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🔁 Macros & Hotkeys

Macros​

A macro is a named sequence of actions that executes step by step, automatically. Run any macro from the search bar or bind it to a hotkey for single-keypress execution.

Creating a Macro​

  1. Go to Macros in the sidebar
  2. Click + New Macro
  3. Enter a macro name
  4. Search for actions in the editor and add them in order
  5. Click Save Macro

The macro appears immediately in the search bar under [Commands].


Action Types​

TypeDescriptionConfigurable param
[FxVideo]Apply a video effect to the selected clip—
[FxAudio]Apply an audio effect to the selected clip—
[Transition]Apply a transition to the selected clip edgeAlignment
[Preset]Apply a preset via Quick Apply—
[CMD.BM.*]Set a Better Motion transform propertyValue
SLEEPPause N milliseconds before the next actionDuration (ms)

Transition Alignment​

When a transition is added to a macro, you choose where it attaches:

OptionBehavior
At StartApplied to the beginning of the clip
At EndApplied to the end of the clip
Both SidesApplied to both edges

Click the ✎ edit button on the transition action to change alignment at any time.


Better Motion Values​

BM actions require a value set at creation time. The dialog opens automatically when you add one.

ValueMeaning
50Set to 50 (absolute)
+10Add 10 to current value
-5Subtract 5
resetReset property to default
100.200Position only — set X=100, Y=200
.500Position only — set Y=500, skip X
+50.-20Position only — add 50 to X, subtract 20 from Y

Click the ✎ edit button on a BM action to update its value later.


SLEEP​

Inserts a deliberate pause between two actions. Click Add Sleep in the editor and set a duration (1 – 30,000 ms).

â„šī¸ A fixed 500 ms gap is automatically inserted between every non-SLEEP action. Add a SLEEP only when Premiere Pro needs extra time to react (e.g., after opening a panel or applying a heavy effect).


Reordering and Editing Actions​

Each action row has:

  • ↑ / ↓ buttons — reorder the action in the sequence
  • ✕ button — remove the action
  • ✎ edit button — change params (transitions, BM commands, SLEEP only)

Pre-flight Validation​

Before a macro starts, the app validates all dependencies:

If macro containsRequirement
Any [Preset] actionQuick Apply must be calibrated and enabled
Any [CMD.BM.*] actionBetter Motion must be enabled

If any check fails, the macro is blocked entirely — no actions run. An error is logged in the console.


Editing and Deleting​

On the Macros page, each macro row has Edit and Delete buttons. Editing reopens the Macro Editor with all existing actions pre-loaded.


Custom Hotkeys​

A custom hotkey binds a keyboard shortcut to any effect, preset, or macro. The shortcut fires immediately while Adobe Premiere Pro is the active window — no search bar needed.

Adding a Hotkey​

  1. Go to Macros → Custom Hotkeys
  2. Click the key capture field and press the desired key combination
  3. Search for the effect, preset, or macro to bind
  4. Click Add

Hotkeys are stored in Data/keybinds.json and activate immediately on save.

Conflict Detection​

The app checks every new hotkey against:

  • All existing custom hotkeys
  • The search bar trigger key
  • Better Motion hotkeys

If a conflict is found, the hotkey is rejected. Choose a different combination.

Removing a Hotkey​

Click ✕ on any row in the Custom Hotkeys list.


Examples​

Example 1 — "Quick Grade" macro (color effect + wait + preset)​

Goal: Apply Lumetri Color, wait for Premiere to register it, then apply a motion preset.

#ActionTypeParam
1Lumetri Color[FxVideo]—
2SleepSLEEP800 ms
3My Motion Preset[Preset]—

Run: Ctrl+Space → Quick Grade → Enter


Example 2 — "Reset Transform" macro​

Goal: Reset position, scale, and rotation to their defaults in one action.

#ActionTypeParam
1Position[CMD.BM.position]reset
2Scale[CMD.BM.scale]reset
3Rotation[CMD.BM.rotation]reset

Run: Ctrl+Space → Reset Transform → Enter


Example 3 — "Center + Scale Up" macro​

Goal: Set clip to screen center and scale to 110 in one shot.

#ActionTypeParam
1Position[CMD.BM.position]960.540
2Scale[CMD.BM.scale]110

Example 4 — Transition on both ends​

Goal: Apply Cross Dissolve to both edges of the selected clip.

#ActionTypeParam
1Cross Dissolve[Transition]Both Sides

Single Enter press — both edges get the transition.


Example 5 — Custom hotkey for Cross Dissolve​

  1. Go to Macros → Custom Hotkeys
  2. Capture key: Ctrl+D
  3. Search: Cross Dissolve
  4. Click Add

Ctrl+D with Premiere Pro active now applies Cross Dissolve instantly.


Example 6 — Custom hotkey to run a macro​

  1. Create macro "Color Stack"
  2. Go to Custom Hotkeys → capture Ctrl+Shift+G
  3. Search: Color Stack (shows up under Commands)
  4. Click Add

Ctrl+Shift+G → entire macro runs. No search bar, no mouse.

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