codeply-cli 0.3.1 → 0.4.0

package/skills/videodb/SKILL.md

@@ -1,375 +1,375 @@
----
-name: videodb
-description: See, Understand, Act on video and audio. See- ingest from local files, URLs, RTSP/live feeds, or live record desktop; return realtime context and playable stream links. Understand- extract frames, build visual/semantic/temporal indexes, and search moments with timestamps and auto-clips. Act- transcode and normalize (codec, fps, resolution, aspect ratio), perform timeline edits (subtitles, text/image overlays, branding, audio overlays, dubbing, translation), generate media assets (image, audio, video), and create real time alerts for events from live streams or desktop capture.
-metadata:
-  origin: ECC
-allowed-tools: Read Grep Glob Bash(python:*)
-argument-hint: "[task description]"
----
-
-# VideoDB Skill
-
-**Perception + memory + actions for video, live streams, and desktop sessions.**
-
-## When to use
-
-### Desktop Perception
-- Start/stop a **desktop session** capturing **screen, mic, and system audio**
-- Stream **live context** and store **episodic session memory**
-- Run **real-time alerts/triggers** on what's spoken and what's happening on screen
-- Produce **session summaries**, a searchable timeline, and **playable evidence links**
-
-### Video ingest + stream
-- Ingest a **file or URL** and return a **playable web stream link**
-- Transcode/normalize: **codec, bitrate, fps, resolution, aspect ratio**
-
-### Index + search (timestamps + evidence)
-- Build **visual**, **spoken**, and **keyword** indexes
-- Search and return exact moments with **timestamps** and **playable evidence**
-- Auto-create **clips** from search results
-
-### Timeline editing + generation
-- Subtitles: **generate**, **translate**, **burn-in**
-- Overlays: **text/image/branding**, motion captions
-- Audio: **background music**, **voiceover**, **dubbing**
-- Programmatic composition and exports via **timeline operations**
-
-### Live streams (RTSP) + monitoring
-- Connect **RTSP/live feeds**
-- Run **real-time visual and spoken understanding** and emit **events/alerts** for monitoring workflows
-
-## How it works
-
-### Common inputs
-- Local **file path**, public **URL**, or **RTSP URL**
-- Desktop capture request: **start / stop / summarize session**
-- Desired operations: get context for understanding, transcode spec, index spec, search query, clip ranges, timeline edits, alert rules
-
-### Common outputs
-- **Stream URL**
-- Search results with **timestamps** and **evidence links**
-- Generated assets: subtitles, audio, images, clips
-- **Event/alert payloads** for live streams
-- Desktop **session summaries** and memory entries
-
-### Running Python code
-
-Before running any VideoDB code, change to the project directory and load environment variables:
-
-```python
-from dotenv import load_dotenv
-load_dotenv(".env")
-
-import videodb
-conn = videodb.connect()
-```
-
-This reads `VIDEO_DB_API_KEY` from:
-1. Environment (if already exported)
-2. Project's `.env` file in current directory
-
-If the key is missing, `videodb.connect()` raises `AuthenticationError` automatically.
-
-Do NOT write a script file when a short inline command works.
-
-When writing inline Python (`python -c "..."`), always use properly formatted code — use semicolons to separate statements and keep it readable. For anything longer than ~3 statements, use a heredoc instead:
-
-```bash
-python << 'EOF'
-from dotenv import load_dotenv
-load_dotenv(".env")
-
-import videodb
-conn = videodb.connect()
-coll = conn.get_collection()
-print(f"Videos: {len(coll.get_videos())}")
-EOF
-```
-
-### Setup
-
-When the user asks to "setup videodb" or similar:
-
-### 1. Install SDK
-
-```bash
-pip install "videodb[capture]" python-dotenv
-```
-
-If `videodb[capture]` fails on Linux, install without the capture extra:
-
-```bash
-pip install videodb python-dotenv
-```
-
-### 2. Configure API key
-
-The user must set `VIDEO_DB_API_KEY` using **either** method:
-
-- **Export in terminal** (before starting Claude): `export VIDEO_DB_API_KEY=your-key`
-- **Project `.env` file**: Save `VIDEO_DB_API_KEY=your-key` in the project's `.env` file
-
-Get a free API key at [console.videodb.io](https://console.videodb.io) (50 free uploads, no credit card).
