Using the vhs Command for Terminal Gifs (with examples)
1: Creating a Tape File
To create a tape file using the vhs command, you can use the following code:
vhs new path/to/file.tape
Motivation: Creating a tape file allows you to record and replay terminal commands, enabling you to easily capture and share your terminal session.
Explanation: The new subcommand is used to create a new tape file at the specified path. The path/to/file.tape is the location where you want to save the tape file. Make sure to provide a valid file path.
Example Output: The command will create a new tape file at the specified location (path/to/file.tape), ready to record terminal inputs.
2: Recording Inputs to a Tape File
To record inputs to a tape file, you can use the following code:
vhs record > path/to/file.tape
Motivation: Recording inputs to a tape file allows you to capture your terminal session and save it for later playback or sharing with others.
Explanation: The record subcommand is used to start recording terminal inputs. The > symbol is used to redirect the recorded inputs to the tape file. The path/to/file.tape is the location where you want to save the tape file. Make sure to provide a valid file path.
Example Output: As you enter commands in the terminal session, they will be recorded and saved in the tape file (path/to/file.tape). No immediate output will be shown in the terminal.
3: Recording Inputs to a Tape File with a Specific Shell
To record inputs to a tape file using a specific shell, you can use the following code:
vhs record --shell shell > path/to/file.tape
Motivation: Specifying a shell allows you to record terminal inputs using a specific shell, which can be useful when you want to capture specific shell-related behaviors or configurations.
Explanation: The record subcommand is used to start recording terminal inputs. The --shell shell flag is used to specify the shell you want to use for recording. Replace shell with the actual shell you want to use (e.g., bash, zsh, fish). The > symbol is used to redirect the recorded inputs to the tape file. The path/to/file.tape is the location where you want to save the tape file. Make sure to provide a valid file path.
Example Output: As you enter commands in the terminal session using the specified shell, they will be recorded and saved in the tape file (path/to/file.tape). No immediate output will be shown in the terminal.
4: Validating the Syntax of a Tape File
To validate the syntax of a tape file, you can use the following code:
vhs validate path/to/file.tape
Motivation: Validating the syntax of a tape file ensures that the recorded inputs are accurately represented and can be played back correctly.
Explanation: The validate subcommand is used to check the syntax of the tape file located at path/to/file.tape. The command will analyze the tape file and report any syntax errors or issues it encounters.
Example Output: If the tape file has a valid syntax, the command will output a confirmation message indicating that the tape file is valid. If there are any syntax errors, the command will display an error message explaining the issue that needs to be addressed.
5: Creating a Gif from a Tape File
To create a GIF from a tape file, you can use the following code:
vhs < path/to/file.tape
Motivation: Creating a GIF from a tape file allows you to generate an animated representation of your recorded terminal session, which can be easily shared or embedded in documentation.
Explanation: The vhs command is used to generate a GIF from a tape file. The input tape file is provided using the < symbol followed by the path to the tape file (path/to/file.tape). The GIF will be created based on the recorded inputs and displayed in the terminal.
Example Output: After running the command, a GIF will be generated and displayed in the terminal, showcasing the animated representation of the recorded terminal session.
6: Publishing a GIF and Getting a Shareable URL
To publish a GIF to https://vhs.charm.sh and obtain a shareable URL, you can use the following code:
vhs publish path/to/file.gif
Motivation: Publishing a GIF to https://vhs.charm.sh allows you to store and share your terminal session with others using a simple and accessible URL.
Explanation: The publish subcommand is used to upload a GIF to https://vhs.charm.sh. The path to the GIF file (path/to/file.gif) is provided as an argument. After successful publication, the command will return a shareable URL for accessing the GIF.
Example Output: The command will upload the GIF file (path/to/file.gif) to https://vhs.charm.sh and display a shareable URL that can be shared or used to access the published GIF.
