RESOLVE API / MEDIA LAB / 03

AppendToTimeline: add clips with the Python API

MediaPoolItem in. TimelineItem out. Keep the two distinct.

Append existing clips to a timeline: objects and IDs, ordering, preview mode and result checks. Understand clipInfo, mediaType and frame boundaries without guessing.

THE RESULT

Append explicitly chosen existing sources to an empty test timeline and reread the items actually created.

PYTHON / RESOLVESTUDY MODEL
01items = select_ids(ctx, item_ids)

IDs come from the current-bin report. Clip names are not unique keys; this example never imports files.

CHECK

Every ID exists and order is explicit.

Switching steps changes the explanation. Nothing connects to Resolve or runs on your computer.

01 / BEFORE THE CODE

Set the conditions before you run.

01

Connection already checked

Use external local Python with Resolve Studio running. Complete the Resolve connection guide first. These examples use Python 3.8+ syntax; interpreter/native-library compatibility is a separate requirement.

02

An explicit reading/writing scope

Open the intended test project and select a Media Pool folder manually. Reported IDs matter more than matching display names. Do not switch projects, bins or timelines while the script runs. It does not search every project folder or choose a similar clip.

03

Plan before modifying

Save a project copy yourself. Without --apply only a plan is produced. Writes require exact target IDs; file-based phases also require the reviewed manifest digest. An error after dispatch does not mean that nothing changed.

Current Studio edition guidance and the installed scripting documentation take precedence over older console or Free-edition tutorials.[1][4][3]

02 / API CONTRACT

Which object. Which method. Which result.

MediaPoolAppendToTimeline([MediaPoolItem, ...])
Input
An ordered list of already imported objects.
Returns
A list of TimelineItem objects.
Check
Not file paths and not a Bool; empty/unknown results require inspection.
MediaPoolAppendToTimeline([{clipInfo}, ...])
Input
mediaPoolItem, startFrame, endFrame; optional mediaType, trackIndex, recordFrame.
Returns
TimelineItems for the specified ranges.
Check
Qualify ranges separately; the runnable example does not use this form.
TimelineGetItemListInTrack(type, index)
Input
video/audio/subtitle and an existing 1-based index.
Returns
Items on one track.
Check
Inspect actual structure, not only the modifying call’s response.
TimelineItemGetMediaPoolItem()
Input
No arguments.
Returns
The linked source, when one exists.
Check
Source ID is not the timeline occurrence ID.

Resolve method contracts are documented by Blackmagic; Python and author helpers are labelled separately. The defensive checks are our example design. A non-empty object is not proof of full API compatibility.[3]

03 / UNDERSTAND

Why a filename is not a MediaPoolItem

A source must first be represented in Media Pool. Import returns MediaPoolItems; AppendToTimeline uses those objects to create timeline elements. One source can be used repeatedly, so source identity and the identity of each timeline occurrence serve different purposes.

The entry script accepts existing item IDs from the current bin, and the helper resolves objects. It never searches by display name, chooses the first match, imports a file or creates a timeline automatically. Repeated IDs are disallowed by this tutorial’s policy, not by a claimed Resolve method limitation.[3]

04 / UNDERSTAND

Two useful forms: object lists and clipInfo lists

AppendToTimeline([items]) is suitable for an initial whole-source test. For controlled ranges, the documentation describes a list of clipInfo dictionaries: mediaPoolItem, startFrame, endFrame and optional mediaType, trackIndex, recordFrame. Do not replace the outer list with a single bare dictionary; argument structure matters.

mediaType 1 selects video only and 2 audio only. trackIndex identifies a track of that type using 1-based indexing. recordFrame is the timeline placement position, not a frame number inside the file. Combining source ranges with timeline positions requires checked units, rates and origins; the runnable example does not invent those values.[3]

05 / UNDERSTAND

Do not transfer Python slicing or rounded FPS into API ranges

startFrame/endFrame specify a source range, while recordFrame belongs to the timeline. The available signature description does not explain every boundary case for every media type. Do not automatically adopt Python’s [start, end) convention, subtract one from GetEnd by guesswork, or replace 23.976 with 24 for convenience.