-
-**Do NOT** read, write, or handle the API key yourself. Always let the user set it.
-
-### Quick Reference
-
-### Upload media
-
-```python
-# URL
-video = coll.upload(url="https://example.com/video.mp4")
-
-# YouTube
-video = coll.upload(url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID")
-
-# Local file
-video = coll.upload(file_path="/path/to/video.mp4")
-```
-
-### Transcript + subtitle
-
-```python
-# force=True skips the error if the video is already indexed
-video.index_spoken_words(force=True)
-text = video.get_transcript_text()
-stream_url = video.add_subtitle()
-```
-
-### Search inside videos
-
-```python
-from videodb.exceptions import InvalidRequestError
-
-video.index_spoken_words(force=True)
-
-# search() raises InvalidRequestError when no results are found.
-# Always wrap in try/except and treat "No results found" as empty.
-try:
-    results = video.search("product demo")
-    shots = results.get_shots()
-    stream_url = results.compile()
-except InvalidRequestError as e:
-    if "No results found" in str(e):
-        shots = []
-    else:
-        raise
-```
-
-### Scene search
-
-```python
-import re
-from videodb import SearchType, IndexType, SceneExtractionType
-from videodb.exceptions import InvalidRequestError
-
-# index_scenes() has no force parameter — it raises an error if a scene
-# index already exists. Extract the existing index ID from the error.
-try:
-    scene_index_id = video.index_scenes(
-        extraction_type=SceneExtractionType.shot_based,
-        prompt="Describe the visual content in this scene.",
-    )
-except Exception as e:
-    match = re.search(r"id\s+([a-f0-9]+)", str(e))
-    if match:
-        scene_index_id = match.group(1)
-    else:
-        raise
-
-# Use score_threshold to filter low-relevance noise (recommended: 0.3+)
-try:
-    results = video.search(
-        query="person writing on a whiteboard",
-        search_type=SearchType.semantic,
-        index_type=IndexType.scene,
-        scene_index_id=scene_index_id,
-        score_threshold=0.3,
-    )
-    shots = results.get_shots()
-    stream_url = results.compile()
-except InvalidRequestError as e:
-    if "No results found" in str(e):
-        shots = []
-    else:
-        raise
-```
-
-### Timeline editing
-
-**Important:** Always validate timestamps before building a timeline:
-- `start` must be >= 0 (negative values are silently accepted but produce broken output)
-- `start` must be < `end`
-- `end` must be <= `video.length`
-
-```python
-from videodb.timeline import Timeline
-from videodb.asset import VideoAsset, TextAsset, TextStyle
-
-timeline = Timeline(conn)
-timeline.add_inline(VideoAsset(asset_id=video.id, start=10, end=30))
-timeline.add_overlay(0, TextAsset(text="The End", duration=3, style=TextStyle(fontsize=36)))
-stream_url = timeline.generate_stream()
-```
-
-### Transcode video (resolution / quality change)
-
-```python
-from videodb import TranscodeMode, VideoConfig, AudioConfig
-
-# Change resolution, quality, or aspect ratio server-side
-job_id = conn.transcode(
-    source="https://example.com/video.mp4",
-    callback_url="https://example.com/webhook",
-    mode=TranscodeMode.economy,
-    video_config=VideoConfig(resolution=720, quality=23, aspect_ratio="16:9"),
-    audio_config=AudioConfig(mute=False),
-)
-```
-
-### Reframe aspect ratio (for social platforms)
-
-**Warning:** `reframe()` is a slow server-side operation. For long videos it can take
-several minutes and may time out. Best practices:
-- Always limit to a short segment using `start`/`end` when possible
-- For full-length videos, use `callback_url` for async processing
-- Trim the video on a `Timeline` first, then reframe the shorter result
-
-```python
-from videodb import ReframeMode
-
-# Always prefer reframing a short segment:
-reframed = video.reframe(start=0, end=60, target="vertical", mode=ReframeMode.smart)
-
