Accessibility and input methods

The video editor combines dense controls, a spatial canvas, a frame-accurate timeline, and media playback. Use the workflow below to reduce pointer dependence and keep state changes understandable.

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Keyboard-first workflow

See the complete Keyboard shortcut reference.

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Focus and shortcut safety

Global commands are intentionally blocked while focus is inside text-entry and editable controls. This prevents typing T, V, J, or L into a field from changing tools or playback.

• Enter commonly commits the current value.
• Escape cancels or leaves the current editing gesture where supported.
• Tab commits or leaves many fields and advances focus.
• Caption-token edits also commit after a short idle period, so wait for the field to settle before immediately testing undo.

If a command does nothing, first check whether a caret is still visible in a field.

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Screen magnification and browser zoom

Browser zoom enlarges editor chrome; the canvas’s own fit/zoom behavior determines how the composition fits inside the remaining workspace. At high browser zoom:

• side panels and the timeline may have less room;
• controls can wrap or require panel scrolling;
• the preview can become smaller while authored composition dimensions stay unchanged;
• timeline zoom may need separate adjustment to keep edit points readable.

Use the timeline’s explicit fit and zoom controls if the browser reserves common Cmd/Ctrl +, -, or 0 combinations. Use \\ to fit the full timeline or Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+2 to fit selected layers.

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Pointer alternatives

Some spatial operations—such as drawing a new frame rectangle, adjusting a crop handle, or editing a motion path directly—remain pointer-oriented. Use numeric properties for equivalent final geometry where available.

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Color, contrast, and non-color cues

Selection is communicated through outlines, handles, timeline highlighting, and Inspector state rather than color alone. Track mute, visibility, and solo states use labeled buttons and state styling. For better contrast:

• use your operating system’s contrast and display accommodations;
• avoid evaluating subtle footage contrast under a semi-transparent selection overlay;
• deselect layers before final visual review;
• preview captions over both bright and dark frames and use stroke or shadow when needed.

When designing the video itself, do not depend on color alone to communicate essential information. Add text, icons, shape changes, or motion cues as appropriate.

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Motion and flashing content

The editor may preview authored animation, rapid cuts, glitch-like effects, and animated media. To reduce exposure:

• pause with K or Space and inspect one frame at a time;
• disable or remove intense effects while editing;
• use slow shuttle review before normal-speed playback;
• honor the intended audience’s reduced-motion needs in the video design itself;
• avoid repeated high-contrast flashes.

The operating system’s reduced-motion preference can reduce some interface motion, but it does not automatically rewrite the authored video animation.

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Captions and audio review

Caption layers provide an on-canvas text alternative for spoken content. Check:

• transcript wording and punctuation;
• token boundaries against speech;
• page duration and maximum lines;
• readable font size, line height, and safe margins;
• sufficient contrast over every underlying shot;
• no collision with titles or lower thirds.

Waveforms help locate speech but are not a textual alternative. Use the caption token editor for wording and frame-step review for timing. See Caption editing and Caption timing.

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Screen readers

Buttons and interactive controls should be encountered by their accessible labels, and menus expose their item names and disabled state. The timeline and canvas are highly visual; a practical screen-reader workflow relies more heavily on:

• layer names and deliberate F2 renaming;
• predictable track order;
• Inspector field labels and exact numeric values;
• keyboard selection navigation;
• descriptive draft and asset names;
• caption token text instead of visual waveform inference.

Rename generic filenames such as IMG_0042 into meaningful layer names such as Tea plantation aerial — opening before a complex pass.

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Voice control and switch access

Labeled buttons, tabs, menu commands, and fields are better targets than unlabeled spatial gestures. Use the Inspector and context menus for deterministic named actions. If a voice command conflicts with a single-letter editor shortcut, focus the intended control or pause voice input while entering text.

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Fullscreen considerations

Shift+F requests browser fullscreen for the preview. Browsers can require an eligible user gesture and may display a security transition. Escape behavior may be owned by the browser before the editor sees it. If fullscreen is disorienting, enlarge the application window and use the canvas fit controls instead.

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Accessible editorial checklist