Short-Video Editing Coach

Build an AI-powered video editing guidance system via OpenClaw Ultra. From script analysis to pacing optimization to transition recommendations to subtitle generation, get professional editing direction for your short-form videos from a single chat interface.

Core System Overview

INFO

This is a closed-loop video editing workflow. OpenClaw Ultra analyzes your scripts, marks pacing breakpoints, recommends transitions, suggests background music, generates subtitles, and designs cover text — so you can edit faster and produce higher-quality short-form content.

System Layer	Core Function	Final Output
Script Analysis Layer	Hook evaluation, content structure review, pacing assessment	Script improvement recommendations
Pacing Layer	Breakpoint marking, timing optimization, rhythm analysis	Edit timeline with cut points
Transition Layer	Transition style selection, placement recommendations, effect suggestions	Transition guide per segment
Audio Layer	Music mood matching, SFX suggestions, audio level recommendations	Audio design blueprint
Subtitle Layer	Text generation, style specification, timing synchronization	Ready-to-burn subtitle file
Cover Layer	Thumbnail text, visual composition, A/B headline options	Cover design specifications

Prerequisites

Item	Requirement
OpenClaw Ultra	Installed and running
Video Script or Footage	Written script, rough cut, or raw footage description
Target Platform	TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or X
Video Length	15s / 30s / 60s / 90s
Editing Software (Optional)	CapCut, Premiere Pro, Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve

Step 0 — Initialize Your Editing Coach System

Set up OpenClaw Ultra as your dedicated video editing advisor.

Operation Steps

1. Open OpenClaw Ultra new chat session
2. Paste the initialization prompt
3. Provide your content details and editing preferences

Ready-to-Use Prompt

Act as my short-video editing coach.

My content:
- Niche: [your niche — e.g., tech reviews, cooking, fitness, business]
- Primary platform: [TikTok / Instagram Reels / YouTube Shorts]
- Video length: [typically 15s / 30s / 60s]
- Editing software: [CapCut / Premiere / Final Cut / DaVinci]

My editing style preference:
- Pacing: [fast-cut / medium / cinematic slow]
- Transitions: [minimal / moderate / heavy effects]
- Subtitles: [always / selective / none]
- Music: [trending audio / background ambience / voiceover only]

Build a complete editing guidance system covering:
- script analysis and optimization
- pacing and breakpoint recommendations
- transition and effect suggestions
- audio and music guidance
- subtitle and cover design

Step 1 — Analyze & Optimize Your Script

Review and improve your video script before editing.

1.1 Script Review

Prompt

Review this short-video script:

[paste script or describe footage]

Analyze:
- Hook strength (first 1-3 seconds): will it stop the scroll?
- Content structure: is it logical and engaging?
- Pacing: are there slow sections that lose attention?
- CTA: is there a clear action at the end?
- Length: is it appropriate for the target duration?

Provide:
- Overall score (1-10)
- Specific issues identified
- Line-by-line improvement suggestions

1.2 Hook Optimization

Prompt

Generate 5 hook alternatives for this video:

Current hook: [paste current opening]
Video topic: [topic]
Platform: [TikTok / Reels / Shorts]

Hook types to try:
1. Bold statement hook ("This is the biggest mistake...")
2. Question hook ("Have you ever wondered...")
3. Visual hook (describe opening shot)
4. Sound hook (describe audio opener)
5. Text hook (on-screen text suggestion)

For each hook:
- Full script
- Why it works
- Best visual to pair with it

1.3 Script Rewriting

Prompt

Rewrite this script for maximum engagement:

Original script: [paste script]
Target length: [15s / 30s / 60s]
Platform: [platform]
Goal: [educate / entertain / sell / inspire]

Rules:
- Front-load the value (no slow intros)
- Use short sentences (max 10 words per sentence)
- Include pattern interrupts every 5-10 seconds
- End with clear CTA

Output: optimized script with timing marks.

Step 1 Output

Improved script ready for editing, with timing and structure optimized.

Step 2 — Plan Pacing & Breakpoints

Design the edit rhythm for your video.

2.1 Pacing Map

Prompt

Create a pacing map for this video:

Script: [paste optimized script]
Total length: [X seconds]
Platform: [platform]

For each segment, specify:
- Start time - End time
- Content/dialogue in this segment
- Pacing: fast / medium / slow
- Cut type: hard cut / J-cut / L-cut / match cut
- Visual change needed: yes/no

General rules:
- Cut at least every 3-5 seconds for TikTok/Reels
- Vary pacing (don't keep same rhythm throughout)
- Speed up during information-heavy sections
- Slow down for emotional or emphasis moments

2.2 Breakpoint Marking

Prompt

Mark editing breakpoints for this video:

[paste script with timestamps]

For each breakpoint:
- Timestamp: [MM:SS]
- Cut type: [what kind of cut]
- Reason: [why cut here — new idea, emphasis, rhythm change]
- Visual: [what should change — angle, B-roll, text, effect]

Output: timeline with all cut points marked.

Step 2 Output

Complete pacing guide with marked breakpoints and cut recommendations.

Step 3 — Recommend Transitions & Effects

Suggest appropriate transitions between segments.

3.1 Transition Guide

Prompt

Recommend transitions for each cut point:

Video segments: [paste pacing map or script]

For each transition, specify:
- From: [previous segment end]
- To: [next segment start]
- Transition type: [cut / swipe / zoom / morph / whip / dissolve / none]
- Why: [reason for this transition choice]
- Effect (if any): [speed ramp, glitch, shake, etc.]