-# Async reframe for full-length videos (returns None, result via webhook):
-video.reframe(target="vertical", callback_url="https://example.com/webhook")
-
-# Presets: "vertical" (9:16), "square" (1:1), "landscape" (16:9)
-reframed = video.reframe(start=0, end=60, target="square")
-
-# Custom dimensions
-reframed = video.reframe(start=0, end=60, target={"width": 1280, "height": 720})
-```
-
-### Generative media
-
-```python
-image = coll.generate_image(
-    prompt="a sunset over mountains",
-    aspect_ratio="16:9",
-)
-```
-
-## Error handling
-
-```python
-from videodb.exceptions import AuthenticationError, InvalidRequestError
-
-try:
-    conn = videodb.connect()
-except AuthenticationError:
-    print("Check your VIDEO_DB_API_KEY")
-
-try:
-    video = coll.upload(url="https://example.com/video.mp4")
-except InvalidRequestError as e:
-    print(f"Upload failed: {e}")
-```
-
-### Common pitfalls
-
-| Scenario | Error message | Solution |
-|----------|--------------|----------|
-| Indexing an already-indexed video | `Spoken word index for video already exists` | Use `video.index_spoken_words(force=True)` to skip if already indexed |
-| Scene index already exists | `Scene index with id XXXX already exists` | Extract the existing `scene_index_id` from the error with `re.search(r"id\s+([a-f0-9]+)", str(e))` |
-| Search finds no matches | `InvalidRequestError: No results found` | Catch the exception and treat as empty results (`shots = []`) |
-| Reframe times out | Blocks indefinitely on long videos | Use `start`/`end` to limit segment, or pass `callback_url` for async |
-| Negative timestamps on Timeline | Silently produces broken stream | Always validate `start >= 0` before creating `VideoAsset` |
-| `generate_video()` / `create_collection()` fails | `Operation not allowed` or `maximum limit` | Plan-gated features — inform the user about plan limits |
-
-## Examples
-
-### Canonical prompts
-- "Start desktop capture and alert when a password field appears."
-- "Record my session and produce an actionable summary when it ends."
-- "Ingest this file and return a playable stream link."
-- "Index this folder and find every scene with people, return timestamps."
-- "Generate subtitles, burn them in, and add light background music."
-- "Connect this RTSP URL and alert when a person enters the zone."
-
-### Screen Recording (Desktop Capture)
-
-Use `ws_listener.py` to capture WebSocket events during recording sessions. Desktop capture supports **macOS** only.
-
-#### Quick Start
-
-1. **Choose state dir**: `STATE_DIR="${VIDEODB_EVENTS_DIR:-$HOME/.local/state/videodb}"`
-2. **Start listener**: `VIDEODB_EVENTS_DIR="$STATE_DIR" python scripts/ws_listener.py --clear "$STATE_DIR" &`
-3. **Get WebSocket ID**: `cat "$STATE_DIR/videodb_ws_id"`
-4. **Run capture code** (see reference/capture.md for the full workflow)
-5. **Events written to**: `$STATE_DIR/videodb_events.jsonl`
-
-Use `--clear` whenever you start a fresh capture run so stale transcript and visual events do not leak into the new session.
-
-#### Query Events
-
-```python
-import json
-import os
-import time
-from pathlib import Path
-
-events_dir = Path(os.environ.get("VIDEODB_EVENTS_DIR", Path.home() / ".local" / "state" / "videodb"))
-events_file = events_dir / "videodb_events.jsonl"
-events = []
-
-if events_file.exists():
-    with events_file.open(encoding="utf-8") as handle:
-        for line in handle:
-            try:
-                events.append(json.loads(line))
-            except json.JSONDecodeError:
-                continue
-
-transcripts = [e["data"]["text"] for e in events if e.get("channel") == "transcript"]
-cutoff = time.time() - 300
-recent_visual = [
-    e for e in events
-    if e.get("channel") == "visual_index" and e["unix_ts"] > cutoff
-]
-```
-
-## Additional docs
-
-Reference documentation is in the `reference/` directory adjacent to this SKILL.md file. Use the Glob tool to locate it if needed.
