In short:
ak-media-processingpicks the right command-line tool for media work: FFmpeg for video and audio, ImageMagick for still images, RMBG for AI background removal that runs on your machine. It keeps the original file unless you allow overwriting, and checks the output file before reporting done.
Disclosure: I maintain AgentKit and have an affiliate relationship with it: the AgentKit link in this post is an affiliate link; buying through it gets you 30% off.
Summary
Use it when you need to compress a video for the web, make an image set in several sizes, remove the background from product photos, create an HLS stream, or get a GIF and a thumbnail from a video. The machine needs FFmpeg, ImageMagick and rmbg-cli installed.
flowchart LR
A["Media file to process"] --> B["ak-media-processing"]
B --> C["New file checked, original intact"]
B --> D["Many assets to sort: call an installed sorting skill"]
C --> E["You use the file in your project"]
D --> EFour concepts to know:
| Concept | Question | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A tool for each job | Does this run on FFmpeg, ImageMagick or RMBG? | A thumbnail from a video uses FFmpeg, resizing 200 images uses ImageMagick, cutting out a shirt photo uses RMBG |
| The original file | Is the original overwritten? | Not by default; resizing a whole folder puts the new images in a separate folder such as optimized/ |
| Where output goes | Where does the new file live? | Write "save to public/videos/" and it saves exactly there; otherwise it follows the repo's usual location |
| Check the output | How do you know the output is right? | Video: codec, resolution and duration via ffprobe; images: size and metadata via identify |
For video, it prefers copying streams as is when only the container changes, and only re-encodes when the codec, quality or a precise cut requires it.
Sample prompt for compressing a video for the web:
/ak-media-processing <video name>.mov compress for the web.
Outcome: an H.264 MP4 file that plays while it is still loading.
Save to: public/videos/
Constraints: keep the original file, keep the current resolution.
Done when: the codec, resolution and duration of the new file are reported.This skill has no flags.
Below is the detailed version: the run flow, 5 situations with prompts, the change history by ak release, and common pitfalls. The detailed version and the interactive page are for subscribers. Your agent can also search them through the portal's MCP.
Opens when your account has subscriber access
This guide is for subscribers
Once your account has access, the full piece, the interactive visual and the agent call all open.
- Sign in or create a modernEngineer accountReading access belongs to your account email.
- Choose a plan on the pricing page1, 3 or 12 months, paid by VietQR bank transfer. Access opens about a minute after the money arrives.
- Or redeem a Facebook subscriber codePeople supporting the page on Facebook get an activation code by message each month.
Already a subscriber? Sign in to read.
Use this piece in your agent
Get an API keyCopy the text below and paste it into Claude Code, Codex or whichever agent you use. The agent reads the piece and checks it against the repo you have open.
Read "ak-media-processing: process video, images and backgrounds from the command line" on modernEngineer and apply it to this repo.
1. Call the content_get tool of the modernengineer MCP server with locale "en", slug "ak-media-processing". If the modernengineer MCP server is not connected, stop and walk me through connecting it from https://modernengineer.dev/en/mcp.
2. Summarize the main steps of the piece and point out which apply to this repo.
3. Propose concrete changes and ask me before editing any file.Connect MCP in Claude Code (once)
claude mcp add --transport http modernengineer \
https://api.modernengineer.dev/mcp \
--header "Authorization: Bearer <API key>"Reading the full piece over MCP needs an API key from a subscriber account or one that bought this guide. Without access, the agent only gets the opening.
- Version
- v1.0.0
- Updated
- 22/10/2026
- Licence
- All rights reserved
- Slug
- ak-media-processing
