ClipAsm

ClipAsm turns a small text program into a video. You describe sources and edits, check the program without opening media, and render an MP4 with FFmpeg.

ClipAsm is pre-release software. The language and command line may change as maintainers simplify the project.

Learn ClipAsm in order

After setup, the learning chapters follow one evolving project. Each chapter starts from the previous checkpoint. It introduces an idea only when the edit needs it. Each chapter ends with a valid result that you can inspect. This path teaches ClipAsm’s core video-composition workflow.

1. Get ClipAsm running and render the included starter.
2. Go from one image to a sequence.
3. Name and reference a clip.
4. Transform one scene.
5. Add a flash between scenes.
6. Change a named scene after assembly.
7. Reuse a scene style across source files.

If you only want to evaluate ClipAsm first, try it in the browser. The playground contains a complete project and uploads nothing.

How-to guides

Use these guides when you have a concrete task:

• Check a program before rendering
• Inspect compiled JSON
• Supply root inputs and parameters
• Import and call a source program
• Add or replace a soundtrack
• Review and run an external program
• Troubleshoot validation, media, tools, rendering, and cache problems

Understand ClipAsm

These pages explain the underlying model without using the learning project:

• From source to published video
• Color and linear-light processing
• Stack ownership and visibility
• Source programs and imports
• External programs and the trust boundary

Examples and reference

Use the example catalog for small runnable programs. For exact information, use:

• Language reference for .clipasm syntax and behavior
• Built-in programs for call signatures and constraints
• Command-line reference for every CLI command and option
• Diagnostics for error-code guidance
• Machine-readable contracts for supported JSON integrations

When ClipAsm reports a diagnostic code, the quickest explanation is usually:

clipasm explain E_UNKNOWN_PROGRAM

Contributing

The repository contains contributor architecture and maintenance documents. They are outside this user guide. Start with the repository’s contribution workflow. Report possible vulnerabilities through the security policy.