For a range-based workflow, create a separate fixture with known source frames: first frame, a short interval and last frame. Record source/timeline rates, returned bounds and observed duration. This stage keeps a deliberately limited example without range calculations; frame/timecode conversions are covered in a separate stage.[3]

06 / UNDERSTAND

A returned list starts verification; it does not finish it

After append, the helper rereads existing video/audio/subtitle tracks. Returned IDs must be visible in the reread state, the observed source set must match the request, and within-track ordering must agree with the input list. Start/end values retain the API’s subframe precision rather than being forced to int.

TimelineItem count is not checked as one file equals one object: audiovisual sources and channel layout can produce a different structure. The report does not establish complete audio-channel mapping, exact duration or intended interpretation settings. After a post-call error, do not automatically delete added items; establish the actual changes in Resolve first.[3]

PYTHON / COMPLETE EXAMPLE

Read the code. Then run it deliberately.

Three files in the same folder

Download append_clips.py, resolve_api_media.py and resolve_api_connection.py. The bundle includes all six examples, both helpers and RU/EN instructions. Both helpers are fully visible below; read them before --apply.

Download all examples + instructions (.zip) ↓
append_clips.py
"""Append existing whole MediaPoolItems to an EMPTY test timeline. Plan by default."""
import argparse
from resolve_api_connection import connect
from resolve_api_media import context, select_ids, append_once, add_write_arguments, expected_from, output


def main(argv=None):
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
    parser.add_argument("item_ids", nargs="+", help="Media Pool IDs from the properties report, in order")
    add_write_arguments(parser, timeline=True)
    args = parser.parse_args(argv)
    ctx = context(connect(), need_timeline=True)
    items = select_ids(ctx, args.item_ids)
    # Already-imported items only. No implicit ImportMedia/CreateEmptyTimeline.
    output(append_once(ctx, items, args.apply, expected_from(args, timeline=True)))
    # A/V may produce more timeline objects than source items.
    # No source-frame ranges, recordFrame arithmetic or guessed FPS conversions.


if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

Media helper — targeting, mapping and write checks

The short main script calls this shared implementation. This is our tutorial code, not the official SDK. --apply permits only the selected phase. Checks are not atomic locks, process isolation or an automatic recovery system.

resolve_api_media.py
"""Shared tutorial helpers. Local desktop only; no sandbox, lock or API timeout.

A native call may block. Save a test copy yourself and do not edit concurrently.
Paths in reports can be sensitive. No relink, delete, retry or rollback is performed.
Python 3.8+ syntax; live Resolve/Python compatibility is a separate check.
"""
import hashlib
import json
import math
import os
import re
from dataclasses import dataclass
from pathlib import Path

from resolve_api_connection import project_manager

MAX_ITEMS = 500  # Tutorial processing limit, NOT a Resolve limit.


class OutcomeUnknown(RuntimeError):
    """A modifying call was attempted. Inspect actual state before any retry."""


def uid(obj):
    if obj is None:
        raise RuntimeError("Required API object is absent")
    value = obj.GetUniqueId()
    if not isinstance(value, str) or not value.strip():
        raise RuntimeError("Object identity is unavailable")
    return value


def api_list(value, label):
    # Do not turn an unavailable API result (None) into an empty collection.
    if not isinstance(value, list) or len(value) > MAX_ITEMS:
        raise RuntimeError(label + ": expected a list of at most 500 entries")
    return value


def properties(item):
    result = item.GetClipProperty()
    if not isinstance(result, dict) or not all(isinstance(k, str) for k in result):
        raise RuntimeError("GetClipProperty did not return a property dictionary")
    return result


def path_key(raw):
    """Conservative native path key. Never lowercase or translate another OS path."""
    if not isinstance(raw, str) or not raw or any(ord(c) < 32 for c in raw):
        raise ValueError("A non-empty path without control characters is required")
    if not os.path.isabs(raw):
        raise ValueError("An absolute path in this operating system is required")
    # Collapsing '..' through a symlink can point at another file: reject instead.
    parts = raw.replace(os.altsep, os.sep).split(os.sep) if os.altsep else raw.split(os.sep)
    if ".." in parts:
        raise ValueError("Resolve parent-directory segments explicitly before using this tutorial")
    return os.path.normpath(raw)  # Retain case and drive/share identity.


