Sashimii app iconDaVinci Resolve app icon

Sashimii vs DaVinci Resolve

Checked against DaVinci Resolve 21.1.2

Finishing suite

DaVinci Resolve is a complete editor for Mac, Windows and Linux, with colour grading, Fusion effects and Fairlight audio. It is free, or $295 for Studio.

  • Mac · Windows · Linux
  • Free, or Studio for $295
Rough cut first

Sashimii is a Mac app for one job that comes before all that: your own AI agent drafts the rough cut of a talking-head recording from its transcript, and you check every join to the frame.

  • macOS 26 or later, Apple silicon
  • Free during the beta
Use both

If you need a finishing tool, use Resolve. If the slow part of your week is cutting a 30-minute recording down to the video, Sashimii does that part, then hands Resolve separate clips on your original footage.

  • Sashimii, then DaVinci Resolve
  • Handoff before grade and composite

Pick DaVinci Resolve if you need

  • Colour grading
  • Compositing and motion graphics
  • Audio post
  • Multicam
  • Working as a team
  • Windows and Linux
  • The free version
  • Built-in AI
Where DaVinci Resolve is better

Pick Sashimii if

  • you make talking-head videos on a Mac, and you record far more than you keep.
  • you already use Claude Code or Codex, or are happy to, and want it to make the first editorial pass.
  • you want to hear every join before you publish, and fix it to the frame.
  • you finish in Resolve, or your video is simple enough to render straight from Sashimii.
Who it’s for, and who it isn’t

The Job, Side by Side

  1. 01Record

    Shooting the video. Neither tool on these pages records it; it is the source media every later stage works on.

  2. Agent draftYour agent picks the takes from the transcript; Sashimii places every cut on the waveform.
    02Rough cut
    Edit, text editingThe cut and edit pages, plus text-based editing from a transcript in Studio.
  3. Join reviewJoin review steps through every join at frame zoom.
    03Fix joins
    Trim toolsContext-sensitive trim tools and dynamic JKL trimming on the edit page.
  4. Graphics from notespartlyYour agent builds on-screen text, karaoke captions and graphics from your notes, in your Style. No subtitle track.
    04Graphics and captions
    Fusion, subtitlesFusion titles and motion graphics, and subtitles from audio in Studio.
  5. Chapter listChapter notes become the m:ss list for your YouTube description.
    05Chapters
    Chapters from markersMarkers of one colour become chapters in MP4 and QuickTime renders, and in uploads to YouTube from Resolve.

  6. Handoff to DaVinci Resolve. Sashimii's Resolve export (FCPXML 1.13) brings the cut in as separate clips on your original recording, so grading and compositing happen in Resolve.

    06Grade and composite
    Color, FusionThe color page for grading and the Fusion page for compositing and effects.
  7. MP4 or ResolveRenders an MP4, or exports separate clips on your original recording to Resolve.
    07Export
    DeliverThe deliver page renders finished files, and projects move to Final Cut Pro, Media Composer and Premiere Pro.

How Sashimii Is Different

  1. The cut is made to be checked. Your agent decides what goes, naming each cut by its first and last word. Then Sashimii moves every cut edge onto the waveform and flags the pauses it isn’t sure about. Join review steps through every join in order at frame zoom, so you can listen across it, nudge it a frame and accept it. A rough cut you can trust is one you have heard join by join.
  2. One pass through the transcript. While you review, you leave notes on words: a zoom here, text on screen there, a chapter starting at this line. Your agent turns those notes into graphics in your Style, and the chapter notes become the list for your YouTube description. Cuts, graphics and chapters are decided while you watch the recording once.
  3. Your agent works on files it can read. A Sashimii project is a folder of plain JSON beside your recording, and the agent drives it with a command-line tool, writing a whole draft in a few commands. Resolve 21.1 Studio can now be driven by an agent too, through its built-in MCP server. Shane, who makes Sashimii, has edited that way: it works decently, but for a talking-head rough cut he found it very slow and token-hungry. That is his experience, not a measurement, and there are no side-by-side numbers on this page until a test has measured them.
Sashimii’s join review on the demo project: the first join at frame zoom with its waveform and edge, Play, Restore and Accept buttons, and the list of every join with what was cut there.
Join review, on the demo project.

Feature by Feature

Showing where they differ and what Sashimii is built for.Showing all 35 rows. Tap a cell for its source. What Sashimii is built for, shown even where both have it.

SashimiiDaVinci Resolve
Transcript and rough cut
Your own AI agent drafts the cut
YesClaude Code or Codex drafts the cut through the Sashimii skill and command-line tool.

sashimii.app/docs/drafting-with-your-agentChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

YesClaude, Claude Code or Codex can analyze projects, remove clips and build highlight edits through Resolve's MCP server. Studio only.

blackmagicdesign.com/media/release/20260908-03Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1

A rough-cut workflow for your agent
YesThe Sashimii skill teaches your agent the drafting steps and take rules; "check Sashimii" finds the work, and the agent leaves a note on every judgement call.

sashimii.app/docs/drafting-with-your-agentChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

No dedicated toolBlackmagic's docs don't describe one. The MCP server lets an assistant operate Resolve in general (analyze, organize, remove clips, render).

blackmagicdesign.com/media/release/20260908-03Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

Cut edges placed on the waveform
YesThe edge pass moves every cut edge onto the audio and flags borderline pauses.

sashimii.app/docs/cuttingChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

No dedicated toolDeleting words in the Transcription window cuts at the transcript's word times (Reference Manual p. 999), but nothing moves those edges onto the waveform.

documents.blackmagicdesign.com/UserManuals/DaVinciResolveReferenceManual.pdf#page=999Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1 Reference Manual (Sep 2026)Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

