BashCut CLI
A macOS video editor driven by Claude Code and Codex: a terminal docked beside the timeline, bashcut commands and an MCP server.
- 80 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- An agent changes and exports projects, and plugins and batch pipelines run code outside the app.
Install
- Works in
Manual install
brew install --cask dongnguyenvie/tap/bashcutApp install through Homebrew Cask, macOS 14 or newer. Then `bashcut agent setup claude`.
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- An agent changes and exports projects, and plugins and batch pipelines run code outside the app.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
BashCut is a native AVFoundation editor with timeline layers, captions, color grading, transitions and exports for TikTok and YouTube. Agents edit the project with the same commands as the UI: the `bashcut` CLI and the `bashcut-mcp` server cover every editor action, 248 commands. Each edit is a separate history step, appears in Show Changes and can be undone. The editor window docks real Claude Code and Codex terminals beside the timeline. `bashcut agent setup claude` or `bashcut agent setup codex` installs the skill sets and MCP server for an agent in a regular terminal or in Claude Desktop. Skills such as `bc:edit-workflow`, `bc:rough-cut` and `bc:captions-text` guide the edit from footage survey to a review before export.
Who it is for. Mac video editors and creators who want to hand rough cuts, captions and vertical versions to an agent and refine the result by hand.
Good fit when
- A podcast should become a vertical clip with word-by-word captions.
- Many clips are cut to the beat of the music.
- One project is built into TikTok and YouTube versions in a single pass.
- The same chain of steps runs over a folder of files through `bashcut batch`.
Not a fit when
- You work on Windows or Linux.
- Agents have no place in your editing workflow.
- Your editing happens in Premiere or DaVinci Resolve.
Example request
Edit these clips into a 60-second vertical video and show me the cut plan first.Limitations
macOS 14 or newer is required. The Homebrew Cask install puts `BashCut.app` into `/Applications` and links `bashcut` and `bashcut-mcp` into Homebrew `bin`. The Claude and Codex tabs need your own subscriptions: BashCut runs the real CLIs with your login and passes no `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`. Other models connect through the AI Editor plugin with your API key, entered in plugin options rather than in chat. The project moves fast, and the verified and unfinished parts are listed in `docs/status/implementation.md`. An agent can change and export a project, so set its permissions in the agent settings.
How to disable. Remove the app with `brew uninstall --cask bashcut`, adding `--zap` to delete settings and caches. For Claude Code remove the plugin with `/plugin uninstall bc@bashcut-agent-kit`.
FAQ
How do I connect BashCut to Claude Code in my own terminal?
Run `bashcut agent setup claude`. The alternative is the plugin: `/plugin marketplace add dongnguyenvie/bashcut-agent-kit`, then `/plugin install bc@bashcut-agent-kit`.
Do I need a separate API key?
No, if you have a Claude or ChatGPT subscription: the tabs run real Claude Code and Codex under your login. A key is only needed for the AI Editor plugin with other models.
Can I undo what the agent did?
Yes. Each call produces one undoable edit, and the Show Changes window shows what the agent changed and reverts it in one step.
What are the bc skills?
A set of skills from the bashcut-agent-kit repository, shown in Claude Code and Codex as `bc:<name>`, for example `bc:rough-cut` and `bc:review`. Start with `bc:edit-workflow`.
What does /bc:setup do?
The agent installs the recommended plugins: Whisper captions, a Vietnamese voice, silence markers and the AI Editor, then checks that they work.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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BaoCut Skill
baocut
A skill for BaoCut, a video editor on Mac: transcription, subtitles, translation, timeline and export through the bcut CLI. Works only with the BaoCut app
Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BashCut (this card) | no | 80 | |
| Video Editor Skills | no | 443 | a set of editing skills; BashCut ships a full editor with a timeline, a 248-command CLI and MCP |
| Remotion Agent Skills | no | 6,903 | builds video in React code; BashCut edits real footage on a timeline with manual control |
README in short
The README covers a five-minute quick start, editor features, the `bc:` skill list and automation through the CLI and MCP. It also lists plugins, the signed registry and install options.