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Behind InkyCut: How We’re Reimagining Video Editing from Scratch

InkyCut Team

Most video editors follow the same playbook: throw every possible feature into the interface, create complex menus, add more buttons, and hope users figure it out.

We took a different approach.

The Problem with “Kitchen Sink” Interfaces

Traditional video editors suffer from feature bloat. They try to surface every possible action in the UI, resulting in:

  • Overwhelming toolbars with dozens of icons
  • Nested menus six levels deep
  • Context panels that steal half your screen
  • Keyboard shortcuts you’ll never remember

The irony? Most of these features are rarely used, yet they dominate the interface and complicate the simple stuff.

Our Three-Part Strategy

InkyCut is built on a simple philosophy: lean UI, powerful commands, smart orchestration.

1. Lean UI - Data, Not Clutter

Our interface shows you one thing: your video composition data. That’s it.

No timeline scrubbing. No track management. No cluttered toolbars. Just a clean, minimal view of what’s actually in your video—clips, text, effects, transitions—displayed as structured data you can understand at a glance.

Think JSON, but human-readable. You see exactly what your video contains, nothing more, nothing less.

2. Slash Commands - Power When You Need It

Instead of hunting through menus, you access functionality through slash commands. Need to adjust timing? /set-elem -d 5s. Want to add text? /new-text -t "Hello World". Want to share your design with others? /share. Want to export your design? /export -f json.

It’s like having a command palette for video editing. Fast, direct, and discoverable. No need to remember where Adobe hid the feature you need—just type what you want to do.

These aren’t just shortcuts; they’re a complete editing language. Every action in InkyCut can be expressed as a command. This makes editing both faster for power users and more predictable for everyone.

3. AI Agent - Your Smart Assistant

Here’s where it gets interesting: you don’t even need to know the slash commands.

Our AI agent understands creative intent and translates it into the right sequence of commands. When you say “make this more dramatic,” the AI figures out which commands to run—maybe /transition dramatic, /music intensity +20%, and /color grade cinematic. (Note, this is still under construction, let’s see how it goes!)

The AI isn’t just autocomplete; it’s a creative partner that understands video editing principles and can execute complex multi-step edits with a single conversation.

Why This Approach Works

Simplicity Without Compromise

A lean interface doesn’t mean fewer features—it means smarter feature access. Every video editing capability exists, but it’s accessed through commands rather than cluttering the interface.

Predictable and Fast

Slash commands are discoverable and consistent. /duration always works the same way whether you’re editing a clip, transition, or effect. No context-switching confusion.

AI That Actually Helps

Because everything is command-driven, our AI can actually perform complex edits, not just suggest them. It can chain commands together, understand context, and execute your creative vision without you needing to learn the underlying syntax.

The Real-World Difference

Let me vision you how this plays out in practice (under construction though):

Traditional Editor:

  1. Find the transition menu (where was it again?)
  2. Browse through dozens of transition types
  3. Drag transition to timeline
  4. Adjust duration in properties panel
  5. Preview, realize it’s wrong
  6. Go back to step 1

InkyCut:

  1. Say “add a smooth fade between these clips”
  2. AI runs /transition fade smooth automatically
  3. Done

Or if you prefer direct control: /transition fade 2s and you’re done.

Beyond Editing - A New Paradigm

This isn’t just about making video editing easier (though it does that). It’s about creating a new paradigm where:

  • Interfaces serve data, not features
  • Commands provide precise control
  • AI handles the complexity

The result is editing that feels like conversation but with the precision of professional tools.

What This Means for Creators

You get the best of both worlds:

  • Beginner-friendly: Just describe what you want, AI handles the commands
  • Pro-level control: Direct command access for precise editing
  • Always transparent: See exactly what’s in your composition, no hidden complexity

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned editor, you can work at your preferred level of detail while the interface stays clean and focused.

The Open Source Advantage

Since InkyCut is open source, this approach benefits everyone:

  • Command language is documented - Build your own tools using our slash commands
  • AI models are swappable - Use different AI agents for different editing styles
  • UI components are modular - Customize the interface for your workflow

The lean UI, powerful commands, and smart AI aren’t just InkyCut features—they’re an open standard for how video editing could work.

What’s Coming Next

We’re expanding this foundation:

  • Command scripting - Save and share command sequences
  • Custom AI agents - Train models for specific editing styles
  • Collaborative commands - Real-time editing with shared command history
  • Voice commands - Speak directly to the slash command system

Why We Built It This Way

Because we believe creative tools should be powerful yet approachable. You shouldn’t need to choose between ease-of-use and capability.