def same_path(left, right):
    left, right = path_key(left), path_key(right)
    if left == right:
        return True
    try:
        # Resolve aliases only when the local filesystem can prove identity.
        return os.path.samefile(left, right)
    except OSError:
        return False  # Unknown equivalence is not a filename-based match.


def prepare_files(raw_paths):
    if not isinstance(raw_paths, list) or not 1 <= len(raw_paths) <= MAX_ITEMS:
        raise ValueError("Provide 1-500 file paths")
    paths, stamps = [], []
    for raw in raw_paths:
        path = path_key(str(Path(raw).expanduser()))
        if not Path(path).is_file():
            raise ValueError("Not a readable ordinary file: " + path)
        with open(path, "rb"):
            pass  # Permission check only; not codec/decode validation.
        if any(same_path(path, existing) for existing in paths):
            raise ValueError("Duplicate input file/alias: " + path)
        stat = os.stat(path)
        paths.append(path)
        stamps.append([path, stat.st_dev, stat.st_ino, stat.st_size, stat.st_mtime_ns])
    digest = hashlib.sha256(json.dumps(stamps, ensure_ascii=False, separators=(",", ":")).encode()).hexdigest()
    return paths, digest  # Metadata digest, NOT a content checksum or a lock.


def folder_files(raw_folder, extensions):
    folder = Path(path_key(str(Path(raw_folder).expanduser())))
    if not folder.is_dir():
        raise ValueError("Source folder does not exist")
    ext = {x.strip().lower().lstrip(".") for x in extensions.split(",") if x.strip()}
    if not ext or not all(re.fullmatch(r"[a-z0-9]+", x) for x in ext):
        raise ValueError("Use explicit comma-separated extensions, e.g. mov,mp4")
    # Read one folder only. No recursion, symlink files, sequences or hidden entries.
    entries = list(folder.iterdir())
    if len(entries) > MAX_ITEMS:
        raise ValueError("Folder exceeds tutorial limit of 500 entries")
    candidates = [x for x in entries if not x.is_symlink() and x.is_file()
                  and not x.name.startswith(".") and x.suffix.lower().lstrip(".") in ext]
    def natural_key(p):
        parts = re.split(r"(\d+)", p.name.casefold())
        return (tuple((1, int(x)) if x.isdigit() else (0, x) for x in parts), p.name)
    return prepare_files([str(x) for x in sorted(candidates, key=natural_key)])


@dataclass
class Context:
    resolve: object
    manager: object
    project: object
    pool: object
    folder: object
    timeline: object
    target: dict


def context(resolve, need_timeline=False):
    manager = project_manager(resolve)
    project = manager.GetCurrentProject()
    if not project:
        raise RuntimeError("Open a test project manually")
    pool = project.GetMediaPool()
    folder = pool.GetCurrentFolder() if pool else None
    if not pool or not folder:
        raise RuntimeError("Current Media Pool folder is unavailable")
    timeline = project.GetCurrentTimeline() if need_timeline else None
    target = {"project_id": uid(project), "folder_id": uid(folder)}
    if need_timeline:
        if not timeline:
            raise RuntimeError("Open a test timeline manually")
        target["timeline_id"] = uid(timeline)
    return Context(resolve, manager, project, pool, folder, timeline, target)


def ensure_current(ctx):
    current = context(ctx.resolve, ctx.timeline is not None)
    if current.target != ctx.target:
        raise RuntimeError("Active project/folder/timeline changed")


def expect_target(ctx, expected):
    if not isinstance(expected, dict) or any(expected.get(k) != v for k, v in ctx.target.items()):
        raise ValueError("--apply requires all exact target IDs from the reviewed plan")
    ensure_current(ctx)


def folder_items(ctx):
    entries = api_list(ctx.folder.GetClipList(), "Folder.GetClipList")
    ids = [uid(x) for x in entries]
    if len(ids) != len(set(ids)):
        raise RuntimeError("Duplicate object IDs in folder result")
    return entries


