Free Codex workflow

Edit videos with 3 prompts.

Turn a reference video into a practical style guide, then use that guide to edit your own raw footage in an editable Remotion project.

Get the prompts
1
Extract the reference

Create timestamped PNG frames and contact sheets from an edit you like.

2
Build the rules

Analyze the captions, cuts, motion, pacing, transitions and sound.

3
Edit your footage

Apply the guide to your footage, assets and brand preferences, then iterate.

Copy, paste, customize

The complete workflow

Replace every item in square brackets with your own file path or preference. Run the prompts in order so Codex has the context it needs for the edit.

1

Extract the reference into frames

Creates the visual evidence Codex will analyze.

The reference video is here: [VIDEO PATH].

Use FFmpeg to extract every frame into a numbered PNG sequence, preserving the original resolution and frame order. Keep the source video untouched.

Save everything in a new “reference-analysis” folder:
- PNG frames with zero-padded filenames.
- An index mapping each filename to its source timestamp.
- Contact sheets with timestamps so we can quickly review the video.
- A metadata file with the resolution, duration, frame rate and frame count.

Check available storage before extracting. If the video uses variable frame rate, preserve its actual frame timestamps rather than assuming a constant frame rate.

Verify the extraction and tell me where the files are saved.

Before running: replace [VIDEO PATH] with the full local path to your downloaded reference video.

2

Create the editing style guide

Turns the reference into reusable editing rules.

Study the reference video and the extracted frames here:
[REFERENCE-ANALYSIS FOLDER].

Create a practical editing style guide that we can use to recreate this visual language on my own footage.

Analyze:
- Opening hook and overall structure.
- Shot lengths, cuts, pacing and changes in visual energy.
- Caption font, size, weight, spacing, color, placement and timing.
- Text entrances, exits, emphasis and how words build on screen.
- B-roll, screen recordings, graphics and app logos.
- Transitions, zooms, framing and subject cutouts.
- Color grading, contrast, shadows and background treatments.
- Music and sound-effect placement, where audio inspection is available.

Review consecutive frames around animations and transitions—not just isolated screenshots. Use the source video and audio to assess timing and sound. Clearly distinguish observations from estimates, and flag anything you cannot verify.

Include timestamped examples and concrete implementation settings. If the exact font or effect cannot be identified, suggest a close alternative and label it as an approximation.

Save the result as STYLE-GUIDE.md, including a checklist for reviewing future edits.

Extract the editing principles, not the creator’s wording, branding or footage.

Before running: replace [REFERENCE-ANALYSIS FOLDER] with the folder created by Prompt 1.

3

Edit your footage with the guide

Builds an editable first draft for review.

Edit my raw footage using this style guide:
[STYLE-GUIDE PATH].

My project folder is here:
[PROJECT FOLDER PATH].

It contains my raw footage and the supporting assets I want you to use.

First, inspect the folder and identify the footage, music, B-roll, screen recordings, logos and sound effects. Use only available assets; flag anything missing.

Create an editable Remotion project and follow this process:

1. Transcribe and review the raw footage. Remove abandoned takes, repeated words, mistakes and unnecessary pauses. Preserve my meaning, complete words and natural delivery. Check short sections around suspected retakes rather than relying only on the transcript.

2. Build the rough cut and synchronize the captions to the edited timeline.

3. Apply the style guide: typography, graphics, animation, transitions, pacing and color treatment. Adapt it to my footage rather than forcing every reference effect into the video.

4. Add relevant B-roll and screen recordings where they support what I’m saying. Keep important screen content readable. Show supplied app logos when those apps are mentioned.

5. Add the supplied music underneath my voice and use sound effects selectively for meaningful emphasis or transitions.

6. Check caption readability, safe areas, spelling, audio levels, cut boundaries and synchronization. Inspect representative rendered frames and review motion sequences where possible. State anything you could not verify.

Keep all source files untouched. Preserve previous versions and save a short change log.

Target format: [ASPECT RATIO AND RESOLUTION].
My preferences: [BRAND COLORS, CAPTION RULES, FRAMING AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS].

Build the first draft and open a preview for review. Do not publish anything or export the final MP4 until I approve it.

Before running: add the style-guide path, project-folder path, target dimensions and your brand preferences.

Expect to iterate.

These prompts make the inputs, constraints and review criteria clear. Watch the first draft, give precise notes and let Codex produce another version until the edit is ready.

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