-
-- [reference/api-reference.md](reference/api-reference.md) - Complete VideoDB Python SDK API reference
-- [reference/search.md](reference/search.md) - In-depth guide to video search (spoken word and scene-based)
-- [reference/editor.md](reference/editor.md) - Timeline editing, assets, and composition
-- [reference/streaming.md](reference/streaming.md) - HLS streaming and instant playback
-- [reference/generative.md](reference/generative.md) - AI-powered media generation (images, video, audio)
-- [reference/rtstream.md](reference/rtstream.md) - Live stream ingestion workflow (RTSP/RTMP)
-- [reference/rtstream-reference.md](reference/rtstream-reference.md) - RTStream SDK methods and AI pipelines
-- [reference/capture.md](reference/capture.md) - Desktop capture workflow
-- [reference/capture-reference.md](reference/capture-reference.md) - Capture SDK and WebSocket events
-- [reference/use-cases.md](reference/use-cases.md) - Common video processing patterns and examples
-
-**Do not use ffmpeg, moviepy, or local encoding tools** when VideoDB supports the operation. The following are all handled server-side by VideoDB — trimming, combining clips, overlaying audio or music, adding subtitles, text/image overlays, transcoding, resolution changes, aspect-ratio conversion, resizing for platform requirements, transcription, and media generation. Only fall back to local tools for operations listed under Limitations in reference/editor.md (transitions, speed changes, crop/zoom, colour grading, volume mixing).
-
-### When to use what
-
-| Problem | VideoDB solution |
-|---------|-----------------|
-| Platform rejects video aspect ratio or resolution | `video.reframe()` or `conn.transcode()` with `VideoConfig` |
-| Need to resize video for Twitter/Instagram/TikTok | `video.reframe(target="vertical")` or `target="square"` |
-| Need to change resolution (e.g. 1080p → 720p) | `conn.transcode()` with `VideoConfig(resolution=720)` |
-| Need to overlay audio/music on video | `AudioAsset` on a `Timeline` |
-| Need to add subtitles | `video.add_subtitle()` or `CaptionAsset` |
-| Need to combine/trim clips | `VideoAsset` on a `Timeline` |
-| Need to generate voiceover, music, or SFX | `coll.generate_voice()`, `generate_music()`, `generate_sound_effect()` |
-
-## Provenance
-
-Reference material for this skill is vendored locally under `skills/videodb/reference/`.
-Use the local copies above instead of following external repository links at runtime.
+---
+name: videodb
+description: See, Understand, Act on video and audio. See- ingest from local files, URLs, RTSP/live feeds, or live record desktop; return realtime context and playable stream links. Understand- extract frames, build visual/semantic/temporal indexes, and search moments with timestamps and auto-clips. Act- transcode and normalize (codec, fps, resolution, aspect ratio), perform timeline edits (subtitles, text/image overlays, branding, audio overlays, dubbing, translation), generate media assets (image, audio, video), and create real time alerts for events from live streams or desktop capture.
+metadata:
+  origin: ECC
+allowed-tools: Read Grep Glob Bash(python:*)
+argument-hint: "[task description]"
+---
+
+# VideoDB Skill
+
+**Perception + memory + actions for video, live streams, and desktop sessions.**
+
+## When to use
+
+### Desktop Perception
+- Start/stop a **desktop session** capturing **screen, mic, and system audio**
+- Stream **live context** and store **episodic session memory**
+- Run **real-time alerts/triggers** on what's spoken and what's happening on screen
+- Produce **session summaries**, a searchable timeline, and **playable evidence links**
+
+### Video ingest + stream
+- Ingest a **file or URL** and return a **playable web stream link**
+- Transcode/normalize: **codec, bitrate, fps, resolution, aspect ratio**
+
+### Index + search (timestamps + evidence)
+- Build **visual**, **spoken**, and **keyword** indexes
+- Search and return exact moments with **timestamps** and **playable evidence**
+- Auto-create **clips** from search results
+
+### Timeline editing + generation
+- Subtitles: **generate**, **translate**, **burn-in**
+- Overlays: **text/image/branding**, motion captions
+- Audio: **background music**, **voiceover**, **dubbing**
+- Programmatic composition and exports via **timeline operations**
+
+### Live streams (RTSP) + monitoring
+- Connect **RTSP/live feeds**
+- Run **real-time visual and spoken understanding** and emit **events/alerts** for monitoring workflows
+
+## How it works
+
+### Common inputs
+- Local **file path**, public **URL**, or **RTSP URL**
+- Desktop capture request: **start / stop / summarize session**
+- Desired operations: get context for understanding, transcode spec, index spec, search query, clip ranges, timeline edits, alert rules
+
+### Common outputs
+- **Stream URL**
+- Search results with **timestamps** and **evidence links**
+- Generated assets: subtitles, audio, images, clips
+- **Event/alert payloads** for live streams
+- Desktop **session summaries** and memory entries
+
+### Running Python code
+
+Before running any VideoDB code, change to the project directory and load environment variables:
+
+```python
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+load_dotenv(".env")
+
+import videodb
+conn = videodb.connect()
+```
+
+This reads `VIDEO_DB_API_KEY` from:
+1. Environment (if already exported)
+2. Project's `.env` file in current directory
+
+If the key is missing, `videodb.connect()` raises `AuthenticationError` automatically.
