Ask, Plan, and Edit modes
Describe an editing task in plain language and have agents answer, propose a plan, or apply a change directly to the project timeline.
OpenVids
OpenVids is a free, open-source desktop video editor for macOS and Windows that applies plain-language instructions to a real, reviewable timeline. Its agents assist with rough cuts, motion graphics, audio, source research, and render QA while leaving manual editorial control with the user.
AI-assisted editing on a real timeline
OpenVids is a free, open-source desktop video editor for macOS and Windows. It uses plain-language direction to help build chapters, shape a cut, add motion and sound, and review a render on a real project timeline rather than generating a standalone video.
The workflow is designed for editors who want assistance with repetitive production work while retaining editorial control. Agents make reviewable changes inside the project, and users can inspect, revert, undo, or manually continue the edit. Media remains on the user’s disk.
Core features
Four specialized agents
Main works on the cut, Motion Designer creates titles, lower thirds, logo stings, and caption styles, Audio handles dialogue and music, and Research finds sources while tracking licenses and credits.
Story Graph and chapter-based editing
Organize a film into chapters, attach shots, sound, and motion to those chapters, and use Build to turn the Story Graph into a cut.
Reviewable, non-destructive workflow
Review each agent result as a project change, revert individual chat turns, use undo, or take over the timeline for manual editing.
Render QA
An agent reviews rendered output for technical issues such as caption overlap, mistimed dissolves, and short audio gaps; it fixes what it can and leaves pacing and shot choices for the editor.
Source and license tracking
Research can flag disputed licenses and prepare credit lines without blocking export, leaving the decision about whether to use a flagged clip with the editor.
Practical use cases
Interview rough cuts
Give Main a story-focused brief such as shaping an interview around its strongest answer and keeping the result under a defined duration, then review the resulting rough cut.
Titles and motion graphics
Ask Motion Designer for a restrained title sting, lower third, logo treatment, or caption style from a written brief, with duration or visual constraints included in the prompt.
Dialogue and music passes
Use Audio to even out interview dialogue, keep music underneath the speech, and trim a music bed to the length of the cut before reviewing the result.
B-roll research and licensing
Ask Research for b-roll or other source material, inspect the returned selects, and review flagged licenses and copy-ready credits before deciding what to include.
Technical review before delivery
Run a render review near delivery to identify issues such as caption overlap, a poorly timed dissolve, or a short audio drop, while retaining responsibility for pacing and shot selection.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Combines AI assistance with a reviewable, editable project timeline rather than returning only a finished rendered video.
- Four agents divide common editing tasks across cutting, motion graphics, audio, and research.
- Ask, Plan, and Edit modes let users control whether a prompt answers a question, proposes work, or changes the timeline.
- Research tracks source licenses and credits, while render QA identifies certain technical issues after export.
- Media stays on the user’s disk, according to the product site.
Cons
- The site presents an early v0.5.4 release, so feature maturity and operational constraints should be evaluated before relying on it for production work.
- The available product information does not document supported import or export formats, integrations, team collaboration, or pricing conditions beyond the free and open-source description.
FAQ
Which platforms does OpenVids support?
OpenVids is a desktop video editor for macOS and Windows. The site provides downloads for macOS Apple Silicon and Windows; the displayed release is v0.5.4.
How does editing with OpenVids work?
You provide plain-language direction, then choose whether an agent should answer a question, propose a plan, or make a change to the timeline. Results are added to the project for review, and you can continue editing by hand.
What can OpenVids’ agents do?
The four agents are Main, Motion Designer, Audio, and Research. Main works on the cut, Motion Designer handles titles and other motion elements, Audio works on dialogue and music, and Research finds sources while tracking licenses and credits.
Can I still edit the timeline manually?
Yes. Agent results are reviewable changes in the project rather than hidden changes in a final render. The site also describes per-turn reversion, undo, and the ability to take over the timeline at any point.
Is OpenVids free, and where is the source code?
OpenVids is described as free and open source. The source material does not specify paid plans, usage limits, or commercial support terms. Code and releases are available on GitHub.
Quick Facts
- Category
- AI video editing
- Platforms
- macOS and Windows desktop
- License positioning
- Free and open source
- Workflow
- Plain-language prompts applied to a reviewable timeline
- Agents
- Main, Motion Designer, Audio, and Research
- Current displayed release
- v0.5.4
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