Why use a Skill instead of recording your screen
A raw screen recording of a terminal tends to catch typos, long waits for output, personal folder paths and pop-up notifications, and every retake starts from zero. SHELLCAST has the AI rebuild every frame from a timed script instead: commands are typed character by character, output appears line by line, and spinners and progress bars move on cue, with typing speed and pauses set by the script.
Because the frames are rendered, changing one command or one block of output means rendering the whole video again with the same look, which keeps demos consistent across releases. A split view can show an edit triggering a rebuild next to a live preview, which helps explain how a developer tool fits into a workflow.
Three common ways to use it
First, release announcements: turn a new command into a short clip for the top of a launch post or product page. Second, docs and tutorials: show install, setup and the first run as a video readers can follow along with. Third, open-source project pages: use one short video to explain what the tool actually does.
Steps with Claude Code
- Copy SHELLCAST from Sketchry and paste it into Claude Code, Codex or Cursor
- Give the AI the tool name plus three or four commands and their real output
- Tell it the video length and aspect ratio
- The AI installs GSAP and the render tools, then writes a storyboard
- Once the storyboard looks right, it renders the MP4, a poster and a contact sheet in your project folder
- Edit a command or a line of text and render again to get an updated video
FAQ
How is this different from recording my screen?
Every frame is rebuilt from a timed script, so typing speed and pauses stay fixed, typos and notifications never appear, and you can render a matching new version after changing the content.
Does it work with Codex or Cursor?
Yes. SHELLCAST is an AI Skill for Claude Code, Codex and Cursor, and all three can follow it.
Does Sketchry receive my commands or output?
No. The Skill runs inside your own AI tool, and the video is rendered on your own machine.