feat(skills): add video-to-gif conversion skill with FFmpeg two-pass optimization by agreaves-ms · Pull Request #247 · microsoft/hve-core

agreaves-ms · 2026-01-22T08:39:36Z

Pull Request

Description

This PR introduces a new video-to-gif skill with FFmpeg two-pass palette optimization, including HDR detection and tonemapping support. The skill provides cross-platform scripts (bash and PowerShell) for high-quality video-to-GIF conversion with customizable parameters for frame rate, width, dithering algorithms, and time range extraction.

Additionally, the PR simplifies the hve-core-installer agent by consolidating phases and streamlining the installation flow, removes MCP configuration documentation (moved to external guidance), refactors several PowerShell scripts for maintainability, and updates documentation links throughout the repository.

Key changes:

feat(video-to-gif): New skill with SKILL.md documentation, convert.sh (bash), and convert.ps1 (PowerShell) scripts
- Two-pass palette optimization for superior GIF quality
- Automatic HDR detection with tonemapping (hable, reinhard, mobius, bt2390)
- Workspace-first file search for convenient file discovery
- Configurable FPS, width, dithering, loop count, and time range extraction
refactor(installer): Simplified hve-core-installer.agent.md phase structure
- Removed MCP configuration guidance checkpoint
- Consolidated phases for clearer installation flow
- Extension Quick Install now goes directly to gitignore recommendation
docs: Updated documentation links from .github/CUSTOM-AGENTS.md to .github/README.md
- Updated references in README.md, first-workflow.md, install.md, and RPI documentation
refactor(scripts): Simplified PowerShell scripts by removing pure function patterns
- Removed dot-source entry point guards from Generate-PrReference.ps1, Package-Extension.ps1, Prepare-Extension.ps1, and Get-VerifiedDownload.ps1
- Deleted associated Pester test files (Generate-PrReference.Tests.ps1, Get-VerifiedDownload.Tests.ps1, Package-Extension.Tests.ps1, Prepare-Extension.Tests.ps1)
chore: Removed oldsha from cspell dictionary, updated extension/README.md with frontmatter

Related Issue(s)

Type of Change

Select all that apply:

Code & Documentation:

Bug fix (non-breaking change fixing an issue)
New feature (non-breaking change adding functionality)
Breaking change (fix or feature causing existing functionality to change)
Documentation update

Infrastructure & Configuration:

AI Artifacts:

Reviewed contribution with prompt-builder agent and addressed all feedback
Copilot instructions (.github/instructions/*.instructions.md)
Copilot prompt (.github/prompts/*.prompt.md)
Copilot agent (.github/agents/*.agent.md)

Note for AI Artifact Contributors:

Agents: Research, indexing/referencing other project (using standard VS Code GitHub Copilot/MCP tools), planning, and general implementation agents likely already exist. Review .github/agents/ before creating new ones.

Model Versions: Only contributions targeting the latest Anthropic and OpenAI models will be accepted. Older model versions (e.g., GPT-3.5, Claude 3) will be rejected.

See Agents Not Accepted and Model Version Requirements.

Other:

Script/automation (.ps1, .sh, .py)
Other (please describe):

Sample Prompts (for AI Artifact Contributions)

User Request:

Execution Flow:

Output Artifacts:

Success Indicators:

For detailed contribution requirements, see:

Common Standards: docs/contributing/ai-artifacts-common.md - Shared standards for XML blocks, markdown quality, RFC 2119, validation, and testing
Agents: docs/contributing/custom-agents.md - Agent configurations with tools and behavior patterns
Prompts: docs/contributing/prompts.md - Workflow-specific guidance with template variables
Instructions: docs/contributing/instructions.md - Technology-specific standards with glob patterns

GHCP Artifact Maturity

File	Type	Maturity	Notes
`.github/skills/video-to-gif/SKILL.md`	Skill	✅ stable	All builds

Testing

Checklist

Required Checks

Documentation is updated (if applicable)
Files follow existing naming conventions
Changes are backwards compatible (if applicable)

AI Artifact Contributions

Used /prompt-analyze to review contribution
Addressed all feedback from prompt-builder review
Verified contribution follows common standards and type-specific requirements