+
+Do NOT write a script file when a short inline command works.
+
+When writing inline Python (`python -c "..."`), always use properly formatted code — use semicolons to separate statements and keep it readable. For anything longer than ~3 statements, use a heredoc instead:
+
+```bash
+python << 'EOF'
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+load_dotenv(".env")
+
+import videodb
+conn = videodb.connect()
+coll = conn.get_collection()
+print(f"Videos: {len(coll.get_videos())}")
+EOF
+```
+
+### Setup
+
+When the user asks to "setup videodb" or similar:
+
+### 1. Install SDK
+
+```bash
+pip install "videodb[capture]" python-dotenv
+```
+
+If `videodb[capture]` fails on Linux, install without the capture extra:
+
+```bash
+pip install videodb python-dotenv
+```
+
+### 2. Configure API key
+
+The user must set `VIDEO_DB_API_KEY` using **either** method:
+
+- **Export in terminal** (before starting Claude): `export VIDEO_DB_API_KEY=your-key`
+- **Project `.env` file**: Save `VIDEO_DB_API_KEY=your-key` in the project's `.env` file
+
+Get a free API key at [console.videodb.io](https://console.videodb.io) (50 free uploads, no credit card).
+
+**Do NOT** read, write, or handle the API key yourself. Always let the user set it.
+
+### Quick Reference
+
+### Upload media
+
+```python
+# URL
+video = coll.upload(url="https://example.com/video.mp4")
+
+# YouTube
+video = coll.upload(url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID")
+
+# Local file
+video = coll.upload(file_path="/path/to/video.mp4")
+```
+
+### Transcript + subtitle
+
+```python
+# force=True skips the error if the video is already indexed
+video.index_spoken_words(force=True)
+text = video.get_transcript_text()
+stream_url = video.add_subtitle()
+```
+
+### Search inside videos
+
+```python
+from videodb.exceptions import InvalidRequestError
+
+video.index_spoken_words(force=True)
+
+# search() raises InvalidRequestError when no results are found.
+# Always wrap in try/except and treat "No results found" as empty.
+try:
+    results = video.search("product demo")
+    shots = results.get_shots()
+    stream_url = results.compile()
+except InvalidRequestError as e:
+    if "No results found" in str(e):
+        shots = []
+    else:
+        raise
+```
+
+### Scene search
+
+```python
+import re
+from videodb import SearchType, IndexType, SceneExtractionType
+from videodb.exceptions import InvalidRequestError
+
+# index_scenes() has no force parameter — it raises an error if a scene
+# index already exists. Extract the existing index ID from the error.
