How to Clip on Twitch: Tools and Commands
Clips help grow your Twitch channel. But making clips, editing them, and posting them to TikTok or YouTube Shorts takes time. Twitch has a built-in clip tool. There are also faster ways, and tools that do the whole job for you.
How do I clip on Twitch?
Click the clip icon on the video player. It works on a live stream or a past broadcast (VOD). Drag the slider to pick up to 60 seconds, add a title, and click Publish. On desktop, Alt+X (Option+X on Mac) also opens the clip tool for most people. You can also use a !clip chat command, a Stream Deck button, or Clipbot's hotkey. Clipbot then crops your clips to vertical, adds captions, and posts them to YouTube Shorts and TikTok overnight.
Make Twitch Clips with the Clip Icon or Alt+X
Hover over the video and click the clip icon. The Clip Creator opens as a small window on top of the stream, so you keep watching while you clip.
- Drag the slider under the video to pick your moment. Clips can be up to 60 seconds.
- Check the crop. Twitch suggests a portrait crop that keeps the cam and gameplay in frame. You can keep it, change it, or skip it.
- Add a title and click Publish. The clip is not saved until you publish.
Many people open the same tool with Alt+X (Option+X on Mac). Twitch's help page only shows the clip icon. If the shortcut does nothing, click the video first or use the icon.
Your clips show up in the Clips Manager in your Creator Dashboard. Any logged-in viewer can clip your stream too, unless you limit it in your Clips Settings. You can limit clips to followers or subscribers, or turn them off.
Clip a Past Broadcast (VOD)
You can clip a stream after it ends. Open the past broadcast, go to the moment you want, and click the clip icon. The steps are the same as on a live stream.
Twitch says clips made in the first 1:30 of a VOD may fail. Pick a moment after that. The streamer must also allow clips from VODs in their Clips Settings.
Clip on Twitch Mobile
On the Twitch app, tap the video so the player buttons show. Then tap Clip. Trim the clip, add a title, and publish.
You can trim and title clips on mobile. You cannot edit the portrait layout on mobile yet. Do that later in the Clips Manager on desktop.
Clip with Your Voice
Streamers can also clip hands-free. Say "Twitch, Clip That" out loud while you are live. Twitch makes the clip and sends you a notice. The clip lands in your Clips Manager.
Use a Clip Command with Nightbot or StreamElements
Chat commands let you create clips without opening the editor. When you or a viewer types !clip in chat, your chatbot creates a clip of the moment.
Nightbot, Fossabot, and StreamElements let you add a custom clip command that calls a clip service. For Nightbot, you can set up a clip command that connects to Clipbot without exposing your Twitch access token in chat.
Chat commands are faster than the clip icon because you do not leave the stream or open the editor. Clips are created in the background.
Create Clips with Stream Deck Buttons
Stream Deck is a physical device with programmable buttons. With Elgato's Twitch integration, a button can create a clip of your stream when you press it.
You do not need to type a chat command or open an editor. Stream Deck creates the clip in the background. The clip appears in your Twitch Creator Dashboard.
Stream Deck also has a mobile app for iOS and Android. You do not need the physical hardware. Download it from Elgato's website.
Automate Clipping and Uploads with Clipbot
Twitch lets you post a clip to TikTok or YouTube one at a time. If you want every good clip posted for you, use Clipbot.
Clipbot lets you set a keyboard hotkey to clip a moment from your stream. Once the clip is created, Clipbot:
- Detects the new clip
- Crops it vertically for mobile screens
- Adds captions
- Uploads it to YouTube Shorts or TikTok overnight
You can approve clips before they are published, or set automatic approval rules. You do not need to download clips, open a video editor, or upload by hand.
Clipbot also works with Nightbot clip commands. Connect Clipbot to Nightbot so viewers can create clips with !clip, and Clipbot handles the rest.
Related Guides
Once you've created clips, learn how to edit Twitch clips for YouTube Shorts with vertical cropping and captions. To find clips you already made, see how to find your clips on Twitch. If you used Combo or Powder, both shut down. See Combo clip alternatives and Clipbot vs Powder. For a !clip command, see the Nightbot clip command setup guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clip on Twitch?
Click the clip icon on the video player. It works on a live stream or a past broadcast. Drag the slider to pick up to 60 seconds, add a title, and click Publish. On desktop, many people also use Alt+X (Option+X on Mac) to open the clip tool. You can also use a !clip chat command, a Stream Deck button, or Clipbot's hotkey.
How long can a Twitch clip be?
A Twitch clip can be up to 60 seconds long. You set the length with the slider in the Clip Creator before you publish.
Can you clip a Twitch VOD?
Yes. Open the past broadcast, go to the moment you want, and click the clip icon. Twitch says clips made in the first 1:30 of a VOD may fail, so pick a later moment. The streamer must allow clips from VODs in their Clips Settings.
How do I clip on Twitch mobile?
Tap the video so the player buttons show, then tap Clip. Trim the clip, add a title, and publish. On mobile you can trim and title a clip, but you cannot edit the portrait layout yet.
What is the Twitch clip shortcut?
Alt+X on Windows and Option+X on Mac is the widely used shortcut. Twitch's help page only shows the clip icon, so if the shortcut does nothing, click the video first or use the icon.
What is the Twitch clip command for Nightbot and StreamElements?
Neither bot has a built-in clip command, but you can add a custom !clip command that calls a clip service when someone types it in chat. Nightbot can connect to Clipbot's API to create clips without exposing your Twitch token.
Can I use Stream Deck to make Twitch clips?
Yes. Stream Deck has a Twitch clip action that creates a clip when you press the button. Stream Deck is available as a physical device or a mobile app for iOS and Android.
What is the difference between Clipbot and manual clip tools?
Manual tools like the clip icon or chat commands make one clip at a time, and you post each one yourself. Clipbot picks up your new clips and crops, captions, and uploads them to YouTube Shorts or TikTok overnight. If you used Combo or Powder, both shut down. See Combo clip alternatives and Clipbot vs Powder.
How do I automate Twitch clip uploads to YouTube Shorts and TikTok?
Use Clipbot to automate uploads. After you create clips with Clipbot's hotkey or Nightbot command, Clipbot crops clips vertically, adds captions, and uploads them to YouTube Shorts or TikTok overnight. Clipbot starts with a 7-day trial, then Pro is $15/mo or $9/mo billed yearly ($108). Captions are a Pro feature. You can approve clips before publishing or set automatic approval rules.
Can I create Twitch clips without a Stream Deck?
Yes. You can use the clip icon or Alt+X on Twitch, set up a !clip chat command with Nightbot or StreamElements, or use Clipbot's keyboard hotkey. Stream Deck is optional.