file=sys.stderr)
        return EXIT_ERROR
    except FileNotFoundError as exc:
        print(f"Error: {exc}", file=sys.stderr)
        return EXIT_FAILURE
    except Exception as exc:  # pragma: no cover - defensive top-level fallback
        print(f"Error: {exc}", file=sys.stderr)
        return EXIT_FAILURE

    print(output_path.resolve())
    return EXIT_SUCCESS


if __name__ == "__main__":
    sys.exit(main())

Requirements and compatibility

Written for: GitHub Copilot

Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta

“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.

Needs: Needs a command-line tool, Needs Python

The author says: Requires FFmpeg on PATH

Security

What our scanner noticed· Low risk

  • Scripts that your agent may run

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Attribution and licence

Published by
Microsoft
Publisher
Microsoft (Official)
Source
microsoft/hve-core · .github/skills/experimental/demo-video · commit f425e94
Licence
MIT License (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
Synced

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Download ZIP

The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download demo-video.zip