+try:
+    scene_index_id = video.index_scenes(
+        extraction_type=SceneExtractionType.shot_based,
+        prompt="Describe the visual content in this scene.",
+    )
+except Exception as e:
+    match = re.search(r"id\s+([a-f0-9]+)", str(e))
+    if match:
+        scene_index_id = match.group(1)
+    else:
+        raise
+
+# Use score_threshold to filter low-relevance noise (recommended: 0.3+)
+try:
+    results = video.search(
+        query="person writing on a whiteboard",
+        search_type=SearchType.semantic,
+        index_type=IndexType.scene,
+        scene_index_id=scene_index_id,
+        score_threshold=0.3,
+    )
+    shots = results.get_shots()
+    stream_url = results.compile()
+except InvalidRequestError as e:
+    if "No results found" in str(e):
+        shots = []
+    else:
+        raise
+```
+
+### Timeline editing
+
+**Important:** Always validate timestamps before building a timeline:
+- `start` must be >= 0 (negative values are silently accepted but produce broken output)
+- `start` must be < `end`
+- `end` must be <= `video.length`
+
+```python
+from videodb.timeline import Timeline
+from videodb.asset import VideoAsset, TextAsset, TextStyle
+
+timeline = Timeline(conn)
+timeline.add_inline(VideoAsset(asset_id=video.id, start=10, end=30))
+timeline.add_overlay(0, TextAsset(text="The End", duration=3, style=TextStyle(fontsize=36)))
+stream_url = timeline.generate_stream()
+```
+
+### Transcode video (resolution / quality change)
+
+```python
+from videodb import TranscodeMode, VideoConfig, AudioConfig
+
+# Change resolution, quality, or aspect ratio server-side
+job_id = conn.transcode(
+    source="https://example.com/video.mp4",
+    callback_url="https://example.com/webhook",
+    mode=TranscodeMode.economy,
+    video_config=VideoConfig(resolution=720, quality=23, aspect_ratio="16:9"),
+    audio_config=AudioConfig(mute=False),
+)
+```
+
+### Reframe aspect ratio (for social platforms)
+
+**Warning:** `reframe()` is a slow server-side operation. For long videos it can take
+several minutes and may time out. Best practices:
+- Always limit to a short segment using `start`/`end` when possible
+- For full-length videos, use `callback_url` for async processing
+- Trim the video on a `Timeline` first, then reframe the shorter result
+
+```python
+from videodb import ReframeMode
+
+# Always prefer reframing a short segment:
+reframed = video.reframe(start=0, end=60, target="vertical", mode=ReframeMode.smart)
+
+# Async reframe for full-length videos (returns None, result via webhook):
+video.reframe(target="vertical", callback_url="https://example.com/webhook")
+
+# Presets: "vertical" (9:16), "square" (1:1), "landscape" (16:9)
+reframed = video.reframe(start=0, end=60, target="square")
+
+# Custom dimensions
+reframed = video.reframe(start=0, end=60, target={"width": 1280, "height": 720})
+```
+
+### Generative media
+
+```python
+image = coll.generate_image(
+    prompt="a sunset over mountains",
+    aspect_ratio="16:9",
+)
+```
+
+## Error handling
+
+```python
+from videodb.exceptions import AuthenticationError, InvalidRequestError
+
+try:
+    conn = videodb.connect()
+except AuthenticationError:
+    print("Check your VIDEO_DB_API_KEY")
+
+try:
+    video = coll.upload(url="https://example.com/video.mp4")
+except InvalidRequestError as e:
+    print(f"Upload failed: {e}")
+```
+
+### Common pitfalls
+
+| Scenario | Error message | Solution |
+|----------|--------------|----------|
+| Indexing an already-indexed video | `Spoken word index for video already exists` | Use `video.index_spoken_words(force=True)` to skip if already indexed |
+| Scene index already exists | `Scene index with id XXXX already exists` | Extract the existing `scene_index_id` from the error with `re.search(r"id\s+([a-f0-9]+)", str(e))` |
+| Search finds no matches | `InvalidRequestError: No results found` | Catch the exception and treat as empty results (`shots = []`) |
+| Reframe times out | Blocks indefinitely on long videos | Use `start`/`end` to limit segment, or pass `callback_url` for async |
+| Negative timestamps on Timeline | Silently produces broken stream | Always validate `start >= 0` before creating `VideoAsset` |
+| `generate_video()` / `create_collection()` fails | `Operation not allowed` or `maximum limit` | Plan-gated features — inform the user about plan limits |
+
+## Examples
+
+### Canonical prompts
+- "Start desktop capture and alert when a password field appears."
+- "Record my session and produce an actionable summary when it ends."
+- "Ingest this file and return a playable stream link."
+- "Index this folder and find every scene with people, return timestamps."
+- "Generate subtitles, burn them in, and add light background music."
+- "Connect this RTSP URL and alert when a person enters the zone."
