> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.livepeer.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Clip a livestream

> Create short clips from active livestreams using the Create Clip API.

You can create **clips** from active Livepeer Studio streams via the API. A clip is a segment of the stream (e.g. The last N seconds or a chosen range) and is stored as an **asset** that you can play back like any VOD asset.

<Warning>
  Clipping is supported only for **livestreams** and **livestream recordings**. Other asset types are not supported for clipping.
</Warning>

## How clipping works

* Clips are created from the **viewer’s perspective**: e.g. “last 30 seconds” is the last 30 seconds that viewer saw (based on their playhead).
* You send **start and end timestamps** (UNIX milliseconds). These typically come from the player (e.g. HLS.js `playingDate` or the Livepeer Player’s clip trigger).
* Livepeer creates an **asset** for the clip. You can poll the asset or listen for the `asset.ready` webhook to know when the clip is playable.

## Create a clip via API

Use the [Create Clip API](https://livepeer.studio/docs/api-reference/stream/create-clip) with:

* `playbackId` - The **active stream’s** playback ID.
* `startTime` - Start of the clip (UNIX ms, from playhead).
* `endTime` - End of the clip (UNIX ms).
* `name` - (Optional) Name for the clip asset.

Ensure `startTime` is at or after the stream start and `endTime` is not in the future.

### Example (Node.js)

```ts icon="terminal" theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"dark-plus"}}
const result = await livepeer.stream.createClip({
  playbackId: process.env.PLAYBACK_ID_OF_RUNNING_STREAM,
  startTime: endTime - 30000, // 30 seconds before end
  endTime: Date.now(),
  name: "My clip",
});
// result.asset has the new clip asset; result.task has the task ID
```

### With the Livepeer Player

The Player’s [Clip trigger](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@livepeer/react#player) can provide `playbackId`, `startTime`, and `endTime`. Call the **Create Clip API from your backend** (with the same parameters) and validate input (e.g. Max clip length, rate limiting).

## Monitor clip status

* **Polling** - Call `GET /asset/{assetId}` until `asset.status` is `ready`.
* **Webhooks** - Subscribe to `asset.ready` (and optionally `asset.failed`). Use the `assetId` from the create-clip response to match the event.
* The clip asset has `source.type === "clip"` and a `sessionId` so you can tell it’s a clip.

Clips get **source playback** first (playable quickly); transcoded renditions are added when processing finishes. Use the clip’s `playbackId` with the [Playback Info API](https://livepeer.studio/docs/api-reference/playback/get) or the [Player](../player) to play it.

## List clips for a stream

Use the [Clips for livestream API](https://livepeer.studio/docs/api-reference/stream/get-clip) (by stream or session) to list clips created from a stream.