Project Setup
A well-structured project is the difference between smooth editing and hours of broken-link headaches. Set it up right the first time.
Kdenlive's .kdenlive project file stores references to your source media — not the media itself. If you move files after creating the project, Kdenlive loses track of them. Structure your folders before you start.
The Screencast Project Folder Structure
~/Videos/
my-tutorial-topic/
my-tutorial-topic.kdenlive ← project file (Ctrl+S saves here)
recordings/ ← raw OBS/screen captures
raw-take-01.mp4
raw-take-02.mp4
audio/ ← music, SFX, voiceover
background-music.mp3
voiceover.wav
assets/ ← images, slides, logos
thumbnail.png
logo.png
exports/ ← final rendered videos
my-tutorial-topic-v1.mp4
proxy/ ← auto-created by Kdenlive
# Create from terminal:
mkdir -p ~/Videos/my-tutorial-topic/{recordings,audio,assets,exports}
Creating a New Project
Ctrl+N (or Menu → File → New)
New Project dialog — what to set:
| Field | Value for screencasts |
|---|---|
| Project folder | ~/Videos/my-tutorial-topic/ |
| Project name | my-tutorial-topic |
| Profile | HD 1080p 30fps (match your recording) |
| Default audio tracks | 2 (one for system, one for mic) |
| Default video tracks | 2 (one for recording, one for titles) |
Always match the project profile to your screen recording. If OBS records at 1920×1080 @ 30fps, select HD 1080p 30fps. A mismatched profile results in black borders, upscaling, or incorrect speed.
Project Profile Reference
| Recording setup | Kdenlive profile to use |
|---|---|
| 1920×1080 @ 30fps (standard YouTube) | HD 1080p 30fps |
| 1920×1080 @ 60fps (smooth demos) | HD 1080p 60fps |
| 2560×1440 @ 30fps (2K monitor) | UHD 1440p 30fps |
| 3840×2160 @ 30fps (4K) | UHD 2160p 30fps |
| 1280×720 @ 30fps (quick tips) | HD 720p 30fps |
Enable "Check if first added clip matches project profile" in Ctrl+Shift+, → Misc tab. When you add the first clip, Kdenlive will offer to auto-match the project profile to your recording.
Configuring Proxy Clips
Proxy clips let you edit smooth, even with heavy 1080p footage:
Ctrl+Shift+, → Configure Kdenlive
→ Proxy Clips tab:
✅ Enable proxy clips
Proxy video format: MPEG2 (or H264)
Proxy size: 960×540 (half of 1080p)
Auto-generate: ✅
After enabling, right-click any clip in the Project Bin → "Generate Proxy".
The proxy loads automatically; the original is used for final render.
Project Settings (After Creation)
Access anytime: Menu → Project → Project Settings
| Setting | What to configure |
|---|---|
| Profile | Change resolution/FPS if needed |
| Default tracks | Add/remove default tracks |
| Preview resolution | Lower for better playback performance |
| Timeline zoom | Set default zoom level |
| Audio channels | Stereo (2) for screencasts |
Saving the Project
Ctrl+S → Save project (overwrites current file)
Ctrl+Shift+S → Save As (new file name/location)
Auto-save: Configured in Ctrl+Shift+, → Misc → Auto-save interval
Save with Ctrl+S every 5 minutes. Kdenlive is stable, but video editing is complex — autosave is not a substitute for intentional saves.
Opening and Recovering Projects
Ctrl+O → Open existing .kdenlive project
Menu → File → Open Recent → [project name]
If media is missing (moved/renamed):
Kdenlive shows "Clip not found" dialog
→ Click "Browse" to locate the file manually
→ Kdenlive updates the reference for that clip
→ Repeat for each missing clip
Avoid moving source files once a project is created. If you must reorganize, use "Restore missing files" and redirect all clips together.
Hands-On Practice
1. Create project folder:
mkdir -p ~/Videos/test-screencast/{recordings,audio,assets,exports}
2. Open Kdenlive → Ctrl+N
Set folder: ~/Videos/test-screencast/
Set profile: HD 1080p 30fps
Click OK
3. Enable proxy clips:
Ctrl+Shift+, → Proxy Clips → enable
4. Save project:
Ctrl+S
Verify: ls ~/Videos/test-screencast/
→ Should see test-screencast.kdenlive
5. Add a track:
Right-click track header → Add Track
Type: Video, Position: Below
6. Save again: Ctrl+S