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Getting started

Install

brew install mhadifilms/tap/dvr

pip install dvr                  # includes CLI, Python library, and MCP server
# or: pipx install dvr
# or: uv tool install dvr

git clone https://github.com/mhadifilms/dvr
cd dvr
pip install -e ".[dev]"

Requirements

  • Python 3.10+ — matches DaVinci Resolve's embedded Python on current versions
  • DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.5+ — see below
  • macOS, Windows, or Linux

Resolve Studio is required

External scripting is a Studio-only feature. Blackmagic restricted the scripting API to the paid version starting in Resolve 19.1 — the free edition's External scripting using preference no longer accepts Local.

Studio costs $295 as a perpetual one-time license, or $30/month per seat via Blackmagic Cloud. If you only have the free edition, dvr will raise ScriptingDisabledError when trying to connect. The schema and inspection commands still work in --dry-run mode for evaluation.

dvr auto-discovers Resolve's scripting library on each platform. No environment variables are needed for typical installs. If yours is non-standard, set RESOLVE_SCRIPT_LIB to the absolute path of fusionscript.so / fusionscript.dll.

Verify the connection

Open DaVinci Resolve, then run:

dvr ping

You should see something like:

{
  "connected": true,
  "version": "20.3.1",
  "product": "DaVinci Resolve Studio"
}

If you get a ScriptingDisabledError, open Resolve's preferences:

  1. Preferences → System → General
  2. Set External scripting using to Local
  3. Quit and re-launch Resolve

Your first command

Inspect the current state of Resolve:

dvr inspect

Switch to a page:

dvr page deliver

List your projects:

dvr project list

Create a project (idempotent — safe to re-run):

dvr project ensure MyShow

Get a structured snapshot of the current timeline:

dvr timeline inspect

Next steps