# Timeline basics

> Tracks, adding clips, selection, split and join, deleting, snapping, ranges, sequences, and zoom.

Formats Studio docs · Core editing · https://formats.app/docs/timeline · Updated 2026-09-28

## Tracks

- **Video tracks** hold visual items: video, images, text, shapes, captions, and adjustment layers.
- **Audio tracks** hold audio clips and the audio linked to video files.
- Add tracks with **Add Video Track** or **Add Audio Track** when you need more room.
- Track controls include **Lock**, **Solo**, **Enable/Disable** (visibility), and sync lock.

> **Note:** Track groups are one level deep and act as headers — mute, visibility, and lock flow from a group down to its tracks.

## Add and arrange clips

- Drag a clip from the Media panel onto a video or audio track.
- Use the **Selection** tool (`V`) to move and rearrange clips.
- **Linked selection** keeps a video clip and its audio moving together; unlink them to edit one alone.
- Nudge a selected item with `⇧Arrow` (1px) or `⇧⌘Arrow` (10px).

## Split, join, and delete

- Split at the playhead with `⌥C`, or use the **Razor** tool (`C`) to cut wherever you click.
- Join adjacent sections of the same clip with `⇧J`.
- **Delete** leaves a gap; **Ripple Delete** (`⌘Delete`) removes the clip and closes the gap.
- Use **Close All Gaps** to pull clips together and remove empty space on a track.

## Snapping and ranges

- Toggle snapping with `S` so clips snap to nearby cuts and the playhead.
- Set an in point (`I`) and out point (`O`) to mark a range on the timeline, or use the timeline's **More** menu; clear them with `⌥X`.
- Markers your agent places show on the ruler. Click one to change its label, color or frame in the Inspector, or to delete it.

## Sequences (multi-timeline)

A **sequence** is a self-contained timeline with its own tracks, clips, and in/out range. The tab bar above the timeline lists the **Main** timeline plus every sequence — click a tab to switch which one you are editing.

- Create a sequence with the **+** button at the end of the tab bar; it opens as its own tab.
- Switch sequences by clicking a tab; the **Main** tab is always first.
- Double-click a tab to **rename** it, or use the tab options menu (⋮) for **Rename**, **Close tab**, and **Delete sequence**.
- **Close tab** only removes the tab — the sequence stays available in the Media panel and in any clips that reference it. **Delete sequence** removes it entirely (undoable), along with any clips that reference it.
- A **compound clip** can be opened as a sequence tab — in the Media panel, right-click a compound clip and choose **Open as tab** to edit it as a standalone timeline.
- Drop a sequence onto the timeline to nest it as a clip (labelled **Sequence**); double-click that clip to jump to its tab.

> **Note:** Each sequence keeps its own in/out range, view, and undo history — switching tabs never mixes them.

## Zoom and undo

- Zoom with `⌘=` and `⌘-`, fit the whole edit with `\`, and return to 100% with `⇧\`.
- Zoom changes only the view, never clip timing.
- Undo with `⌘Z` and redo with `⇧⌘Z`; undo history depth is configurable in Settings.

## Related

- [Editing tools](https://formats.app/docs/editing-tools): Selection, razor, trim and rate stretch, plus the ripple and rolling trim behaviors.
- [Preview and playback](https://formats.app/docs/preview): Play, step frames, zoom the monitor, go fullscreen, save frames, and use proxy playback.
- [Media library](https://formats.app/docs/media): Import media, inspect files, and generate proxies, transcripts, captions, and AI scene data.
- [Export](https://formats.app/docs/export): Render video or audio on your Mac, choose the format and sequence, and clear any blocking checks.
- [Keyboard shortcuts](https://formats.app/docs/keyboard-shortcuts): Default shortcuts by group, plus how to search, rebind, and reset them.