Auto generate a capcut file

Hi,

Yes, it is technically possible to auto-generate a CapCut project file (.capcut or more commonly a project folder) by scripting but there are limitations due to the proprietary nature of CapCut.

How CapCut project files work?

CapCut doesn't use a single .capcut file like .prproj (Premiere) or .fcpxml (Final Cut). Instead:

• It stores projects in folders with multiple JSON files and subfolders (like assets, effects, thumbnails, etc.).

• Each JSON file describes layers, clips, timing, transitions, text, and audio metadata.

What you can do (with scripting):

If you reverse-engineer a CapCut project (exported locally), you can:

1. Parse the JSON structure of an existing CapCut project.

2. Write a Python or Node.js script to:

   • Load a folder of images, sounds, or videos

   • Inject text elements (titles, captions)

   • Specify durations, transitions, effects

   • Export the same JSON structure into a new folder

CapCut will read the folder as a new project (if placed in the right location, e.g., CapCut/projects/).

Experimental workflow using Python

Here is a simplified idea of how this can work:

import json
import uuid
import os
from shutil import copyfile

def generate_capcut_project(project_name, assets_folder, output_folder):
    os.makedirs(output_folder, exist_ok=True)

    # Generate base structure
    project_json = {
        "project_id": str(uuid.uuid4()),
        "name": project_name,
        "clips": [],
        "audio": [],
        "texts": []
    }

    # Add images as video clips
    for i, file in enumerate(sorted(os.listdir(assets_folder))):
        if file.endswith(".jpg") or file.endswith(".png"):
            clip = {
                "id": str(uuid.uuid4()),
                "type": "image",
                "file": file,
                "start": i * 3,  # seconds
                "duration": 3
            }
            project_json["clips"].append(clip)
            copyfile(os.path.join(assets_folder, file), os.path.join(output_folder, file))

    # Save the mock JSON project (this won't open directly unless CapCut accepts it)
    with open(os.path.join(output_folder, "project.json"), "w") as f:
        json.dump(project_json, f, indent=2)

    print(f"CapCut project generated in: {output_folder}")

This would require placing the output in the proper CapCut project directory structure manually.

Limitations

• CapCut doesn't officially document its project format, so this is all reverse-engineering.

• Changes in CapCut versions may break compatibility with generated files.

• If you are using CapCut Web or Mobile, the project format is even more tightly controlled and encrypted in some cases.

• CapCut Teams or Cloud Sync may overwrite or ignore manually created projects.

Alternative: CapCut template automation

If you are trying to mass-generate videos with text/images/audio for social media, a better approach will be:

• Use CapCut web templates + scripts to batch upload assets (if API access is provided).

• Or use FFmpeg or Runway/Remotion/After Effects scripting for server-side video generation.

You can download a CapCut-like JSON project template:

What’s inside:

• 3 image clips added sequentially (3s each)

• 2 text overlays appearing in sync with images

• 1 background audio track spanning 9 seconds

This structure simulates how CapCut layers are organized including video, text, and audio tracks.

If you really want serious automation, consider:

• Luma AI, Runway, or Pictory with their APIs

• Or Adobe Express Video API for generating projects from scripts

CapCut does offer a few features that use AI to automate parts of the video creation process:

• Script to Video: You can paste a script, and CapCut's AI will generate a video with matching scenes, music, and voiceovers using stock footage.

• AI Video Generator: You can enter a topic or idea, and the AI will help you create a video scene-by-scene, including generating scripts and even using AI avatars.

• AutoCut: This feature automatically cuts a long video into shorter clips and can apply a ready-made template to your media.

While these features don't allow for the precise, scripted control you're asking for, they do provide some level of automation for video creation within the CapCut application.