kdenlive

Start the video editor

$ kdenlive

$ kdenlive [path/to/file.kdenlive]

$ kdenlive --mlt-path [path/to/directory]

$ kdenlive --mlt-log [verbose|debug]

$ kdenlive --help

$ kdenlive --version

kdenlive [options] [files]

-h, --help
    Show help about kdenlive and exit

-v, --version
    Show version information and exit

--audio-channels NUM
    Set number of audio channels (1-8, default 2)

--audio-frequency NUM
    Set audio sample rate in Hz (default 48000)

--backupdir DIR
    Set the backup directory

--config DIR
    Set the config directory

--display DISPLAY
    Use specific X-Server (host:display.screen)

--full-screen
    Start in full screen mode

--lift
    Lift selected clips

--lower
    Lower selected clips

--new W H
    Start new project with width W and height H

--no-splash
    Do not show splash screen

--offline PRESET
    Start in offline rendering mode with preset

--play
    Play selected clips

--proxy DIR
    Set proxy clips directory

--purge
    Purge project cache

--render
    Render project without opening GUI

--renderzones
    Render only zone in/out

--reset-config
    Reset configuration to defaults

--session NAME
    Restore specific session

--session-config
    Show session configuration

--stop
    Stop playback

--swap-titlebar
    Swap titlebar and menu

Kdenlive is a free, open-source non-linear video editor for Linux, Windows, and macOS, built on the MLT multimedia framework and Qt interface. It offers professional features like multi-track timeline editing, keyframeable effects, color correction, transitions, titling, and multi-layer compositing.

Key capabilities include support for a wide range of audio/video formats via FFmpeg, 4K+ resolution editing, proxy editing for smooth performance on lower-end hardware, automatic backups, and rendering to various outputs. Users can mix resolutions and frame rates on the same timeline, add unlimited video/audio tracks, and customize with over 200 effects/plugins.

Ideal for hobbyists and professionals, it integrates with Jack audio, supports GPU acceleration for effects, and provides tools for screencasting, archiving, and batch rendering. The interface is customizable with dockable panels for project monitoring, clip jobs, and effects tuning. Regularly updated by the KDE community, it emphasizes stability and extensibility.

Requires graphical environment (X11/Wayland); heavy on CPU/GPU for high-res editing without proxies. Some advanced features depend on MLT/FFmpeg versions.

Relies on MLT framework, FFmpeg, Qt6, KF6 libraries. Install via distro packages like kdenlive.

Enable proxies for 4K/High FPS editing on modest hardware; auto-generates lower-res versions.

Use --render for CLI jobs; supports jobs queue, zones, and custom profiles.

Originated in 2002 as KVideoEditor; renamed Kdenlive in 2003. Major rewrite in 2017-2018 for better stability. Now at KDE Gear releases (e.g., 24.08), with ongoing MLT integration improvements.

melt(1), ffmpeg(1), mlt(7), shotcut(1)