Run a command. Get a GIF for your README or bug report.
cmdgif packages the ttysvg recorder with a small Node launcher. You do not need to build Rust or install a separate video converter. It records real terminal output, not your desktop screen.
Actual output of the bundled demo on Windows Server 2022, not a desktop screen capture.
Requires Node.js 24 or newer on Windows x64 or Apple Silicon macOS. The public package is a beta for short commands that exit on their own. Linux, Intel Macs and Windows ARM are not included in this version.
npx cmdgif@beta --demo
This runs a short, bundled Node example and saves demo.gif and demo.svg in a new demo-... folder. Nothing is uploaded.
Put the command after --:
npx cmdgif@beta -- node --version
To name the new output folder:
npx cmdgif@beta --out my-demo -- node --version
The folder must not already exist. cmdgif does not replace existing output files. Your command keeps its current working directory, arguments, environment and permissions. The GIF and SVG are saved when the command exits. A failing command can still produce a useful recording; its nonzero exit code is preserved.
On Windows, shell syntax such as pipes and redirects needs an explicit shell. A simple batch file worked in our Windows test, but that does not establish every npm shim or quoting combination. General interactive sessions, long-running servers and Ctrl+C are not supported claims in this beta.
Check both files for secrets and personal information. cmdgif does not automatically redact them or sandbox the recorded command. The recorder does not upload recordings, but the command you run can access files and the network with your permissions.
For a README, copy the GIF into your repository and reference it:
The capture and rendering engine is ttysvg, not a new encoder. cmdgif adds a bundled one-command npm entry point, a short demo, fresh output folders, and a small patch that returns the recorded command's exit status after saving.
Use ttysvg directly for its wizard, tape scripts, themes and other export options. cmdgif intentionally exposes fewer choices for a first recording. It does not claim to be faster or more capable than ttysvg.
The comparison lab includes a working PowerSession + agg Windows alternative and the exact limits of our synthetic checks. CI success is not independent user validation.
The modified ttysvg engine is based on commit b3d30f05a33c8fc90f0480e01d3c148ea11988cd, copyright Numan Khan, under MIT. Its notice and our exact patch are included as LICENSE.ttysvg and candidate.patch. The launcher is MIT. UPSTREAM.json identifies the inputs and native asset hashes; third-party notices are included separately. These binaries are our builds, not official ttysvg releases.
If cmdgif helps you share your work, a GitHub star is welcome. Recording never stars repositories or changes your GitHub account.
FAQs
Record a short command as GIF and SVG.
We found that cmdgif demonstrated a healthy version release cadence and project activity because the last version was released less than a year ago. It has 1 open source maintainer collaborating on the project.
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