Required Automated Checks

The following validation commands must pass before merging:

Markdown linting: npm run lint:md
Spell checking: npm run spell-check
Frontmatter validation: npm run lint:frontmatter
Link validation: npm run lint:md-links
PowerShell analysis: npm run lint:ps

Security Considerations

This PR does not contain any sensitive or NDA information
Any new dependencies have been reviewed for security issues
Security-related scripts follow the principle of least privilege

Additional Notes

The video-to-gif skill requires FFmpeg to be installed on the system
HDR tonemapping requires FFmpeg 4.0+ with zscale filter (libzimg) support
Deleted MCP configuration documentation (docs/getting-started/mcp-configuration.md) as it was consolidated elsewhere
Test file deletions are intentional; the pure function patterns were removed from the scripts they tested

🎥 - Generated by Copilot

github-actions · 2026-01-22T08:40:00Z

Dependency Review

✅ No vulnerabilities or license issues or OpenSSF Scorecard issues found.

Scanned Files

None

bindsi

this is cool

Copilot

Pull request overview

This pull request introduces a new video-to-gif conversion skill with cross-platform FFmpeg-based scripts for high-quality GIF generation. The skill features two-pass palette optimization, automatic HDR detection with tonemapping, workspace-first file search, and extensive configuration options for frame rate, dimensions, dithering algorithms, and time-range extraction.

Additionally, the PR includes documentation updates, simplifies the hve-core-installer agent by consolidating phases, and refactors several PowerShell scripts by removing pure function patterns and their associated test files.

Changes:

New video-to-gif skill with comprehensive documentation and parallel bash/PowerShell implementations
Updated prompt-builder instructions to remove platforms/dependencies frontmatter requirement for skills
Documentation link updates from CUSTOM-AGENTS.md to README.md

Reviewed changes

Copilot reviewed 5 out of 5 changed files in this pull request and generated 6 comments.

Show a summary per file

File	Description
.github/skills/video-to-gif/SKILL.md	Main skill documentation with prerequisites, parameters reference, usage examples, and troubleshooting
.github/skills/video-to-gif/convert.sh	Bash implementation with HDR detection, workspace file search, and two-pass palette optimization
.github/skills/video-to-gif/convert.ps1	PowerShell implementation with parameter validation and parallel feature parity to bash version
.github/skills/video-to-gif/examples/README.md	Usage examples, test video generation, quality comparisons, and batch conversion patterns
.github/instructions/prompt-builder.instructions.md	Removed platforms/dependencies frontmatter requirement from skill characteristics

.github/skills/video-to-gif/scripts/convert.sh

.github/skills/video-to-gif/scripts/convert.ps1

.github/skills/video-to-gif/SKILL.md

.github/skills/video-to-gif/examples/README.md

.github/skills/video-to-gif/scripts/convert.sh

katriendg

First one added, nice!

A few things we need to add to backlog:

ensure we add it to the Extension once the API supports it (not sure yet)
add the settings requirement for enabling the experimental feature? Or is it already enabled by default now? "chat.useAgentSkills": true
enable skill configuration by the HVE code installer agent
document SKILLS in general, any settings and how to contribute

.github/skills/video-to-gif/scripts/convert.ps1

Copilot

Pull request overview

Copilot reviewed 5 out of 5 changed files in this pull request and generated 2 comments.

.github/skills/video-to-gif/SKILL.md

.github/skills/video-to-gif/examples/README.md

…port - implement bash and PowerShell scripts for video-to-GIF conversion - include two-pass optimization for better GIF quality - add HDR detection and tonemapping features - create usage examples and test video generation instructions 🎥 - Generated by Copilot

- implement multiple tonemapping algorithms: hable, reinhard, mobius, bt2390 - update scripts to support HDR detection and tonemapping selection - enhance documentation with tonemapping usage examples 🎨 - Generated by Copilot

- clarify how to include GIF in response using markdown - enhance user experience by allowing direct preview of GIFs 🔍 - Generated by Copilot

…meters - replace error messages with verbose output for better debugging - remove FrameRate and OutputWidth parameters from conversion functions 🔧 - Generated by Copilot

…ions

🔧 - Generated by Copilot

Copilot

Pull request overview

Copilot reviewed 5 out of 5 changed files in this pull request and generated 3 comments.

