---
name: gif-generation
description: Converts webm/mp4 video files to optimized GIFs via ffmpeg with configurable quality settings. Use when post-processing recordings into shareable GIFs.
alwaysApply: false
category: media-generation
tags:
- gif
- ffmpeg
- video
- conversion
- optimization
tools: []
complexity: low
model_hint: fast
estimated_tokens: 400
progressive_loading: false
---

# GIF Generation Skill

Post-process video files (webm/mp4) and generate optimized GIF output with configurable quality settings.


## When To Use

- Converting recordings to animated GIF format
- Creating lightweight demo animations

## When NOT To Use

- High-quality video output - use full recording tools
- Static image generation without animation needs

## Overview

This skill handles the conversion of video recordings (typically from browser automation) to GIF format. It provides multiple quality presets and optimization options to balance file size with visual quality.

## Required Progress Items

```
- Validate input video file exists
- Check ffmpeg installation
- Execute GIF conversion
- Verify output and report results
```
**Verification:** Run the command with `--help` flag to verify availability.

## Process

### Step 1: Validate Input File

Confirm the source video file exists and is a supported format:

```bash
# Check file exists and get info
if [[ -f "$INPUT_FILE" ]]; then
    file "$INPUT_FILE"
    ffprobe -v quiet -show_format -show_streams "$INPUT_FILE" 2>/dev/null | head -20
else
    echo "Error: Input file not found: $INPUT_FILE"
    exit 1
fi
```
**Verification:** Run the command with `--help` flag to verify availability.

Supported input formats: `.webm`, `.mp4`, `.mov`, `.avi`

### Step 2: Check ffmpeg Installation

Verify ffmpeg is available:

```bash
if ! command -v ffmpeg &> /dev/null; then
    echo "Error: ffmpeg is not installed"
    echo "Install with: sudo apt install ffmpeg (Linux) or brew install ffmpeg (macOS)"
    exit 1
fi
ffmpeg -version | head -1
```
**Verification:** Run the command with `--help` flag to verify availability.

### Step 3: Execute Conversion

Choose the appropriate conversion command based on quality requirements:

#### Basic Conversion (Fast, Larger File)

```bash
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=10,scale=800:-1" output.gif
```
**Verification:** Run the command with `--help` flag to verify availability.

#### High Quality with Palette Generation (Recommended)

```bash
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=10,scale=800:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen[p];[s1][p]paletteuse" output.gif
```
**Verification:** Run the command with `--help` flag to verify availability.

#### Maximum Quality with Dithering

```bash
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=15,scale=1024:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen=max_colors=256:stats_mode=single[p];[s1][p]paletteuse=dither=bayer:bayer_scale=5" output.gif
```
**Verification:** Run the command with `--help` flag to verify availability.

### Optimization Options

| Option | Description | Recommended Value |
|--------|-------------|-------------------|
| `fps` | Frames per second | 10-15 for smooth, 5-8 for smaller files |
| `scale` | Width in pixels (-1 maintains aspect ratio) | 800 for web, 480 for thumbnails |
| `flags=lanczos` | High-quality scaling algorithm | Always use for best quality |
| `palettegen` | Generate optimized color palette | Use for quality-critical output |
| `dither` | Dithering algorithm | `bayer` for patterns, `floyd_steinberg` for smooth |

### Common Presets

```bash
# Thumbnail (small, fast loading)
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=8,scale=480:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen[p];[s1][p]paletteuse" thumbnail.gif

# Documentation (balanced)
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=10,scale=800:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen[p];[s1][p]paletteuse" docs.gif

# High-fidelity demo
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=15,scale=1024:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen=max_colors=256[p];[s1][p]paletteuse" demo.gif
```
**Verification:** Run the command with `--help` flag to verify availability.

### Step 4: Verify Output

Confirm successful conversion and report metrics:

```bash
if [[ -f "$OUTPUT_FILE" ]]; then
    echo "GIF generated successfully: $OUTPUT_FILE"

    # Report file size
    SIZE=$(du -h "$OUTPUT_FILE" | cut -f1)
    echo "File size: $SIZE"

    # Get dimensions and frame count
    ffprobe -v quiet -select_streams v:0 -show_entries stream=width,height,nb_frames -of csv=p=0 "$OUTPUT_FILE"
else
    echo "Error: GIF generation failed"
    exit 1
fi
```
**Verification:** Run the command with `--help` flag to verify availability.

## Exit Criteria

- [ ] Input file validated as existing video format
- [ ] ffmpeg confirmed available
- [ ] GIF file created at specified output path
- [ ] Output file size reported to user
- [ ] No ffmpeg errors during conversion

## Troubleshooting

### Large Output File

Reduce quality settings:
```bash
# Lower fps and resolution
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=8,scale=640:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen[p];[s1][p]paletteuse" smaller.gif
```
**Verification:** Run the command with `--help` flag to verify availability.

### Color Banding

Use dithering:
```bash
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=10,scale=800:-1:flags=lanczos,split[s0][s1];[s0]palettegen[p];[s1][p]paletteuse=dither=floyd_steinberg" smooth.gif
```
**Verification:** Run the command with `--help` flag to verify availability.

### Slow Conversion

Use basic conversion without palette generation for speed:
```bash
ffmpeg -i input.webm -vf "fps=10,scale=800:-1" quick.gif
```
**Verification:** Run the command with `--help` flag to verify availability.


---
Source attribution: athola
Original project: https://github.com/athola/claude-night-market/blob/a1624efd2f3d149d479cbad0d81328cf6a402a03/plugins/scry/skills/gif-generation/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2025 athola

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.



# Dave AI resource metadata

Creator / publisher: athola
Original project: https://github.com/athola/claude-night-market/blob/a1624efd2f3d149d479cbad0d81328cf6a402a03/plugins/scry/skills/gif-generation/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Recovered original package and original project license at a pinned revision

Fields of work: Marketing
Roles: Advertising Specialist, Content Marketer, Social Media Manager
Specialties: API
Tools: FFmpeg, Bash
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: a8b0db658e839e439b4549fdcad4fc2ff482c2ef0967c75556e81860fcce32d7
Metadata reviewed: 2026-10-27
This metadata supersedes earlier Dave AI catalog attribution. Original instruction and supporting files are preserved.