InkyCut’s strategy gives you both: simple when you want simple, powerful when you need powerful, smart enough to bridge the gap.

Your creativity is limitless. Your tools should be too.

Ready to experience lean UI and powerful commands? Try InkyCut and see the difference for yourself.

Type Faster, Create Faster - Introducing Slash Commands

Dev Team

Ever noticed how the fastest creators barely touch their mouse? They live in keyboard shortcuts, command palettes, and quick actions. If you’re tired of hunting through menus for basic tasks, slash commands are about to become your new best friend.

Type / in InkyCut’s chat, and watch a whole world of instant actions unfold. No more clicking through menus. No more interrupting your creative flow. Just pure, streamlined efficiency.

What Are Slash Commands?

Slash commands are your direct line to InkyCut’s most common actions. Start typing / in the chat input, and you’ll see an intelligent autocomplete dropdown that learns what you want before you finish typing.

Think of them as keyboard shortcuts for the chat era—but smarter.

The Magic of Smart Autocomplete

Here’s where it gets interesting. Our autocomplete doesn’t just match exact text. It’s built with fuzzy matching that understands what you’re trying to do:

  • Type /res → suggests /reset
  • Type /rst → also suggests /reset (with highlighted matching letters)
  • Type /sh → suggests /share

The system learns your patterns and gets you there faster, whether you’re a precise typer or someone who likes to abbreviate everything.

Every Command at Your Fingertips

🔄 /reset - Fresh Start

Sometimes you need to clear the slate completely. This command resets your entire project to default state—files, chat history, everything. Perfect for starting over or clearing a test project.

/reset

📤 /import - Bring Projects In

Got a project file you want to work with? Skip the menu navigation.

/import

Opens the import dialog instantly, ready for drag-and-drop or file selection.

💾 /export - Save Your Work

Export with surgical precision. Choose your format, even export directly without the dialog:

/export --format json --yes
/export --format mp4
/export -f webm

The --yes flag bypasses the dialog entirely and downloads immediately. Perfect for quick backups.

🔗 /share - Instant Collaboration

Share your project with end-to-end encryption in seconds:

/share --yes

This creates an encrypted shareable link and returns the URL directly in chat. No dialog, no extra clicks—just pure efficiency.

Keyboard Navigation That Actually Works

Once the autocomplete appears, your hands never need to leave the keyboard:

  • Arrow Up/Down: Navigate through commands
  • Enter: Select and auto-complete the command
  • Escape: Close the dropdown
  • Keep typing: Filter results in real-time

It’s the kind of interaction that feels natural after about 30 seconds and becomes indispensable after 30 minutes.

Visual Feedback That Guides You

The autocomplete dropdown isn’t just functional—it’s informative:

  • Command highlighting: See exactly which characters match your input
  • Full descriptions: Understand what each command does without guessing
  • Usage examples: See the full syntax with available options
  • Selection highlighting: Always know which command you’re about to select

Built for Speed, Designed for Flow

Every design decision prioritizes flow state:

  • Upward expansion: Dropdown appears above input so it never blocks your view
  • Instant filtering: Results update as you type, no lag
  • Smart positioning: Works in any screen size or layout
  • Error handling: Clear feedback when commands fail or options are invalid

Why This Matters for Creators

When you’re in the zone, every interruption costs creative momentum. Slash commands eliminate those micro-frustrations:

  • No hunting through menus while your idea is hot
  • No breaking focus to remember where a feature lives
  • No context switching between mouse and keyboard
  • No waiting for dialogs when you know exactly what you want

Getting Started

Ready to speed up your workflow? Just:

  1. Open InkyCut’s chat interface
  2. Type / to see all available commands
  3. Start typing to filter (try /rst for reset)
  4. Use arrow keys to navigate or click to select
  5. Hit Enter to execute

Within minutes, you’ll discover your own shortcuts and patterns. Within days, you’ll wonder how you ever worked without them.

What’s Next?

This is just the foundation. We’re already working on:

  • Custom commands: Define your own project-specific shortcuts
  • Command history: Quick access to recently used commands
  • Parameter memory: Remember your preferred export formats and options
  • Advanced options: More powerful arguments for complex workflows

The goal is simple: every action you do more than once should be one keystroke away.

Ready to experience the speed? Open InkyCut, type /, and discover how much faster creation can be when your tools get out of your way.

Have ideas for new slash commands? Let us know what would make your workflow even smoother.

Three Ways to Talk to Your AI Assistant

Ju Lin

You know that moment when you open a video editor and suddenly feel overwhelmed by all the buttons, panels, and options?

