Check a program before rendering

Use validate for a fast source check while editing. It checks the complete source package without opening media, running FFmpeg or FFprobe, or executing an external program.

Before you start

Run the steps from an initialized project containing main.clipasm. In a repository checkout, substitute examples/scenic-sequence.clipasm.

1. Validate the source

clipasm validate

A successful validation confirms that ClipAsm can parse the package and resolve imports and calls. ClipAsm also binds stack inputs, checks types, and calculates durations from authored data.

It does not confirm that media files exist or that rendering tools are installed. A video-file source may therefore validate with a duration that will resolve later during rendering.

2. Explain the first diagnostic

When validation fails, start at the first reported source location. If the diagnostic includes a code, get its longer explanation:

clipasm explain E_ENTRYPOINT_OUTPUT_COUNT

3. Correct the source

Edit the source at the first reported location.

4. Validate the corrected source

clipasm validate

Continue when validation reports a successful frame count or a duration that will resolve during preflight.

5. Render the checked program

clipasm render

Rendering repeats the source checks. It then opens reachable media, verifies the required tools, and creates the output. validate is useful while you edit, but render does not require it.

See From source to published video for the phase model, Inspect compiled JSON for tooling data, and Troubleshooting for common failures.