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Export Video Comments To DaVinci Resolve-Compatible Timeline Format (PROMPT) #31

@PraiseXI

Description

@PraiseXI

Problem

The marketing site currently says lawn supports exporting frame-accurate comments back into an editor workflow:

  • app/routes/-for-video-editors.tsx

It includes copy like:

  • “Export frame-accurate comments with timecodes and bring them straight back to Premiere, Resolve, or Final Cut.”
  • “You see every note with precise timecodes, ready to export back to your NLE timeline.”

After inspecting the repo, I could not find an implemented comment export feature behind that claim.

Current State

These parts exist today:

  • Comment schema in convex/schema.ts
  • Comment queries/mutations in convex/comments.ts
  • Dashboard video page UI in app/routes/dashboard/-video.tsx
  • Share/watch pages in app/routes/-share.tsx and app/routes/-watch.tsx
  • Video player and markers in src/components/video-player/VideoPlayer.tsx

What exists:

  • Comments are stored with fields like text, timestampSeconds, userName, resolved, and optional parentId
  • Comments render in the dashboard/share/watch experiences
  • Video download exists

What does not appear to exist:

  • No Export comments button
  • No export endpoint/action for comments
  • No Resolve-compatible export format
  • No verified path to bring comments directly into DaVinci Resolve

Goal

Implement a real comment export workflow that lets a user download comments from a video and import them into DaVinci Resolve
in a way that is actually useful in editing.

The key requirement is not “download some text.” The requirement is “export comments in a Resolve-compatible format or workflow
that has been verified to import cleanly.”

Requirements

  • Add an Export comments action on the dashboard video page
  • Export only comments for videos the current user is authorized to access
  • Preserve existing auth and access control patterns
  • Include precise timing derived from timestampSeconds
  • Include top-level comments and replies in a sensible flattened structure
  • Include commenter name
  • Include resolved state
  • Keep the default UX simple and fast
  • Avoid adding a public export hole
  • Avoid introducing unnecessary loading waterfalls or blocking states

Resolve Compatibility

The output should be designed for DaVinci Resolve first, not as a generic spreadsheet export.

  • The primary acceptance criterion is that the exported file can be imported into DaVinci Resolve as timeline markers or
    another clearly usable editorial format
  • If a specific export format is chosen, document why that format is the right choice for Resolve
  • Verify the workflow manually and document the import steps briefly in the PR or issue follow-up
  • If a fallback export is also added, that is fine, but the main feature should still target Resolve compatibility

Suggested Implementation Direction

  • Reuse existing protected comment/video access patterns in Convex
  • Generate the export server-side so authorization remains centralized
  • Return a downloadable file or signed URL the frontend can trigger immediately
  • Add the button near the existing video actions on app/routes/dashboard/-video.tsx
  • Use a stable filename such as <video-title>-comments.<ext>
  • Keep the implementation structured so other export targets can be added later

Export Data Expectations

At minimum, the export should preserve:

  • comment id
  • parent comment id if present
  • comment type such as top-level or reply
  • author name
  • comment text
  • resolved state
  • raw timestampSeconds
  • human-readable time value
  • ordering that is predictable and editor-friendly

Recommended ordering:

  • top-level comments sorted by timestamp
  • replies sorted by creation time under their parent

Acceptance Criteria

  • A signed-in user with access to a video can click Export comments
  • The export downloads successfully from the dashboard video page
  • The exported file contains that video’s comments with accurate timing
  • The resulting file can be imported into DaVinci Resolve in a documented, verified workflow
  • Users without access cannot export comments
  • The implementation does not weaken existing auth boundaries
  • The feature is fast enough to feel immediate for normal review workloads
  • The marketing claim is no longer misleading because there is a real Resolve workflow behind it

Optional Follow-up

If the implementation is structured cleanly, leave room for future formats such as:

  • Premiere-compatible export
  • Final Cut-compatible export
  • generic CSV fallback
  • SRT
  • other timeline/marker exchange formats

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