Design an n8n workflow (I run [self hosted n8n with FFmpeg installed / n8n cloud]) that:
1. Triggers when a new video lands in [Google Drive folder / YouTube channel / S3 bucket].
2. Gets a transcript with word timestamps.
3. Picks [3] candidate clips of 20 to 45 seconds that work without context.
4. Cuts them with FFmpeg, reframes to 9:16 and burns one line captions.
5. Saves the clips to [folder] and sends me a message in [Slack or email] with the links and the first line of each clip.
6. Never posts anything publicly. A human approves every clip.
First give me the node list in order, what each node does, and which credentials I need. Point out which steps need self hosted n8n. Only after I approve, write the workflow JSON I can import.
Before you run it Fill in anything in [brackets]. If it edits a project, use a duplicate and read the agent's plan before you say go
Sources and credit
Written by AgentCut. Free to copy, edit and use in your own projects
On the timeline "[TIMELINE NAME]" only (it is a duplicate, the original is safe):
1. Find every pause longer than [0.6] seconds on the dialogue track [A1].
2. Do NOT cut yet. Add a red marker at the start of each pause, named "PAUSE <length>s".
3. Report: number of pauses, total time they add up to, and the 5 longest with timecodes.
After I review the markers and say go:
4. Remove each marked pause, keeping 4 frames of handle on both sides so words are not clipped.
5. Ripple the gaps closed on all tracks together so B roll and music stay in sync with dialogue. If a cut would break a clip on another track, skip it and mark it "SKIPPED: overlap".
6. Tell me the old and new duration and how many cuts you made.
Create captions for the timeline "[TIMELINE NAME]".
1. Use the app's own transcription if this tool supports it, otherwise transcribe the dialogue track locally and build an SRT.
2. Caption rules:
- max [42] characters per line, max 2 lines (vertical video: 1 line, max 28)
- reading speed under 20 characters per second
- each caption on screen between 0.8 and 6 seconds
- never split a name, a number and its unit, or an adjective and its noun across lines
3. Correct these names and terms exactly as written: [Name One, Brand Two, Product Three].
4. Import the captions as a caption or subtitle track, not as burned in graphics.
5. Apply the style: [font], [size], white text, [outline or box], bottom center, inside the title safe area.
6. List the 5 captions you are least sure about with timecodes so I can check them.
Source: [FILE OR TIMELINE]. Goal: [5] vertical clips, each [20 to 45] seconds.
1. Transcribe the source with word timestamps.
2. Find moments that work with no context, start with a strong first line in the first 2 seconds, and end on a finished thought.
3. Give me a table: start, end, length, first line, last line, one sentence on why it works. Give me [8] options so I can choose.
4. Wait for my picks.
5. For each pick: cut frame accurate, reframe to 1080x1920 keeping the speaker's face in the upper third, add one line captions kept out of the bottom 20% of the frame.
6. Name files `short_<number>_<first three words>.mp4` and give me a list with a suggested title for each.
Do not promise views. Just tell me why each clip might hold attention.
Set up renders for the timeline "[TIMELINE NAME]". Do not start rendering until I confirm.
Deliverables:
1. Master: [ProRes 422 HQ], source resolution and fps, stereo audio. Name: [PROJECT]_master_[DATE].mov
2. YouTube: H.264, 1920x1080, source fps, high bitrate. Name: [PROJECT]_youtube.mp4
3. Social square: 1080x1080, center framed. Name: [PROJECT]_1x1.mp4
4. Vertical: 1080x1920, use the "Vertical" timeline if it exists, otherwise ask me. Name: [PROJECT]_9x16.mp4
5. Audio only: WAV 48 kHz 24 bit. Name: [PROJECT]_mix.wav
Steps:
- Add each one to the render queue with the exact settings above and the output folder [PATH].
- Show me a table of the queued jobs with codec, resolution, fps and file name.
- After I say go, render, then report each file's size and duration and flag any that do not match the timeline duration.
In the project "[PROJECT NAME]" media pool or bin "[IMPORT BIN]":
1. Read the metadata of every clip: file name, date, camera or device, resolution, fps, duration, has audio.
2. Propose a bin structure first, for example:
01_VIDEO / <shoot day> / <camera>
02_AUDIO / <recorder>
03_GRAPHICS
04_MUSIC
05_STILLS
99_CHECK (anything you are not sure about)
3. Propose new clip names in the form [DAY]_[CAMERA]_[SCENE or subject]_[NUMBER], for example D1_A_Interview_003. Show me a sample of 10 before and after.
4. Rename the clip names inside the project only. Never rename, move or delete files on disk.
5. Flag clips that do not match the project fps or that have no audio when the others do.
6. Report how many clips went into each bin.
In the open After Effects project, create a new comp "LT_Name_Title", 1920x1080, [29.97] fps, 6 seconds.
Build:
1. A thin accent bar (shape layer, [accent color hex]) at the bottom left, inside the title safe area (at least 96 px from the left and bottom edges).
2. Text layer "NAME" in [font], 54 px, near black or white depending on [light or dark] background.
3. Text layer "Title or role" in the same font, 32 px, 70% opacity, 8 px under the name.
4. Animation in: bar scales X from 0 to 100% over 10 frames, name slides 24 px from the left and fades in over 12 frames starting at frame 4, title follows 4 frames later. Easy ease out on all entrance keyframes.
5. Hold until 1 second before the end, then animate out in reverse over 8 frames.
6. Add a Null or controller layer with Slider and Color controls for accent color, bar width and text offset, and link them with expressions.
7. Put the text layers in Essential Graphics so the name and title can be edited from Premiere.
Before you start, list the layers you will create. After you finish, render one frame at 1 second and at 3 seconds so I can check it.