# Technical Documentation: OpenCut-app/OpenCut

> ℹ️ **Provenance:** Multi-Tier Ingestion · [CodeWiki Reference](https://codewiki.google/github.com/OpenCut-app/OpenCut)

### Overview (`README.md`)

<table width="100%">
  <tr>
    <td align="left" width="120">
      <img src="https://assets.opencut.app/branding/symbol.svg" alt="OpenCut Logo" width="100" />
    </td>
    <td align="right">
      <h1>OpenCut</h1>
      <h3 style="margin-top: -10px;">A free and open source video editor for web, desktop, and mobile.</h3>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>

[](https://discord.gg/zmR9N35cjK)
[](https://x.com/opencutapp)
[](LICENSE)

## Status

**OpenCut is being rewritten from the ground up.** What's coming:

- An Editor API
- First-class third party plugins (made possible by a plugin-first architecture)
- Desktop, mobile, and browser from one codebase (Rust core)
- MCP server (for AI agents)
- Headless mode (automation, batch rendering)
- A scripting tab directly in the editor

You can still find the previous version at [opencut-app/opencut-classic](https://github.com/opencut-app/opencut-classic), which is the one to reach for today. [opencut.app](https://opencut.app) still runs the classic version. The rewrite will live at [new.opencut.app](https://new.opencut.app) until it's ready to take over.

## Development

Install [proto](https://moonrepo.dev/proto) if you haven't already:

**Linux, macOS, WSL:**

```sh
bash <(curl -fsSL https://moonrepo.dev/install/proto.sh)
```

**Windows (PowerShell):**

```powershell
irm https://moonrepo.dev/install/proto.ps1 | iex
```

If shims fail to run, allow local scripts for your user:

```powershell
Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned
```

From the repo root:

```sh
proto use    # installs the tools pinned in .prototools
```

```sh
moon run web:dev       # localhost:5173
moon run api:dev       # localhost:8787
moon run desktop:dev   # see apps/desktop/README.md
```

## Contributing

We're not set up to take outside contributions yet while the architecture is being designed. If you want to follow along, ask questions, or just hang out, [join the Discord](https://discord.gg/zmR9N35cjK) or [open an issue](https://github.com/opencut-app/opencut/issues).

## Sponsors

OpenCut is supported by companies that believe in open source creator tools.

- [**fal.ai**](https://fal.ai?utm_source=github-opencut&utm_campaign=oss): Generative image, video, and audio models all in one place.

Want your logo here? Reach out at [sponsor@opencut.app](mailto:sponsor@opencut.app).

## License

[MIT](LICENSE)

---

### Overview (`apps/desktop/README.md`)

# OpenCut Desktop

Built with [GPUI](https://www.gpui.rs).

> [!WARNING]
> Very early. Right now this is just a window that opens.

## Running

Rust is pinned in `.prototools` at the repo root (`proto use` installs it).

```sh
moon run desktop:dev     # cargo run
moon run desktop:check   # cargo check
moon run desktop:build   # cargo build --release
```

The first build compiles GPUI from source and takes a while. The root `Cargo.lock` is committed.

## Platform requirements

- **macOS**: Xcode command line tools (Metal renderer).
- **Windows**: no extra dependencies (Win32 + DirectWrite).
- **Linux**: renders via Vulkan (Blade), windows via Wayland or X11 (both enabled by default). System packages (Debian/Ubuntu names): `libvulkan1` + working Vulkan drivers, `libwayland-dev`, `libx11-xcb-dev`, `libxkbcommon-x11-dev`, `libfontconfig-dev`, plus a C toolchain and `cmake`.
- **WSL2/WSLg**: uses XWayland automatically when available. GPUI 0.2.2 requires `xdg_wm_base` v2–5, while WSLg advertises v1.

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- Canonical Reference: https://codewiki.google/github.com/OpenCut-app/OpenCut