# Video Translator
Dub a video into another language and generate subtitles using the default Together +...
- Repository: https://github.com/shang-zhu/violin (1084 stars)
- Category: Git and review
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-09-04
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only
## Install
Claude Code: `npx skills add shang-zhu/violin --skill video-translator -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add shang-zhu/violin --skill video-translator -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add shang-zhu/violin --skill video-translator -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add shang-zhu/violin --skill video-translator -g -a gemini-cli -y`
## Description
Dub a video into another language and generate subtitles using the default Together + Cartesia stack. Trigger when the user wants to translate / dub / voice-over a video file, or generate subtitles for it. Handles `.mp4` / `.mkv` / `.webm`. Installs as the `violin` CLI (and `violin-api` for the FastAPI server) via `uv tool install`. For alternative models (OpenAI / ElevenLabs) or custom configs, point the user to the repo: https://github.com/shang-zhu/violin.
## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)
# Violin, operating skill
Always uses the default config (Together for translation, `cartesia/sonic-3` for TTS). If the user asks for OpenAI, ElevenLabs, or custom configs, **stop and point them to the Violin repo**, those flows aren't supported through the global CLI.
## Pre-flight
Run these silently first. Abort if any fails:
```bash
command -v violin # 1. CLI on PATH
test -f "" # 2. Input exists
printenv TOGETHER_API_KEY # 3. Key available
```
If `violin` is missing: tell the user to `uv tool install violin`, then `violin --install-skill` to refresh this skill file. Do not auto-install.
If `TOGETHER_API_KEY` is missing:
- Inside the Violin repo → populate `.env` (auto-loaded)
- Elsewhere → `export TOGETHER_API_KEY=...` in `~/.zshrc` / `~/.bashrc`, then `source` it
## Decisions
- **CLI vs API**: single run-and-wait file → CLI (`violin`). Multi-job / HTTP / web UI → API server (`violin-api`); print the command, don't auto-start it.
- **Style** (`--style`): default `standard`. Kids content → `kids`, formal/lecture → `academic`, casual → `casual`, dramatic → `storyteller`, news → `news`. Run `violin --style list` if unsure.
- **Voiceover**: keep default (mix dubbed audio over a quiet original). Use `--no-voiceover` only when the user explicitly says "replace audio entirely".
## Run
```bash
violin