Reverse-engineer video timelines - open-source tool
TL;DR: The tool runs locally via Python and FFmpeg, integrating with AI coding agents like Claude Code or Codex to analyze video timelines. It extracts per-shot frames, checks for synthetic artifacts, determines audio be
TL;DR: The tool runs locally via Python and FFmpeg, integrating with AI coding agents like Claude Code or Codex to analyze video timelines. It extracts per-shot frames, checks for synthetic artifacts, determines audio beats, and compiles a comprehensive HTML report with reconstruction prompts.
Best for: Developers and content creators looking to analyze and recreate complex short-form videos.
Repository snapshot: β 5 499 stars Β· π΄ 789 forks Β· Python Β· Apache-2.0
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What it is
rea-video is a Python-based utility that reverse-engineers MP4 files into detailed, shot-by-shot reconstruction plans. Built for developers and creators who dissect motion graphics or AI-generated clips, it automates the tedious process of timeline analysis, separating footage into live-action, code-driven animations, and synthetic generation.
How it works
The tool combines local FFmpeg processing with multimodal vision models and AI coding agents. It extracts per-shot frames, detects synthetic artifacts, determines audio beats and BPM, and compiles the findings into a comprehensive HTML report complete with custom reconstruction prompts.
Key features
- Classifies every shot as filmed, AI-generated, or coded with duration weighting
- Generates prompt recipes and camera notes for recreating each segment
- Exports time-coded captions and styled text as SRT or ASS files
- Parses editing rhythm, cuts, audio tracks, and background music BPM
- Integrates directly into AI coding agents through an installable skill
Getting started
Clone the repository from GitHub, ensure you have Python and FFmpeg installed locally, and configure your vision model credentials if you want to refine uncertain shot classifications.
git clone https://github.com/JuneYaooo/rea-video.git
cd rea-video
When not to use it
If you only edit traditional straight-cut vlogs or simple interviews, this tool is overkill. It is specifically tailored for complex short-form videos involving mixed media, motion graphics, and synthetic elements.
Discuss
What is the hardest part of reverse-engineering a complex AI-generated video?
Curated from the repository README and metadata. No hands-on test is claimed; evaluate it in a sandbox before production use.
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