Create consistent stream alerts from any source. From idea to done, fast.

Alert! Alert! is a small native desktop app for streamers: pull in a clip from a URL or a local file, crop and trim it, and export a clean alert — without opening a full editor.

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Supported platforms

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What it does

• Load from a video URL (via yt-dlp) or a local file.
• Preview natively — H.264 plays directly, no browser engine, no transcode workaround.
• Crop with aspect-ratio presets (1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4, 21:9), zoom, and a draggable box with rule-of-thirds guides.
• Trim right on the timeline — drag the in/out handles on the waveform scrubber, or use keyboard shortcuts.
• Export a square alert: resolution + quality presets, audio normalize, fades, and an optional end-buffer freeze.
• Overrides — swap in a separate audio track, or use a still image as the visual with the clip's audio.
• Batch queue — line up multiple clips, each with its own crop/trim/overrides, and Export All in one go.

It's a native PySide6 (Qt Widgets) app — no web server, no embedded browser. The packaged exe is ~70 MB and launches instantly.

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Quick start

Download the app

1. Grab alert-alert.exe from the latest release.
2. Run it. Standalone — no Python needed.
3. On first launch, if FFmpeg or yt-dlp aren't found, the app offers a one-click setup that downloads them for you from their official sources (nothing downloads until you click).

Run from source

git clone https://github.com/thedeutschmark/alert-alert.git
cd alert-alert
pip install -r requirements.txt
python native_app.py

Requirements: Windows (primary target), Python 3.10+, and internet access for URL loading and runtime setup.

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Keyboard shortcuts

Key	Action
Space	Play / pause
I / O	Set trim in / out at the playhead
← / →	Seek ∓1s
, / .	Nudge ∓0.1s
J / L	Seek ∓5s
Home / End	Jump to start / end
↑ / ↓	Volume up / down
+ / −	Zoom in / out
R	Reset crop to Original
PgUp / PgDn	Previous / next clip in queue
Ctrl+E	Export All

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Menu

• Take the tour — replay the guided walkthrough (loads a sample clip if your queue is empty).
• Check dependencies — see FFmpeg / ffprobe / yt-dlp status anytime.
• Update yt-dlp — pull the latest yt-dlp so YouTube changes don't break downloads.
• Show log terminal — open a console alongside the app for live logs (off by default; also --console on launch).
• Open Output Folder, About.

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Building the exe

pip install -r requirements.txt pyinstaller
python -m PyInstaller --clean --noconfirm AlertNative.spec

Produces dist/alert-alert.exe (native build — AlertNative.spec excludes QtWebEngine). Pushing a v* tag also builds and attaches the exe via GitHub Actions.

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Troubleshooting

• Downloads/exports fail on a fresh machine → FFmpeg or yt-dlp isn't installed. Use the first-run setup prompt, or install them yourself.
• YouTube URL won't download → run Update yt-dlp from the App menu; install optional deno if challenge handling still fails.

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deutschmark's other apps

	Clipline Livestream VODs → shortform clips with auto-captions.
	The Stream Toolset OBS overlays + companion apps. One login, no subscriptions.
	ForgetMeNot A Twitch chat bot that remembers your regulars.
	Collab Planner Finds collab windows from streamers' broadcast history.
	P.A.T.H.O.S. AI career platform — resume tailoring + ATS scoring.

_{All projects → github.com/thedeutschmark}

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Acceptable use & disclaimer

Alert! Alert! is a general-purpose video utility. It does not download, host, or distribute any copyrighted content. URL loading is delegated to yt-dlp — an independent open-source project — and media decoding/encoding to FFmpeg. Alert! Alert! does not contain any video-downloading code itself; see THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.txt.

You are solely responsible for ensuring you have the legal right to download, modify, or redistribute any content you process with this tool. Use it on video you own, video you have permission to use, or content available under licenses that permit reuse (Creative Commons, public domain, fair use under your local law). Respect the terms of service of any platform you interact with and the copyright of the original creators.

The authors of Alert! Alert! accept no liability for misuse. The software is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, as set out in the LICENSE file. The first launch of the app requires you to acknowledge this disclaimer before use.

License

Apache License 2.0 — see LICENSE. Third-party runtime notices are in THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.txt.

Credits

Created by deutschmark. Built with FFmpeg, yt-dlp, and PySide6.