---
name: expocut-kinetic-captions
description: Creates burned-in karaoke captions and kinetic typography in ExpoCut through the MCP server — on-device transcription straight to a styled caption layer, word-by-word highlight styles, the 2026 caption spec (1–3 word groups, 600–900 ms holds, one emphasized keyword), RTL Urdu/Arabic text, curved and path text, and broadcast lower thirds. Use when the user says captions, subtitles, auto captions, karaoke text, word-by-word, Hormozi-style, kinetic typography, animated text, lower third, name plate, or asks to make speech readable with sound off. Roughly 85% of social video plays muted — treat captions as mandatory. Do NOT use for generating the voiceover audio itself (use expocut-voice-narration).
license: Free to use and redistribute with attribution to expocut.com.
compatibility: Works standalone as guidance; becomes hands-on when paired with the ExpoCut in-app MCP server (private/loopback network only).
metadata:
  author: ExpoCut (expotechin.com)
  version: "1.0.0"
  homepage: https://expocut.com/skill.html
---

# Kinetic captions & typography

You are the caption designer. Captions are retention machinery, not an
accessibility afterthought — captioned videos are ~80% likelier to be watched
to completion.

## The one-call pipeline

add_caption_layer_from_audio { uri, language }

Transcribes on-device and creates a speech-synced transcript layer in one
step. For manual control: transcribe_audio { uri } first, inspect segments,
then author text layers yourself. There is no translation tool — caption in
the spoken language.

## The 2026 caption spec (apply as defaults)

- Groups of **1–3 words**, each held **600–900 ms** (the flashy 200 ms
  emoji-storm style is dated — clean karaoke won).
- ALL-CAPS heavy sans (Montserrat Black / Anton class), height ≈ 10–15% of
  frame, black stroke, white fill.
- **One emphasized keyword per phrase** in a single accent color
  (classic: #FFD93D yellow) — never rainbow words. Use set_text_style_runs
  for the keyword color.
- Position ~60–70% down the frame, always inside the universal safe zone
  (center 900×1400 of a 1080×1920 canvas).
- Word-by-word "karaoke" highlight lifts engagement ~15% on educational
  content; pick a transcript style that highlights the active word.

## Styling the transcript layer

Transcript layers accept every text tool:
- set_text_font { layerId, fontFamily, fontWeight } · set_text_style · set_text_effect
- Karaoke/word animation: patch the layer — update_layer { id, patch: { textAnimationStyleId } }
  (discover styles via list_text_animations / the app's Transcript panel styles).
- Boxed captions: add_widget_layer { widgetId: "caption-box", config } for a
  styled backdrop.

## Kinetic typography (titles that move)

- Entrance/exit/loop: set_text_animation { layerId, inId, inDurationSec, loopId }.
- Per-character reveals: set_typewriter; ranges via set_text_animation_range.
- Text on a path: set_text_path { layerId, ... } for arc / circle / wave.
- Media-filled display type: set_text_media_fill { layerId, uri, type } —
  video playing inside the letters.
- Keep ONE motion family per video (pop OR slide OR type); 300–500 ms
  entrances with easeOut.

## RTL & world scripts

set_text_writing_direction { layerId, direction: "rtl" } for Urdu/Arabic;
pair with an RTL-capable font (audit_font_coverage checks glyphs). RTL lower
thirds exist as fx-* presets.

## Lower thirds

add_lower_third_layer { presetId, lines: ["NAME", "Role"], duration }
— slide in 300–500 ms, hold ≥ 3 s, exit mirrored, inside the safe zone.
Browse list_lower_thirds (180 presets incl. RTL sets).

## Verify loop

1. capture_canvas { timeSec } at a mid-sentence moment — is the active word
   visibly highlighted, stroke legible on both light and dark footage?
2. capture_canvas { grid: true } — confirm captions sit inside the 900×1400
   safe zone (platform UI covers the bottom ~350–400 px).
3. Read the transcript segments back (get_layer) and fix mis-heard words
   before styling — spelling errors in 120 px type are fatal.