Local transcript-based editing
Drop in a video or audio file and get a locally generated transcript with per-word timestamps and speaker labels. The transcript becomes the editing surface for the media clip.
Rescript
Rescript is an open-source browser editor for video and audio that lets you make cuts from a local transcript. It transcribes media on-device, supports transcript import, and exports the final edit without uploading your files.
Browser-based transcript editor for local video and audio editing
Rescript is an open-source, transcript-based video and audio editor that runs in the browser. Its workflow is centered on text: you import a media file, the app transcribes it locally with word-level timestamps and speaker labels, and you make edits by deleting words in the transcript.
The project is designed for a private, on-device workflow. The README says media processing, editing, and export all happen locally, and that after the first model download the app can work with the network fully disconnected. It is aimed at people editing video, podcasts, voice notes, interviews, or other spoken media who want text-driven trimming instead of traditional timeline-only editing.
Core capabilities
Word-level cut editing
Select words in the transcript and delete them to remove the corresponding section from the media. The cut follows the text, which makes precise edits easier to reason about than timeline-only trimming.
Transcript import
Skip Whisper and start from an existing caption file. The README says SRT, VTT, and JSON transcripts are supported for import.
Filler removal
Cut common speech fillers such as “um” and “uh” in one action. The README describes this as a one-click filler removal workflow.
Transcript-aware timeline
See the waveform, word labels, cut regions, playhead, and zoom controls on the timeline. This helps users review edits against the underlying media structure.
Live preview and in-browser export
Preview edits before export and render the kept sections in the browser. The README says playback skips cuts in real time and export is frame-accurate for MP4 or M4A.
Practical ways to use Rescript
Edit interview or podcast recordings
Use the app to clean up recorded conversations by deleting repeated words, false starts, and filler words directly in the transcript before export.
Turn rough footage into a shorter cut
Upload a clip, let the app generate a local transcript with speaker labels, and trim the talking points you do not want to keep without working in a traditional timeline first.
Work from an existing transcript
Start from an SRT, VTT, or JSON caption file when you already have a transcript and want to make text-based edits without rerunning transcription.
Keep source media local
Use the browser app for private material when you want the media and transcript to stay on your device rather than being uploaded to a server.
Validate edits before final export
Review and refine cuts with waveform, playhead, and real-time preview before exporting a frame-accurate MP4 or M4A file.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Editing is driven by the transcript, which makes word-level cuts explicit and easier to inspect.
- Processing stays on the device, with no server, no auth, and no uploads according to the README.
- It supports both automatic transcription and importing an existing transcript, which gives users a choice of workflow.
- The timeline and preview stay synchronized with the transcript, so users can review cuts before exporting.
- It supports both video and audio workflows, including podcasts, voice notes, and interviews.
Cons
- The first transcription can require downloading large AI models before everything is cached locally.
- A Chromium-based browser is recommended, and the app requires SharedArrayBuffer support with COOP/COEP headers.
- The source does not document broad import/export beyond SRT, VTT, JSON, MP4, and M4A, so other formats should not be assumed.
FAQ
Does Rescript work offline?
It is built as a browser-based editor that works fully offline after the initial model download. The README says the app uses local transcription and on-device media processing, with no server, no auth, and no uploads.
Can I import an existing transcript?
The README says you can drop in a video or audio file, transcribe it locally, and also import your own transcript in SRT, VTT, or JSON format instead of running Whisper.
What formats can it export?
Rescript exports the final edit in the browser using ffmpeg.wasm. The README specifically mentions frame-accurate MP4 export for video and M4A export for audio.
What browser or runtime does it require?
A Chromium-based browser is recommended. The app requires SharedArrayBuffer support with COOP/COEP headers and uses WebGPU when available, falling back to WASM otherwise.
Is it designed for team collaboration or hosted use?
The repo is MIT licensed and the README describes it as open source. It is built for a local, client-side workflow rather than a multi-user hosted service.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Video Editing / Audio Editing
- Product type
- Open-source browser app
- Platform
- Web browser
- License
- MIT
- Source domain
- github.com
- Primary workflow
- Import media, transcribe locally, delete words to cut, export final edit
Alternativas a Rescript
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QuickQuill
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optimo
Optimo is a free, open-source CLI for optimizing and converting images and videos with format-specific commands built on ImageMagick and FFmpeg. It helps developers prepare web assets, batch process media, and automate compression from the shell or a Node.js script.
Tactiq
Tactiq is an AI note taker for Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams that transcribes meetings live and turns them into summaries, action items, and follow-up outputs. It is built around a Chrome extension and supports team workflows through sharing and integrations.
Sanota
Sanota is an app that turns spoken memories, reflections, and interviews into clear written stories. It supports personal storytelling, family history, and shared memories, with guided prompts and subscription pricing.