Rules:
- Default to simple cuts (90% of transitions)
- Use effects only for emphasis or style moments
- Match transition energy to content energy
- Avoid overusing fancy transitions

3.2 B-Roll & Visual Layer Suggestions

Prompt

Suggest B-roll and visual layers for this video:

Script: [paste script]

For each section where B-roll would help:
- Timestamp: [when]
- B-roll type: [product shot, screen recording, stock footage, reaction, etc.]
- Description: [what should be shown]
- Duration: [how long]
- Placement: [full screen / overlay / picture-in-picture]

Also suggest:
- Text overlays: [when and what]
- Stickers/emojis: [when and what]
- Visual effects: [when and what — zoom, highlight, blur, etc.]

Step 3 Output

Transition guide with B-roll and visual effect recommendations.

Step 4 — Design Audio & Music

Match audio elements to your video's mood and pacing.

4.1 Music Selection

Prompt

Suggest background music for this video:

Video mood: [energetic / calm / dramatic / funny / emotional]
Video pace: [fast / medium / slow]
Platform: [platform]
Content type: [educational / entertainment / promotional]

For each suggestion:
- Music style/genre
- BPM range (beats per minute)
- Energy level (1-10)
- Where to find it (CapCut library, Epidemic Sound, Artlist, etc.)
- Specific search terms to find similar tracks

Rules:
- Music should support, not overpower, the content
- Match BPM to editing pace
- Leave headroom for voiceover/dialogue

4.2 Sound Effects Guide

Prompt

Suggest sound effects for this video:

[paste script with timestamps]

For each SFX suggestion:
- Timestamp: [when]
- Effect type: [whoosh, pop, ding, bass hit, etc.]
- Purpose: [emphasis, transition, comedy, information]
- Volume level: [foreground / background / subtle]
- Source: [where to find — free SFX libraries]

Rules:
- Use SFX sparingly (2-5 per video max)
- SFX should feel natural, not forced
- Match SFX energy to visual energy

4.3 Audio Level Guide

Prompt

Create an audio level guide for this video:

Sections:
- Voiceover/dialogue: target [X] dB
- Background music: [X] dB below voice
- Sound effects: [X] dB relative to music
- Silent beats: [where and how long]

Audio rules:
- Voice should always be clear and dominant
- Duck music during speech (lower by 10-15 dB)
- Boost music slightly during visual-only sections
- Add silence before key moments for emphasis

Step 4 Output

Complete audio design blueprint with music, SFX, and level specifications.

Step 5 — Generate Subtitles

Create styled subtitles synchronized to your video.

5.1 Subtitle Generation

Prompt

Generate subtitles for this video:

Script: [paste script with timing]
Platform: [platform]
Style preference: [minimal / bold / animated / karaoke-style]

For each subtitle:
- Start time: [MM:SS.mmm]
- End time: [MM:SS.mmm]
- Text: [exact subtitle text]
- Style notes: [if any special formatting — bold words, color changes, etc.]

Rules:
- Max 2 lines per subtitle
- Max 15-20 characters per line (for mobile readability)
- Sync precisely with speech
- Highlight key words with bold or color

5.2 Subtitle Style Specification

Prompt

Design subtitle style for my videos:

Platform: [platform]
My brand style: [modern / playful / professional / minimal]

Specify:
- Font: [name or style — sans-serif, bold, handwritten, etc.]
- Size: [relative to screen — small/medium/large]
- Color: [hex code]
- Outline/stroke: [color, thickness]
- Background: [none / semi-transparent box / full bar]
- Position: [bottom 1/3 / center / top]
- Animation: [none / pop-in / word-by-word / karaoke]
- Emphasis style: [bold / color change / scale up / underline]

Save as my default subtitle style.

Step 5 Output

Styled subtitles ready to burn into your video.

Step 6 — Design Thumbnail & Cover

Create scroll-stopping cover images for your videos.

6.1 Cover Text Options

Prompt

Generate cover text options for this video:

Video topic: [topic]
Platform: [platform]
Key message: [main takeaway]

Generate 5 cover text options:
1. Curiosity hook: [text that makes people want to watch]
2. Bold claim: [attention-grabbing statement]
3. List format: "X ways to..."
4. Question format: "Do you make this mistake?"
5. Before/after: "From X to Y"

For each:
- Text (max 8 words for readability)
- Font size recommendation
- Text placement (top/center/bottom)
- Background treatment (blur, overlay, original)

6.2 Cover Composition Guide

Prompt

Design cover composition for this video:

Video content: [describe main visual]
Cover text: [selected text from above]
Platform: [platform]

Specify:
- Frame selection: [which moment to capture]
- Subject placement: [rule of thirds / center / off-center]
- Text placement: [position relative to subject]
- Color treatment: [original / high contrast / filtered / blurred BG]
- Visual hierarchy: [what the eye should see first, second, third]

Output: cover design specification that I can recreate in my editor.

Step 6 Output

Cover design specifications with text and composition guidelines.

Final Closed-Loop Video Editing Workflow

Script Analyzed → Pacing Planned → Transitions Mapped →
Audio Designed → Subtitles Generated → Cover Created →
Video Edited → Published → Performance Tracked → Edit Style Refined

Practical Usage Tips

1. Edit the hook first — if the first 3 seconds don't work, the rest doesn't matter
2. Watch your edit on a phone screen — that's where 90% of viewers will see it
3. Use the "3-second rule" — cut anything that doesn't advance the story within 3 seconds
4. Add subtitles to every video — 80% of social video is watched without sound
5. Match your edit pace to your music BPM — it creates a subconscious sense of rhythm
6. Export at platform-native resolutions (9:16 for TikTok/Reels/YouTube Shorts)
7. Save your best transitions and effects as presets — build your editing style over time
8. For TikTok growth strategy, see TikTok Growth Workflow
9. For YouTube content strategy, see YouTube Workflow