vhs
Creates terminal screenshots and GIFs using VHS tape files. Use when automating terminal recordings, capturing TUI screenshots, or generating demo GIFs.
Install
npx skillscat add knoopx/pi/vhs Install via the SkillsCat registry.
SKILL.md
VHS
Terminal recorder from Charm that creates GIFs/PNGs from scripted interactions.
Run
nix run nixpkgs#vhs -- <file>.tapeTape File Syntax
Output output.gif # or .png, .mp4, .webm
Set Shell "bash"
Set FontSize 14
Set Width 1200
Set Height 600
Set Theme "Catppuccin Mocha"
Hide # Hide commands from output
Type "echo hello"
Enter
Sleep 1s
Show # Show commands again
Screenshot output.png # Capture current frameCommands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
Type "text" |
Type text |
Enter, Tab, Escape, Space |
Press key |
Ctrl+x, Alt+x |
Key combo |
Up, Down, Left, Right |
Arrow keys |
Sleep 1s |
Wait (ms, s) |
Screenshot file.png |
Capture frame |
Hide / Show |
Toggle visibility |
Settings
| Setting | Example |
|---|---|
Set Shell "bash" |
Shell to use |
Set FontSize 14 |
Font size |
Set Width 1200 |
Terminal width |
Set Height 600 |
Terminal height |
Set Theme "Catppuccin Mocha" |
Color theme |
Set Padding 20 |
Window padding |
Set WindowBar Colorful |
Window decorations |
Example: TUI Screenshot
Output screenshots/demo.png
Set Shell "bash"
Set FontSize 14
Set Width 1400
Set Height 800
Set Theme "Catppuccin Mocha"
Hide
Type "cd /path/to/project && my-tui-app"
Enter
Sleep 2s
Show
Ctrl+p
Sleep 1s
Screenshot screenshots/demo.png
Escape
Type "q"
EnterList Themes
nix run nixpkgs#vhs -- themesInstall
npx skillscat add knoopx/pi/vhs Install via the SkillsCat registry.