def order_by_paths(paths, items, allow_other=False):
    """One-to-one matching by path/file identity. Missing/ambiguous => stop."""
    items = api_list(items, "MediaPoolItem list")
    observed = []
    for item in items:
        props = properties(item)
        stored = props.get("File Path")
        observed.append((uid(item), item, stored if isinstance(stored, str) and stored else None))
    if len({x[0] for x in observed}) != len(observed):
        raise RuntimeError("Duplicate MediaPoolItem identity")
    result, selected = [], set()
    for path in paths:
        matches = []
        for ident, item, stored in observed:
            if stored:
                try:
                    match = same_path(path, stored)
                except ValueError:
                    match = False
                if match:
                    matches.append((ident, item))
        if len(matches) != 1 or matches[0][0] in selected:
            raise RuntimeError("Missing/ambiguous mapping for: " + path)
        selected.add(matches[0][0]); result.append(matches[0][1])
    if not allow_other and len(selected) != len(observed):
        raise RuntimeError("Unrequested or pathless items in import result")
    return result


def import_once(ctx, raw_paths, apply=False, expected=None, expected_digest=None):
    paths, digest = prepare_files(raw_paths)
    before_items = folder_items(ctx)
    before_ids = {uid(x) for x in before_items}
    collisions = []
    for item in before_items:
        stored = properties(item).get("File Path")
        if isinstance(stored, str) and stored:
            try:
                collisions.extend(p for p in paths if same_path(p, stored))
            except ValueError:
                pass  # Non-native/compound path is not guessed or converted.
    report = {"status": "plan_only", "target": ctx.target, "files": paths,
              "files_metadata_sha256": digest, "existing_in_current_folder": collisions,
              "duplicate_scope": "current_folder_only", "write_attempted": False}
    ensure_current(ctx)
    if not apply:
        return report, []
    expect_target(ctx, expected)
    if digest != expected_digest:
        raise ValueError("File manifest differs from the reviewed --expect-files-sha256")
    if collisions:
        raise ValueError("Files already present in current folder. No reimport/reuse fallback")
    if {uid(x) for x in folder_items(ctx)} != before_ids or prepare_files(paths)[1] != digest:
        raise RuntimeError("Folder contents or input metadata changed before import")
    ensure_current(ctx)
    try:
        imported = ctx.pool.ImportMedia(paths)  # Exactly ONE call; no hidden retry.
        ensure_current(ctx)
        ordered = order_by_paths(paths, imported)
        after_ids = {uid(x) for x in folder_items(ctx)}
        returned_ids = {uid(x) for x in ordered}
        if returned_ids & before_ids or after_ids != before_ids | returned_ids:
            raise RuntimeError("Observed folder delta differs from import result")
    except Exception as exc:
        raise OutcomeUnknown("Import attempted; completeness unconfirmed. Inspect Media Pool; do not retry blindly.") from exc
    report.update(status="import_observed_review_in_resolve", write_attempted=True,
                  mapping=[{"path": p, "media_pool_id": uid(i)} for p, i in zip(paths, ordered)])
    return report, ordered


def timeline_rows(timeline):
    rows = []
    for track_type in ("video", "audio", "subtitle"):
        count = timeline.GetTrackCount(track_type)
        if type(count) is not int or not 0 <= count <= 128:
            raise RuntimeError("Unexpected track count")
        for index in range(1, count + 1):
            locked = timeline.GetIsTrackLocked(track_type, index)
            if type(locked) is not bool:
                raise RuntimeError("Track lock state is unavailable")
            for item in api_list(timeline.GetItemListInTrack(track_type, index), "Track items"):
                source = item.GetMediaPoolItem()
                start, end = item.GetStart(True), item.GetEnd(True)
                if any(type(x) not in (int, float) or not math.isfinite(x) for x in (start, end)) or end <= start:
                    raise RuntimeError("Unreadable or invalid timeline item bounds")
                rows.append({"id": uid(item), "source_id": uid(source) if source else None,
                             "type": track_type, "track": index, "start": start, "end": end,
                             "locked": locked})
                if len(rows) > MAX_ITEMS:
                    raise RuntimeError("Timeline exceeds tutorial processing limit")
            if locked:
                raise RuntimeError("Unlock test timeline tracks manually before this tutorial")
    if len({r["id"] for r in rows}) != len(rows):
        raise RuntimeError("Duplicate timeline item identities")
    return rows