Well, InkyCut’s AI chat doesn’t have that problem. But here’s something cool we discovered while building it: different creative moments need different types of AI help.

Sometimes you want the AI to take charge and handle everything. Other times you want precise control over each change. And occasionally, you just need to understand what’s going on before making any moves.

That’s why we built three distinct AI modes—each designed for a specific creative mindset.

The Three Modes of Creative AI

🤖 Agent Mode: “Handle This For Me”

This is where the magic happens. You describe your end goal, and the AI agent breaks it down into steps and executes them automatically.

Example conversation:

You: “Create a professional title sequence with our logo and company name”

Agent: Working on your title sequence…

Step 1/8 - Reading current project structure
Step 2/8 - Adding company logo element
Step 3/8 - Positioning logo in center frame
Step 4/8 - Creating title text with company name
Step 5/8 - Adding fade-in animation to logo
Step 6/8 - Adding slide-in animation to text
Step 7/8 - Adjusting timing and spacing
Step 8/8 - Adding background color

Goal Achieved! Your professional title sequence is complete.

The agent thinks in workflows, not individual actions. It understands that “professional title sequence” means multiple coordinated steps: positioning, animations, timing, and visual hierarchy.

Perfect for:

  • Complex, multi-step requests
  • When you want to focus on creative vision, not implementation
  • Learning new techniques (watch how the agent approaches problems)
  • Rapid prototyping of ideas

✏️ Edit Mode: “Make This Specific Change”

Sometimes you know exactly what you want changed. Edit mode gives you precise, surgical control over your project.

Example conversation:

You: “Make the title text bigger and move it to the top-left corner”

AI: I’ll increase the font size to 48px and reposition the title to coordinates (50, 30) in the top-left area.

Changes made:

  • Modified title element font size: 32px → 48px
  • Updated position: center (960, 540) → top-left (50, 30)

Edit mode is direct and predictable. One request, one focused change. No surprises, no creative interpretation—just execution.

Perfect for:

  • Fine-tuning specific elements
  • Making quick adjustments
  • When you know exactly what needs changing
  • Maintaining full creative control

🔍 Ask Mode: “Help Me Understand This”

Before making changes, sometimes you need information. Ask mode analyzes your project and provides insights without modifying anything.

Example conversation:

You: “What’s the current structure of my video project?”

AI: Your project contains:

Project Overview:

  • 3 pages with total duration of 25 seconds
  • Resolution: 1920x1080 at 30fps
  • 12 total elements across all pages

Page Breakdown:

  • Page 1 “Intro” (8 sec): Logo, title text, background
  • Page 2 “Content” (12 sec): 6 text elements, 2 images
  • Page 3 “Outro” (5 sec): Call-to-action text, fade effect

Recommendations:

  • Consider adding transitions between pages
  • Page 2 has many elements—grouping might improve organization
  • Audio track could enhance the intro sequence

Ask mode is your creative consultant. It never changes anything, but helps you understand what you have and suggests what might work better.

Perfect for:

  • Understanding complex projects
  • Getting suggestions before making changes
  • Learning video editing concepts
  • Project audits and reviews

Why Three Modes Matter

Different creative moments require different types of AI interaction:

Starting a project? → Agent mode handles the heavy lifting
Polishing details? → Edit mode gives precise control
Feeling stuck? → Ask mode provides insights and suggestions

The best part? Your AI remembers context across modes. Start with Agent to build the foundation, switch to Ask to understand the structure, then use Edit to perfect the details.

Real Creative Workflows

Here’s how the modes work together in practice:

Workflow 1: The Rapid Prototype

  1. Agent: “Create a product demo video”
  2. Ask: “How does the pacing feel?”
  3. Edit: “Speed up the middle section by 20%“

Workflow 2: The Collaborative Review

  1. Ask: “Analyze the visual hierarchy”
  2. Edit: “Make the headline more prominent”
  3. Agent: “Add subtle animations to guide viewer attention”

Workflow 3: The Learning Journey

  1. Ask: “What makes a good title sequence?”
  2. Agent: “Create an example title sequence”
  3. Edit: “Change the colors to match our brand”

Under the Hood: How It Actually Works

Agent Mode uses multi-step planning with tool execution. It breaks complex requests into logical steps and executes them systematically.

Edit Mode uses single-step execution with precise targeting. It maps your request to specific project modifications.

Ask Mode uses analysis-only processing. It reads your project structure and provides insights without making changes.

All three modes share the same understanding of your project, but approach interaction completely differently.