+
+### Screen Recording (Desktop Capture)
+
+Use `ws_listener.py` to capture WebSocket events during recording sessions. Desktop capture supports **macOS** only.
+
+#### Quick Start
+
+1. **Choose state dir**: `STATE_DIR="${VIDEODB_EVENTS_DIR:-$HOME/.local/state/videodb}"`
+2. **Start listener**: `VIDEODB_EVENTS_DIR="$STATE_DIR" python scripts/ws_listener.py --clear "$STATE_DIR" &`
+3. **Get WebSocket ID**: `cat "$STATE_DIR/videodb_ws_id"`
+4. **Run capture code** (see reference/capture.md for the full workflow)
+5. **Events written to**: `$STATE_DIR/videodb_events.jsonl`
+
+Use `--clear` whenever you start a fresh capture run so stale transcript and visual events do not leak into the new session.
+
+#### Query Events
+
+```python
+import json
+import os
+import time
+from pathlib import Path
+
+events_dir = Path(os.environ.get("VIDEODB_EVENTS_DIR", Path.home() / ".local" / "state" / "videodb"))
+events_file = events_dir / "videodb_events.jsonl"
+events = []
+
+if events_file.exists():
+    with events_file.open(encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+        for line in handle:
+            try:
+                events.append(json.loads(line))
+            except json.JSONDecodeError:
+                continue
+
+transcripts = [e["data"]["text"] for e in events if e.get("channel") == "transcript"]
+cutoff = time.time() - 300
+recent_visual = [
+    e for e in events
+    if e.get("channel") == "visual_index" and e["unix_ts"] > cutoff
+]
+```
+
+## Additional docs
+
+Reference documentation is in the `reference/` directory adjacent to this SKILL.md file. Use the Glob tool to locate it if needed.
+
+- [reference/api-reference.md](reference/api-reference.md) - Complete VideoDB Python SDK API reference
+- [reference/search.md](reference/search.md) - In-depth guide to video search (spoken word and scene-based)
+- [reference/editor.md](reference/editor.md) - Timeline editing, assets, and composition
+- [reference/streaming.md](reference/streaming.md) - HLS streaming and instant playback
+- [reference/generative.md](reference/generative.md) - AI-powered media generation (images, video, audio)
+- [reference/rtstream.md](reference/rtstream.md) - Live stream ingestion workflow (RTSP/RTMP)
+- [reference/rtstream-reference.md](reference/rtstream-reference.md) - RTStream SDK methods and AI pipelines
+- [reference/capture.md](reference/capture.md) - Desktop capture workflow
+- [reference/capture-reference.md](reference/capture-reference.md) - Capture SDK and WebSocket events
+- [reference/use-cases.md](reference/use-cases.md) - Common video processing patterns and examples
+
+**Do not use ffmpeg, moviepy, or local encoding tools** when VideoDB supports the operation. The following are all handled server-side by VideoDB — trimming, combining clips, overlaying audio or music, adding subtitles, text/image overlays, transcoding, resolution changes, aspect-ratio conversion, resizing for platform requirements, transcription, and media generation. Only fall back to local tools for operations listed under Limitations in reference/editor.md (transitions, speed changes, crop/zoom, colour grading, volume mixing).
+
+### When to use what
+
+| Problem | VideoDB solution |
+|---------|-----------------|
+| Platform rejects video aspect ratio or resolution | `video.reframe()` or `conn.transcode()` with `VideoConfig` |
+| Need to resize video for Twitter/Instagram/TikTok | `video.reframe(target="vertical")` or `target="square"` |
+| Need to change resolution (e.g. 1080p → 720p) | `conn.transcode()` with `VideoConfig(resolution=720)` |
+| Need to overlay audio/music on video | `AudioAsset` on a `Timeline` |
+| Need to add subtitles | `video.add_subtitle()` or `CaptionAsset` |
+| Need to combine/trim clips | `VideoAsset` on a `Timeline` |
+| Need to generate voiceover, music, or SFX | `coll.generate_voice()`, `generate_music()`, `generate_sound_effect()` |
+
+## Provenance
+
+Reference material for this skill is vendored locally under `skills/videodb/reference/`.
+Use the local copies above instead of following external repository links at runtime.