def append_once(ctx, items, apply=False, expected=None):
    if ctx.timeline is None:
        raise RuntimeError("This operation needs an active test timeline")
    items = api_list(items, "Append inputs")
    ids = [uid(i) for i in items]
    if not ids or len(ids) != len(set(ids)):
        raise ValueError("Choose distinct MediaPoolItem IDs in the intended order")
    original = timeline_rows(ctx.timeline)
    report = {"status": "plan_only", "target": ctx.target, "ordered_media_pool_ids": ids,
              "timeline_is_empty": not original, "write_attempted": False,
              "placement": "whole items; default append; audio layout and timing require UI review"}
    ensure_current(ctx)
    if not apply:
        return report
    expect_target(ctx, expected)
    if original:
        raise RuntimeError("This tutorial only writes to an EMPTY test timeline")
    available = {uid(x) for x in folder_items(ctx)}
    if not set(ids) <= available or timeline_rows(ctx.timeline):
        raise RuntimeError("Inputs/empty timeline changed before append")
    ensure_current(ctx)
    try:
        appended = api_list(ctx.pool.AppendToTimeline(items), "AppendToTimeline")
        if not appended:
            raise RuntimeError("No appended objects returned")
        ensure_current(ctx)
        observed = timeline_rows(ctx.timeline)
        returned_ids = {uid(i) for i in appended}
        if len(returned_ids) != len(appended) or not returned_ids <= {r["id"] for r in observed}:
            raise RuntimeError("Returned timeline objects could not be reread")
        if {r["source_id"] for r in observed} != set(ids):
            raise RuntimeError("Observed sources differ from the requested inputs")
        order = {ident: idx for idx, ident in enumerate(ids)}
        tracks = {(r["type"], r["track"]) for r in observed}
        for kind, index in tracks:
            track_rows = sorted((r for r in observed if (r["type"], r["track"]) == (kind, index)), key=lambda r: r["start"])
            positions = [order[r["source_id"]] for r in track_rows]
            if positions != sorted(positions):
                raise RuntimeError("Observed source order differs on a track")
    except Exception as exc:
        raise OutcomeUnknown("Append attempted; result needs inspection. Do not repeat, delete or auto-rollback.") from exc
    report.update(status="append_observed_review_audio_and_timing", write_attempted=True,
                  returned_timeline_item_ids=sorted(returned_ids), observed_items=observed)
    return report


def select_ids(ctx, item_ids):
    if not item_ids or len(item_ids) != len(set(item_ids)):
        raise ValueError("Provide distinct MediaPoolItem IDs")
    by_id = {uid(x): x for x in folder_items(ctx)}
    if any(ident not in by_id for ident in item_ids):
        raise ValueError("Requested item is absent from the current Media Pool folder")
    return [by_id[ident] for ident in item_ids]


def add_write_arguments(parser, timeline=False, files=False):
    parser.add_argument("--apply", action="store_true", help="Explicitly allow this phase to modify the TEST project")
    parser.add_argument("--expect-project-id")
    parser.add_argument("--expect-folder-id")
    if timeline:
        parser.add_argument("--expect-timeline-id")
    if files:
        parser.add_argument("--expect-files-sha256", help="Metadata manifest digest from reviewed plan, NOT file content hash")


def expected_from(args, timeline=False):
    result = {"project_id": args.expect_project_id, "folder_id": args.expect_folder_id}
    if timeline:
        result["timeline_id"] = args.expect_timeline_id
    return result


def output(value):
    print(json.dumps(value, ensure_ascii=False, indent=2, allow_nan=False))

Shared connection helper — inspect and download

This file only locates and loads the installed bridge. Native imports can write Python bytecode caches and can block; this is not a sandbox or a timeout mechanism. Use a trusted local installation.

resolve_api_connection.py
"""Load the installed Blackmagic module; do not install a similarly named package.

