Noureddine RAMDI / AutoSubs: cross-platform automated subtitle generation with DaVinci Resolve integration

Created Mon, 04 May 2026 10:23:02 +0000 Modified Sat, 23 May 2026 20:41:27 +0000
1022 Words
github-stars typescript cross-platform subtitle audiotranscription davinci-resolve desktop-app

tmoroney/auto-subs

Auto-subs is one of those tools that addresses a familiar pain point: the tedious manual work of creating subtitles for audio and video content. If you’ve ever had to transcribe interviews, podcasts, or video clips, you know how time-consuming it can be to sync text accurately with speech. AutoSubs stands out by offering an automated subtitle generation experience that works across Windows, macOS, and Linux, with the added bonus of integrating directly into DaVinci Resolve workflows.

What AutoSubs does and how it works

At its core, AutoSubs is a TypeScript-based application designed to convert speech in audio or video files into editable subtitles. It supports two primary modes of operation: a standalone app and a plugin mode that integrates with DaVinci Resolve, a professional video editing suite.

The standalone mode lets you import any audio or video file, pick your transcription model along with language or translation preferences, and then run the transcription process. Once complete, you can edit speaker labels and subtitle text within the app before exporting in various formats like SRT or plain text. This mode is a straightforward, user-friendly way to generate subtitles without leaving the app.

The DaVinci Resolve mode embeds AutoSubs as a script within the editor. It allows you to select a timeline or audio source directly from Resolve and transcribe it without manual export-import steps. Post transcription, you can adjust speakers and subtitles, then send styled subtitles back into your DaVinci Resolve project timeline. This seamless pipeline saves a lot of back-and-forth and fits neatly into professional editing workflows.

Under the hood, the project is built in TypeScript, which suggests it’s likely using Node.js or Electron for the desktop app framework, though the README doesn’t specify the exact runtime. The multilingual transcription and translation support hint at integration with existing speech recognition and translation models, but the repo focuses on the UI and workflow integration side more than the underlying ML models.

What makes AutoSubs technically interesting

AutoSubs is noteworthy for how it balances cross-platform compatibility with integration into a professional toolchain. Supporting Windows, macOS, and Linux out of the box with packaged installers for each platform shows attention to developer and user experience.

One key technical strength is the dual-mode operation. Building both a standalone app and a DaVinci Resolve script that can communicate with the host editor is non-trivial. It requires careful handling of different contexts — the standalone has a full UI and file selection flow, while the Resolve mode must interact with Resolve’s scripting API and timeline data structures.

The codebase’s use of TypeScript ensures type safety and maintainability across these complex workflows. The README points out that the app does not work with the Mac App Store version of DaVinci Resolve, highlighting a practical limitation tied to how scripts and external plugins are sandboxed on macOS. This is an honest callout that reflects real-world deployment constraints.

From a tradeoff perspective, AutoSubs opts for a packaged desktop app rather than a purely web-based or cloud service. This choice improves privacy and offline use but requires platform-specific packaging and maintenance. The integration with DaVinci Resolve is a strong plus for video editors but means the tool is less useful outside that ecosystem for those who might want deeper automation in other editors.

Quick start with AutoSubs

Getting started with AutoSubs is straightforward thanks to the pre-built installers and clear workflow instructions.

Windows & macOS

Download the installer for your platform from the GitHub releases page and follow the prompts to install.

Linux

For Debian/Ubuntu users:

wget https://github.com/tmoroney/auto-subs/releases/latest/download/AutoSubs-linux-x86_64.deb
sudo apt install ./AutoSubs-linux-x86_64.deb

For Fedora or openSUSE, download the .rpm package and open it with your package manager.

Using the app

Standalone mode

  1. Launch AutoSubs.
  2. Select an audio or video file.
  3. Choose transcription model and language/translation options.
  4. Click Transcribe.
  5. Edit speakers and subtitles as needed.
  6. Export subtitles as SRT, plain text, or copy to clipboard.

DaVinci Resolve mode

  1. Open DaVinci Resolve.
  2. Navigate to Workspace → Scripts → AutoSubs.
  3. Select your timeline or audio source and configure settings.
  4. Click Transcribe.
  5. Adjust speakers and subtitles.
  6. Send styled subtitles back to Resolve.

Note: The Mac App Store version of DaVinci Resolve is incompatible with AutoSubs scripting. Use the official version from Blackmagic Design’s website.

Verdict

AutoSubs is a solid practical tool for anyone needing to automate subtitle creation across multiple platforms, with a keen focus on fitting into professional video editing workflows via DaVinci Resolve integration.

Its dual-mode approach caters both to standalone users who want a simple transcription app and to editors looking for seamless subtitle workflows. The TypeScript codebase and packaged installers show attention to developer and user experience, though the tradeoff is the need for maintaining cross-platform builds.

Limitations include the Mac App Store version incompatibility and the focus on DaVinci Resolve, which might exclude users of other video editors. Also, the transcription quality and supported models depend on underlying speech recognition tech not detailed in the repo.

If you work with video or audio content regularly and want a local, integrated subtitle solution that doesn’t rely on cloud services, AutoSubs is worth a look. It’s practical, relatively easy to set up, and respects the real-world constraints of video post-production environments.

→ GitHub Repo: tmoroney/auto-subs ⭐ 3,313 · TypeScript