A Claude Code plugin that gives AI coding assistants deep knowledge of the libvlc API (both 3.x and 4.x), the multimedia framework behind VLC media player.
LLMs frequently hallucinate libvlc API signatures, confuse 3.x and 4.x function names, and lack awareness of platform-specific integration patterns. This skill injects a structured, version-accurate ~3600-line reference directly into the LLM context so it can generate correct code the first time.
| Area | Base Claude | With Skill |
|---|---|---|
| libvlc 3.x basic API | Good general knowledge | Precise signatures, correct parameter names |
| libvlc 4.x API | Weak/incomplete (training cutoff issues) | Comprehensive, with exact signature changes |
| 3.x vs 4.x differences | Would likely confuse versions | Clear side-by-side with markers |
| Threading/deadlock rules | Knows the general concept | Per-language solutions with correct patterns |
| Sout chain syntax | Approximate knowledge | Exact syntax with tested recipes |
| Platform embedding (Win32/GTK/Qt) | General patterns | Full working samples from official VLC examples |
| LibVLCSharp specifics | General .NET patterns | Exact API (MediaPlayerElement, VideoView, callbacks) |
| Plugin discovery / VLC_PLUGIN_PATH | Likely incomplete | Detailed coverage from source code |
| GPU rendering pipeline (4.x) | Likely unknown | Full callback setup with D3D11 example |
| Parse flag value changes | Would likely use wrong values | Correct values for both versions |
The skill is a curated markdown reference that Claude Code loads automatically when your prompt mentions libvlc-related keywords. It covers every public API function with accurate signatures, version markers, code examples across 6 languages, and platform recipes. No external calls, no RAG, just precise context delivered when needed.
Trigger keywords: libvlc, libVLC, VLC SDK, LibVLCSharp, python-vlc, vlcj, vlcpp, or any VLC-based media playback, streaming, or transcoding prompt.
- API Reference for all libvlc domains (instance, media, playback, audio, video, events, tracks, etc.) with version-specific annotations
- Language bindings for C, C#/LibVLCSharp, Python, Java, Go, and C++
- Common workflows like basic playback, playlists, thumbnailing, recording, and track selection, with both 3.x and 4.x code examples
- Platform integration for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and embedded frameworks (WPF, WinForms, GTK, Qt, etc.)
- Streaming & transcoding recipes
- Troubleshooting for common pitfalls (deadlocks, threading, memory leaks)
- libvlc 4.x new APIs: GPU rendering pipeline, tracklist API, program API, watch time, A-B loop, picture/thumbnail request, concurrency primitives
- Migration guide with complete 3.x → 4.x mapping tables for function signatures, removed APIs, and type changes
Once installed, just ask naturally. The skill activates automatically:
> Write a C# app that plays a video file with LibVLCSharp
> How do I select an audio track in libvlc 4.x?
> Convert my python-vlc 3.x code to 4.x
Claude will use the full API reference to generate accurate, version-correct code with proper function signatures.
As a Claude Code plugin (recommended):
Clone the repo and add it as a plugin:
git clone https://github.com/mfkl/libvlc-skill.git
claude --plugin-dir ./libvlc-skillOr add it to your project's .claude/settings.json:
{
"plugins": ["path/to/libvlc-skill"]
}Manual (copy skills directly):
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills/libvlc
curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mfkl/libvlc-skill/main/skills/libvlc/SKILL.md -o ~/.claude/skills/libvlc/SKILL.md
curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mfkl/libvlc-skill/main/skills/libvlc/libvlc-skill.md -o ~/.claude/skills/libvlc/libvlc-skill.mdOther tools: Add skills/libvlc/libvlc-skill.md to your project's context or documentation directory so your AI assistant can reference it.
This plugin is built for Claude Code. The skill markdown files can also be used as context with any LLM tool that supports loading reference documents.
libvlc-skill/
├── .claude-plugin/
│ └── plugin.json # Plugin manifest
├── .github/
│ └── workflows/
│ └── verify-signatures.yml # Daily CI to verify API accuracy
├── skills/
│ └── libvlc/
│ ├── SKILL.md # Skill entrypoint with frontmatter
│ └── libvlc-skill.md # Full reference (~3600 lines)
└── README.md
This skill covers both libvlc 3.x (VLC 3.0.x) and libvlc 4.x (VLC 4.0+). Where APIs differ between versions, inline markers indicate which version applies:
- No marker: same in both versions
[3.x]: only in libvlc 3.x (removed in 4.x)[4.x]: new in libvlc 4.x[4.x change]: exists in both but signature changed
- LibVLCSharp - .NET/C# bindings for libvlc
- python-vlc - Python bindings for libvlc
- vlcj - Java bindings for libvlc
- libvlcpp - C++ bindings for libvlc
PRs welcome, especially for new language binding examples, 4.x API coverage, and platform-specific recipes. If you spot an incorrect API signature, please open an issue.
MIT