Copilot · 2026-01-22T10:14:32Z

.github/skills/video-to-gif/scripts/convert.sh

+    ffmpeg "${time_args[@]}" -i "${input_file}" \
+      -vf "${base_filter}" \
+      -loop "${loop}" -y "${output_file}"


When the time_args array is empty, the expansion "${time_args[@]}" will fail due to the 'set -u' option (unset variables treated as errors). Use "${time_args[@]+"${time_args[@]}"}" to safely expand an empty array, or check if the array has elements before expanding it.

Copilot · 2026-01-22T10:14:32Z

.github/skills/video-to-gif/scripts/convert.sh

+    ffmpeg "${time_args[@]}" -i "${input_file}" \
+      -vf "${base_filter},palettegen=stats_mode=diff" \
+      -y "${palette_file}"


When the time_args array is empty, the expansion "${time_args[@]}" will fail due to the 'set -u' option (unset variables treated as errors). Use "${time_args[@]+"${time_args[@]}"}" to safely expand an empty array, or check if the array has elements before expanding it.

Copilot · 2026-01-22T10:14:33Z

.github/skills/video-to-gif/scripts/convert.sh

+    ffmpeg "${time_args[@]}" -i "${input_file}" -i "${palette_file}" \
+      -filter_complex "${base_filter}[x];[x][1:v]paletteuse=dither=${dither}:diff_mode=rectangle" \
+      -loop "${loop}" -y "${output_file}"


When the time_args array is empty, the expansion "${time_args[@]}" will fail due to the 'set -u' option (unset variables treated as errors). Use "${time_args[@]+"${time_args[@]}"}" to safely expand an empty array, or check if the array has elements before expanding it.

