/install gif
Requirements
Required for creating GIFs:
ffmpeg— video to GIF conversion
Optional:
gifsicle— post-optimization (reduces size 30-50%)GIPHY_API_KEY— for Giphy search APITENOR_API_KEY— for Tenor search API
Where to Find GIFs
| Site | Best for | API |
|---|---|---|
| Giphy | General, trending | Yes (key required) |
| Tenor | Messaging apps | Yes (key required) |
| Imgur | Viral/community | Yes |
| Reddit r/gifs | Niche, unique | No |
Creating GIFs with FFmpeg
Always use palettegen (without it, colors look washed out):
ffmpeg -ss 0 -t 5 -i input.mp4 \
-filter_complex "fps=10,scale=480:-1:flags=lanczos,split[a][b];[a]palettegen[p];[b][p]paletteuse" \
output.gif
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| fps | 8-12 | Higher = much larger file |
| scale | 320-480 | 1080p GIFs are massive |
| lanczos | Always | Best scaling quality |
Post-Optimization
If gifsicle is available:
gifsicle -O3 --lossy=80 --colors 128 input.gif -o output.gif
Reduces size 30-50% with minimal quality loss.
Video Alternative
For web, use video instead of large GIFs (80-90% smaller):
\x3Cvideo autoplay muted loop playsinline>
\x3Csource src="animation.webm" type="video/webm">
\x3Csource src="animation.mp4" type="video/mp4">
\x3C/video>
Accessibility
- WCAG 2.2.2: Loops >5s need pause control
- prefers-reduced-motion: Show static image instead
- Alt text: Describe the action ("Cat jumping off table")
- Three flashes: Nothing >3 flashes/second (seizure risk)
Common Mistakes
- No
palettegenin FFmpeg — colors look terrible - FPS >15 — file size explodes for no visual benefit
- No lazy loading on web — blocks page load
- Using huge GIF where video would work — 10x larger
API Quick Reference
Giphy search:
curl "https://api.giphy.com/v1/gifs/search?api_key=$GIPHY_API_KEY&q=thumbs+up&limit=10"
Tenor search:
curl "https://tenor.googleapis.com/v2/search?key=$TENOR_API_KEY&q=thumbs+up&limit=10"
- Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
- Run the install command in chat:
/install gif - After installation, invoke the skill by name or use
/gif - Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
What is GIF?
Find, search, and create GIFs with proper optimization and accessibility. It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 988 downloads so far.
How do I install GIF?
Run "/install gif" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.
Is GIF free?
Yes, GIF is completely free (open-source). You can download, install and use it at no cost.
Which platforms does GIF support?
GIF is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (linux, darwin, win32).
Who created GIF?
It is built and maintained by Iván (@ivangdavila); the current version is v1.0.1.