This helper uses standard desktop installation paths or RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API.
It does not enable scripting, start Resolve, open projects or retry API calls.
Validate Python/native-library compatibility against your installed README.txt.
"""
from __future__ import annotations

import importlib.util
import os
from pathlib import Path
import struct
import sys


class ResolveConnectionError(RuntimeError):
    """An explicit environment, module, or application-connection failure."""


def scripting_root() -> Path:
    configured = os.environ.get("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API")
    if configured is not None:
        if not configured.strip() or configured != configured.strip():
            raise ResolveConnectionError("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API is empty or has outer whitespace")
        if configured.startswith(('"', "'")) or configured.endswith(('"', "'")):
            raise ResolveConnectionError("Do not store literal outer quotes in RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API")
        root = Path(os.path.expandvars(configured)).expanduser()
    elif sys.platform == "win32":
        root = Path(os.environ.get("PROGRAMDATA", r"C:\ProgramData")) / "Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Support/Developer/Scripting"
    elif sys.platform == "darwin":
        root = Path("/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Developer/Scripting")
    elif sys.platform.startswith("linux"):
        root = Path("/opt/resolve/Developer/Scripting")
    else:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Set RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API for this platform/installation")
    if not root.is_absolute():
        raise ResolveConnectionError("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API must be an absolute Scripting directory")
    return root


def module_file() -> Path:
    # RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API points to Scripting, not its Modules subdirectory.
    return scripting_root() / "Modules" / "DaVinciResolveScript.py"


def load_resolve_module():
    if struct.calcsize("P") * 8 != 64:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Use a compatible 64-bit Python interpreter")
    source = module_file()
    if not source.is_file():
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Official DaVinciResolveScript.py not found at: " + str(source))
    configured_lib = os.environ.get("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_LIB")
    if configured_lib is not None:
        lib = Path(os.path.expandvars(configured_lib)).expanduser()
        if not lib.is_absolute() or not lib.is_file():
            raise ResolveConnectionError("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_LIB must name the installed native library file")
    name = "DaVinciResolveScript"
    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(name, source)
    if spec is None or spec.loader is None:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Cannot create a loader for the official module")
    previous = sys.modules.get(name)
    module = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
    sys.modules[name] = module
    try:
        spec.loader.exec_module(module)
        # Blackmagic's wrapper can replace its sys.modules entry with a native module.
        loaded = sys.modules[name]
        if not callable(getattr(loaded, "scriptapp", None)):
            raise ResolveConnectionError("Loaded module does not expose scriptapp")
        return loaded
    except Exception as exc:
        if previous is None:
            sys.modules.pop(name, None)
        else:
            sys.modules[name] = previous
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Official module was found, but loading it failed") from exc


def connect():
    module = load_resolve_module()
    try:
        resolve = module.scriptapp("Resolve")
    except Exception as exc:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("scriptapp failed; inspect the original exception") from exc
    if not resolve:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("No Resolve object: check running Studio, Local access and Python environment")
    return resolve


def project_manager(resolve):
    manager = resolve.GetProjectManager()
    if not manager:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Resolve connected, but Project Manager is unavailable")
    return manager

Launch commands

Preview existing IDs

Preview existing IDs
python append_clips.py "MEDIA_POOL_ID_1" "MEDIA_POOL_ID_2"

Replace the path and every ID/digest with values from your reviewed plan. On macOS/Linux use python3 and a native absolute path. Placeholder IDs will fail target checks.

Append to an empty test timeline

Append to an empty test timeline
python append_clips.py "MEDIA_POOL_ID_1" "MEDIA_POOL_ID_2" --apply --expect-project-id "PROJECT_ID" --expect-folder-id "FOLDER_ID" --expect-timeline-id "TIMELINE_ID"

Replace the path and every ID/digest with values from your reviewed plan. On macOS/Linux use python3 and a native absolute path. Placeholder IDs will fail target checks.

What the code does

  1. Choose

    IDs come from the current-bin report. Clip names are not unique keys; this example never imports files.

  2. Append

    The simple form accepts whole objects. Modification requires matching project/bin/timeline IDs, an empty timeline and --apply.