🤖 I have created a release *beep* *boop* --- ## [2.0.0](hve-core-v1.1.0...hve-core-v2.0.0) (2026-01-28) ### ⚠ BREAKING CHANGES * **agents:** add Task Reviewer and expand RPI to 4-phase workflow ([#277](#277)) ### ✨ Features * **agents:** add hve-core-installer agent to extension package ([#297](#297)) ([c0e48c6](c0e48c6)) * **agents:** add Task Reviewer and expand RPI to 4-phase workflow ([#277](#277)) ([ae76cab](ae76cab)) * **build:** add code coverage reporting to Pester workflow ([#230](#230)) ([a34822a](a34822a)) * **docs:** add GOVERNANCE.md for OSSF Silver Badge compliance ([#235](#235)) ([b0e752c](b0e752c)) * **docs:** add ROADMAP.md for OSSF Silver badge compliance ([#238](#238)) ([4a41c16](4a41c16)) * **mcp:** add MCP server configuration guidance and installer enhancements ([#225](#225)) ([0bce418](0bce418)) * **scripts:** add YAML linting with actionlint ([#234](#234)) ([d9301f9](d9301f9)) * **security:** add OpenSSF Scorecard workflow and badge ([#271](#271)) ([7c6d788](7c6d788)) * **skills:** add video-to-gif conversion skill with FFmpeg two-pass optimization ([#247](#247)) ([8d65c42](8d65c42)) * **tests:** add Pester tests for LintingHelpers and Validate-MarkdownFrontmatter ([#197](#197), [#198](#198)) ([#205](#205)) ([51ae563](51ae563)) ### 🐛 Bug Fixes * **build:** detect table formatting changes via git diff ([#261](#261)) ([985eee0](985eee0)) * **build:** disable MD024 lint rule in CHANGELOG for release-please ([#220](#220)) ([971df94](971df94)) * **build:** quote shell variables and group redirects in workflow files ([#299](#299)) ([3372509](3372509)) * **build:** resolve scorecard badge and workflow security issues ([#301](#301)) ([aeaed13](aeaed13)) * **extension:** remove frontmatter from README and exclude from markdown linting ([#223](#223)) ([4272529](4272529)) * **instructions:** quote applyTo glob pattern for YAML compatibility ([#216](#216)) ([085199c](085199c)) * **scripts:** add FooterExcludePaths parameter to frontmatter validation ([#334](#334)) ([64db98d](64db98d)) * **scripts:** add GHSA word and logs/ exclusion to cspell config ([#214](#214)) ([5c99b3f](5c99b3f)) * **scripts:** correct type assertions in Invoke-YamlLint.Tests.ps1 ([#332](#332)) ([af7050d](af7050d)) * **scripts:** eliminate false positives in dependency pinning npm pattern ([#273](#273)) ([ccbdfa3](ccbdfa3)) * **security:** add artifact attestation for signed releases ([#257](#257)) ([c52d6e2](c52d6e2)) * standardize markdown footers and complete frontmatter ([#217](#217)) ([b4e7556](b4e7556)) ### 📚 Documentation * add OpenSSF Best Practices Passing badge to README ([#239](#239)) ([91bc529](91bc529)) * **architecture:** add architecture documentation and value proposition ([#252](#252)) ([0e4b02f](0e4b02f)) * **contributing:** add testing requirements for OSSF compliance ([#254](#254)) ([4db1a18](4db1a18)) * **docs:** add enterprise status badges to README header ([#270](#270)) ([ccb68a4](ccb68a4)) * **security:** add security assurance case and threat model for OSSF Silver ([#259](#259)) ([a390e26](a390e26)) ### ♻️ Refactoring * **application:** wrap execution with try blocks, ensure proper … ([#296](#296)) ([35c4417](35c4417)) * **scripts:** extract frontmatter validation to testable module ([#293](#293)) ([4e8707e](4e8707e)) * **scripts:** extract pure functions for Pester testability ([#221](#221)) ([d40e742](d40e742)) ### 🔧 Maintenance * **deps-dev:** bump cspell from 9.4.0 to 9.6.0 in the npm-dependencies group ([#208](#208)) ([855914b](855914b)) * **deps-dev:** bump cspell from 9.6.0 to 9.6.1 in the npm-dependencies group ([#294](#294)) ([1e45ad6](1e45ad6)) * **deps:** bump actions/setup-node from 6.1.0 to 6.2.0 in the github-actions group ([#209](#209)) ([c4c69e2](c4c69e2)) * **deps:** bump the github-actions group with 4 updates ([#295](#295)) ([d8337b8](d8337b8)) * remove step-security/harden-runner from workflows ([#246](#246)) ([c5708d8](c5708d8)) --- This PR was generated with [Release Please](https://github.com/googleapis/release-please). See [documentation](https://github.com/googleapis/release-please#release-please). Co-authored-by: hve-core-release-please[bot] <254602402+hve-core-release-please[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>

agreaves-ms requested a review from a team as a code owner January 22, 2026 08:39

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bindsi approved these changes Jan 22, 2026

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agreaves-ms added 6 commits January 22, 2026 10:20

feat(docs): update response format for GIF conversion skill

db07b91

- clarify how to include GIF in response using markdown - enhance user experience by allowing direct preview of GIFs 🔍 - Generated by Copilot

docs(video-to-gif): update response format for GIF conversion skill

e590e4d

refactor(video-to-gif): improve error handling and remove unused para…

d77f80a

…meters - replace error messages with verbose output for better debugging - remove FrameRate and OutputWidth parameters from conversion functions 🔧 - Generated by Copilot

refactor: moved scripts to scripts folder and updated prompt instruct…

5b6dda7

…ions

agreaves-ms force-pushed the feat/video-to-gif-skill branch from 75a3392 to 5b6dda7 Compare January 22, 2026 09:20

refactor(scripts): update script paths in documentation for clarity

c067954

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Copilot AI review requested due to automatic review settings January 22, 2026 10:09

Copilot started reviewing on behalf of agreaves-ms January 22, 2026 10:09 View session

agreaves-ms merged commit 8d65c42 into main Jan 22, 2026
19 checks passed

agreaves-ms deleted the feat/video-to-gif-skill branch January 22, 2026 10:11

hve-core-release-please bot mentioned this pull request Jan 22, 2026

chore(main): release hve-core 2.0.0 #212

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agreaves-ms commented Jan 22, 2026

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