A wrapper for a python script to transform a vtt file to a text file ready for editing.

vtt_process.zsh

# vtt_process
# Version: 1.0
#
# Process a Zoom/Teams .vtt transcript file for research use.
# Removes timecodes, merges same-speaker blocks, replaces speaker
# names with interview labels (I / R), and applies US → UK spelling.
# Output is written alongside the original as <name>_edited.txt.
#
# Dependency: relies on the file vtt_process.py. 
#
# Usage:
#   vtt_process <file.vtt>
#   vtt_process <file.vtt> --self "Other Name"
#
# Created by Anthony Arblaster on 28 March 2026.
#
# Copyright Anthony Arblaster 2026.
#    – Web: https://codebyanthony.com
#    – Mastodon: https://mastodonapp.uk/@aarblaster
#    – GitHub: https://github.com/aarblaster


#!/bin/zsh

# Process a Zoom/Teams .vtt transcript for research use
function vtt_process() {
	local script="/user/pathname/vtt_process.py"
	if [[ -z "$1" ]]; then
		echo "Usage: vtt_process <file.vtt> [--self \"Speaker Name\"]"
		return 1
	fi
	python3 "$script" "$@"
}

The script is a wrapper for python code!

This is a simple zsh wrapper to make use of a python script called vtt_process. It won't do anything without the python script.

More information

For more information about the usage of this gist you can read about it on my site at phd.anthonyarblaster.com/phd/Transcript-Management/.
I developed this as part of my PhD research. You can read more at phd.anthonyarblaster.com.