  3. Reread

    The result is checked by timeline IDs, source links and per-track order. Object count is not equated with file count.

  4. Review the helper

    The complete shared implementation is visible below the main example. Read its scope and stop conditions, not just the short entry point.

Boundaries to keep

The example chooses whole MediaPoolItems; it does not compute source ranges.

Expected source identity does not automatically establish correct audio and duration.

State checks do not lock out concurrent editing; use a copy without simultaneous actions.

DEBUG / OBSERVATION FIRST

An error is a starting point, not a diagnosis.

Requested item is absent

Possible reasonA TimelineItem ID was supplied or another bin is selected.

Next checkRead MediaPoolItem IDs from the intended-bin properties report.

Track is locked

Possible reasonThe test timeline is not ready.

Next checkInspect and unlock manually; the script does not change track locks.

Populated timeline

Possible reasonThe example deliberately avoids existing edits.

Next checkUse a separate empty test timeline; never auto-clear the original.

Append attempted; result needs inspection

Possible reasonThe call was dispatched but reconciliation did not complete.

Next checkDo not repeat append; inspect IDs, tracks, order and audio in Resolve first.

PRACTICE / YOUR OWN EVIDENCE

Two distinct sources, one inspectable assembly

  1. Choose two short imported clips and obtain their MediaPoolItem IDs from the report.
  2. Open a separate empty timeline, preview the intended order and check every target ID.
  3. Apply and reread. In the UI, inspect order, start/end boundaries, picture and audio of both sources.
ACCEPT WHEN

Both sources are observed in the intended order, without reimport, hidden creation or automatic clearing.

This is a checklist for your test, not a report of a test already performed on the website.

FAQ

Questions that matter in practice.

Is this insertion at the playhead?

Do not treat basic append as the playhead insert command. Exact placement needs a separately verified recordFrame and target-track workflow.[3]

Why does the example not save the project?

It leaves a visual-review point before manual saving. Resolve’s own autosave is a separate application setting that the script neither disables nor controls.

Can I append video only?

The clipInfo form supports mediaType=1 for video and 2 for audio. The whole-object example does not set this option; inspect audio and its mapping rather than assuming it is disabled.[3]

Why not require len(result) == len(inputs)?

That is not a universal A/V/channel criterion. The example checks observed object/source relationships without claiming full audio-structure verification.

SOURCES / VERSION BOUNDARIES

Sources, not implied certification.

The source review, offline Python tests and UI checks are different kinds of evidence. None establishes that every example works with every Studio build, operating system or Python version. The date below is the editorial review date, not a live-test certificate.

  1. Blackmagic Design — DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 release notes

    8 September 2026. The release announcement assigns Python scripting to Studio. Edition requirements, not a test report for our examples.

  2. Blackmagic Design — Support Center

    Release catalogue checked on 5 October 2026: 21.1.1 is listed. The latest release is not the minimum version of every method.

  3. Blackmagic Scripting README — snapshot 24 July 2026 (Resolve 21.0.4)

    Public mirror of Blackmagic’s original README, maintained by X-Raym. Used for basic signatures; not official hosting and not a 21.1.1 README. Locate your installed Developer/Scripting/README.txt through Resolve’s Help/Documentation menu; exact menu nesting can vary.

  4. Blackmagic Design — Scripting and Automation

    Official description of Studio Python/Lua scripting and integrations. Do not extend Studio capabilities to Free without checking the exact release.

KEEP BUILDING

Continue with a precise next task.

API / Media Pool

GetClipProperty: read Media Pool clip properties

Read Media Pool properties without requiring a timeline: full dictionaries, IDs, unrounded FPS text, per-item errors and an explicitly bounded JSON report.

API / Media Pool

Import a folder and append clips to a timeline with the API

Controlled folder assembly in Resolve: explicit extensions, natural filename order, separate import/append phases and empty-test-timeline checks. Python code included.

API / Timeline

Read a TimelineItem source file path with the Python API

Read File Path for one timeline track: TimelineItem, MediaPoolItem, missing/empty paths, offline references and optional filesystem checks.

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