Configurable Intelligence

Want more control? The Settings panel lets you customize your AI experience:

  • Maximum Steps (1-20): How complex can Agent mode get?
  • Creativity Level (0-1): More focused vs. more experimental?
  • AI Model: Balance speed vs. capability for your workflow

Your preferences persist across sessions, so your AI learns how you like to work.

The Future of Creative AI

These three modes represent something bigger: AI that adapts to human creative processes, not the other way around.

Traditional software forces you to learn its workflow. InkyCut’s AI modes meet you where you are creatively:

  • Exploring? Agent mode handles execution while you focus on vision
  • Refining? Edit mode gives surgical precision
  • Learning? Ask mode provides insights without pressure

What’s Next

We’re constantly improving how these modes understand creative intent:

  • More Tools for diverse video editing tasks
  • Better context understanding across mode switches
  • Advanced workflow patterns for common creative scenarios
  • Custom mode configurations for specific use cases

Why This Matters

Video editing isn’t just about software—it’s about translating creative vision into reality. Different moments in that translation need different types of help.

Sometimes you need a creative partner who takes initiative. Sometimes you need a precise tool that does exactly what you say. Sometimes you need a consultant who helps you understand what you have.

InkyCut’s three AI modes give you all three, in one conversation.

Ready to try all three modes? Start editing and discover which mode fits your creative flow.

Note: As of now (25 July 2025), InkyCut is still in MVP (Most Valuable Player) mode, which means you may experience bugs, glitches, or unexpected behavior. We appreciate your patience as we continue to improve the platform. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of creative AI. If you encounter any issues, please report them through our feedback form.

Introducing InkyCut

InkyCut Team

I’m sure you’ve been there: import footage, drag to timeline, adjust cuts, add transitions, sync audio, add fancy stickers, render preview, realize it’s not perfect, start over.

Sound familiar? If you’ve ever tried to edit a video, you know the pain. The learning curve is steep, the interfaces are cluttered, and what should be creative ends up feeling like fighting with software.

That’s exactly why we built InkyCut.

The Problem We’re Solving

Here’s what typically happens when you want to create a video:

  1. Learn a complex video editor (Premiere, Final Cut, whatever)
  2. Import your media files and organize them
  3. Drag clips to timeline tracks (hope you got the timing right)
  4. Manually add transitions, effects, and text
  5. Preview and realize something’s off
  6. Scrub through timeline, make adjustments
  7. Repeat until it maybe works

This workflow assumes you want to become a video editor. But what if you just want to make a video?

What We Built

InkyCut flips video editing on its head. Instead of timelines and tracks, you just talk to it.

Vibe Editing, Not Timeline Wrestling

Describe what you want: “Make a 30-second intro with my logo, fade in some background music, and add the text ‘Welcome to my channel’ with a cool animation.”

That’s it. Our AI figures out the rest.

No Skills Required, Just Ideas

You don’t need to learn keyframes, understand codecs, or memorize keyboard shortcuts. If you can describe what you want, InkyCut can build it. Think of it like “vibe coding” for video—pure creative intent, zero technical friction.

Open Source, Open Spec

The entire editor is open source. The JSON schema we use to define compositions? Open. The video renderer? Open. You can contribute, extend it, or build your own tools on top of our specification.

How It Actually Works

Let me show you a typical InkyCut session:

  1. Upload your media - Drop in images, videos, audio files
  2. Chat with the AI - “Create a product demo video with smooth transitions”
  3. Watch it build - See your video come together in real-time
  4. Refine with conversation - “Make the text bigger” or “Add a fade-out”

No timeline scrubbing. No track management. Just conversation.

Built AI-First from Day Zero

Most video editors bolt AI onto existing workflows. We started with AI as the foundation. Every component—from the interface to the renderer—was designed around conversational editing.

The result? Video creation that feels natural, not technical.

Free Forever, Open Always

InkyCut’s core functionality will always be free. We believe creative tools shouldn’t have paywalls. Premium features are coming, but the heart of the editor—AI-powered vibe editing—stays free.

Why? Because we think everyone should be able to create, regardless of budget or technical skill.

What’s Next

This is our MVP, but we’re just getting started:

  • Advanced AI models - More sophisticated understanding of creative intent
  • Collaboration features - Share projects and edit together in real-time
  • Template marketplace - Community-created starting points for common video types
  • Multi-format export - Optimize for different platforms automatically

Why We’re Building This

As creators ourselves, we got tired of spending more time learning software than actually creating. Video editing shouldn’t require a degree in software engineering.

InkyCut exists because we believe creative tools should amplify ideas, not complicate them.

Your vision matters more than your technical skills. InkyCut makes that possible.

Ready to try it? Start creating with just a conversation—no signup required.