make-short skill
A Claude Code skill that makes animated YouTube Shorts: story, voice and Blender scenes in code, then an independent critique.
- 63 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- The skill runs Blender, Node.js and ffmpeg on the computer and writes project files.
- Posting through Blotato sends the video to an external platform, but only after confirmation.
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add skills/make-shortDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The skill runs Blender, Node.js and ffmpeg on the computer and writes project files.
- Posting through Blotato sends the video to an external platform, but only after confirmation.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
make-short guides Claude Code through eight steps: measure a reference, write a story, voice it, build scenes, gate frames, critique, fix and optionally post. Claude writes cartoon characters in a 3D world as Blender code and renders the video. The voice is your own recording (free, with Whisper timing every word) or ElevenLabs. A fresh critic agent scores the render against a rubric, naming the second where each point was lost. In the README example the score rose from 4.2 to 7.9 out of 10 over several rounds. Large Shorts use an agent team: a manager and four workers. Posting is optional: the video goes out through Blotato only after you type `go`, private first. Run `/make-short a short about why soldiers called hardtack "tooth dullers"`.
Who it is for. Short-form creators who want to produce cartoon Shorts with an agent without drawing scenes by hand.
Good fit when
- You have an idea for a video about a historical fact and need script, voice and render.
- The video is built but you do not know what is wrong and want an independent critique with timestamps.
- You want to record your own voice and get exact timing without paid services.
- You want a finished example of building Blender scenes in code.
Not a fit when
- You work from a phone or in cloud Skills on claude.ai: the skill runs Blender on your computer.
- You have no GPU Blender can use.
- You need a video with third-party characters or rights to known figures.
Example request
Make a 15-second Short about why soldiers called hardtack "tooth dullers". Show the story for approval first.Limitations
It runs only in Claude Code on your own computer. It needs Blender 5.x, Node.js 22 or newer, Python 3.10 or newer, ffmpeg and Git Bash, and the scripts target Windows. A one-minute film renders in about 21 minutes on a gaming laptop. According to the README a 15-second run used about 3 percent of a five-hour limit on the Max 5x plan. ElevenLabs voice costs about one credit per character and the skill states the count before running. ElevenLabs and Blotato keys live in environment variables, not in chat.
How to disable. Delete the `~/.claude/skills/make-short` folder (on Windows `%USERPROFILE%\.claude\skills\make-short`) and clear the `ELEVENLABS_API_KEY` and `BLOTATO_API_KEY` variables if you set them.
FAQ
What must be installed first?
Blender 5.x, Node.js 22 or newer, Python 3.10 or newer, ffmpeg, Git Bash and Whisper for the free voice route. The list with commands is in `INSTALL.md`.
Does the skill post on its own?
No, the video is posted through Blotato only after you type `go`, private first, and what will be sent is shown beforehand.
How does the critique work?
An independent critic agent scores the render against a rubric and names the second where a point was lost. The skill does not accept Claude's own score.
Can I upload it to claude.ai Skills?
No, the skill runs Blender and scripts on your computer and the folder is too large. Claude Code is required.
What does the voice cost?
Your own recording is free. ElevenLabs charges about one credit per character; a 15-second narration used 202 credits.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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README in short
A skill that builds a cartoon video in Blender code and scores it with an independent critic. Own-voice narration is free, posting only on go.