>

Record Terminal GIFs With vhs

Write a .tape script and have vhs produce a reproducible terminal recording.

macOSTerminalmediascreen-recordingLow risk
Run vhs demo.tape to render the recording defined in the tape file.

01Command

Command
$ vhs demo.tape

02What it does

vhs reads a scripted tape of commands, keystrokes and timing, then drives a headless terminal and exports GIF, MP4 or WebM. Because it is scripted, demos can be regenerated after a UI change, unlike a one-off asciinema cast.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
CompatibilitymacOS with Homebrew installed
!Warning: It needs ffmpeg and a headless terminal tool installed; first runs download dependencies and may be slow.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • Homebrew formula: vhs
    Homebrew · vendor-doc · 2026-09-20
    Evidence: Your CLI home video recorder. Packages vhs, which scripts and records terminal sessions into GIFs, MP4s or WebMs.

Last verified: 2026-09-22 · Category: Media

06Related solutions

Change where screenshots are saved on Mac
macOSScreenshotTerminaldefaults

Point macOS screen captures at any folder you choose instead of the desktop.

Medium risk ✓ 2026-09-16
Download a file from a URL on Mac with curl
macOSTerminal

Grab any file from the web straight into the current folder — no browser needed.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-16
Find files larger than 500 MB on Mac
macOSFilesTerminal

List the biggest files in your home folder that are eating disk space.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-16