Borderline pauses flagged for you
YesThe edge pass cuts clear pauses and flags borderline ones, such as "Pause 0.4s · cut?", for you to answer Cut or Keep.

sashimii.app/docs/cuttingChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

No dedicated toolRemove Silent Portions (p. 997) and Ripple Delete Silence (p. 773) cut silences by a threshold, but nothing flags borderline pauses for review.

documents.blackmagicdesign.com/UserManuals/DaVinciResolveReferenceManual.pdf#page=773Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1 Reference Manual (Sep 2026)Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

Join-by-join review at frame zoom
YesSteps through every join at frame zoom; play across it, nudge, accept.

sashimii.app/docs/reviewing-joinsChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

No dedicated toolPrevious and Next Edit (p. 640) and the Trim Editor (p. 729) work on one edit at a time; nothing steps through every join and tracks which are done.

documents.blackmagicdesign.com/UserManuals/DaVinciResolveReferenceManual.pdf#page=729Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1 Reference Manual (Sep 2026)Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

Missed speech recovered
YesWhere the waveform hears speech that no word covers, that stretch is transcribed again on its own.

sashimii.app/docs/projectsChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

No dedicated toolBlackmagic's docs don't describe one. Transcribe Missing Clips adds clips that were never transcribed; it doesn't recheck gaps.

documents.blackmagicdesign.com/UserManuals/DaVinciResolveReferenceManual.pdf#page=997Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1 Reference Manual (Sep 2026)Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

Build a timeline from a script
NoSashimii cuts one recording from its transcript; it doesn't match a script to clips.

sashimii.app/docs/projectsChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

YesIntelliScript matches a script to your clips and builds the timeline, best take on track 1. Studio only.

documents.blackmagicdesign.com/SupportNotes/DaVinci_Resolve_20_New_Features_Guide.pdfChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 20 and later

Graphics, chapters and sound
Notes on words become graphics and chapters
YesSelect words, press N and tag the note (Text on screen, Zoom, B-roll, Chapter and more); your agent builds the graphics in your Style, and Chapter notes become chapters.

sashimii.app/docs/notesChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

No dedicated toolThe Transcription window puts a marker at a word (p. 998) and markers can become chapters (p. 1022), but nothing turns a note into a graphic.

documents.blackmagicdesign.com/UserManuals/DaVinciResolveReferenceManual.pdf#page=998Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1 Reference Manual (Sep 2026)Know of one? Tell us and we’ll fix this row

YouTube chapters
YesCopy YouTube Chapters copies one m:ss line per chapter, with 0:00 added when needed.

sashimii.app/docs/chaptersChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

YesChapters from Markers, in MP4 and QuickTime renders and in uploads to YouTube from Resolve.

documents.blackmagicdesign.com/UserManuals/DaVinciResolveReferenceManual.pdf#page=4105Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1 Reference Manual (Sep 2026)

Voice cleanup
YesReduces noise and room echo on your Mac, with Listen to Cleaned or Original to compare.

sashimii.app/docs/voice-cleanupChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

YesVoice Isolation (Studio) and Dialogue Leveler (free).

documents.blackmagicdesign.com/SupportNotes/DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_21_Features.pdfChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1 Studio and iPad Features (Sep 2026)

Subtitles from speech
NoKaraoke captions can be made as graphics from a note; there is no subtitle track or file.

sashimii.app/docs/notesChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

YesSubtitles from audio (Studio), exported as SRT, VTT or TTML or burned in.

blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/editChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1.2

Finishing suite
At a glance
Partly, 2 of 6Colour gradingCompositing and VFXMotion graphicsAudio postMulticamTeams on one project
All 6Colour gradingCompositing and VFXMotion graphicsAudio postMulticamTeams on one project
AI and agents
AI features built into the app
PartlySpeech recognition and voice cleanup, both on your Mac. The editorial calls come from your own agent, not a built-in model.

sashimii.app/docs/drafting-with-your-agentChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

YesThe DaVinci Neural Engine (Studio) for Magic Mask, Smart Reframe, IntelliSearch, Voice Isolation and more.

documents.blackmagicdesign.com/SupportNotes/DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_21_Features.pdfChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1 Studio and iPad Features (Sep 2026)

Export and handoff
Exports an editable timeline
PartlyDaVinci Resolve only (FCPXML 1.13, tested with Resolve 21.1.1). No Final Cut or Premiere export.

sashimii.app/docs/exportingChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

YesMoves projects between Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Media Composer and Premiere Pro.

blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolveChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1.2

Platforms
At a glance
1 of 4MacWindowsLinuxiPad
3 of 4, 1 partlyMacWindowsLinuxiPad
Requirements and price
Mac requirement
macOS 26 or later, Apple siliconAbout 1 GB of disk for the speech model, downloaded once.

sashimii.app/docs/getting-startedChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

macOS 15 Sequoia or later, Apple siliconFrom the 21.1 release notes' minimum system requirements.

blackmagicdesign.com/support/readme/baf7c071c0524fbf8ccc961925c9f443Checked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1

Release
BetaA free beta; testers are invited in small groups.

sashimii.app/betaChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

Public release, 21.1.221.1 came out on 8 September 2026, 21.1.1 on 2 October and 21.1.2 on 27 October.

blackmagicdesign.com/support/family/davinci-resolve-and-fusionChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1.2

Pricing
Free during the betaThe price after the beta isn't set yet.

sashimii.app/betaChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

Free, or Studio for $295The free version is capped at 8-bit, 60 fps and Ultra HD. On 4 Nov 2026 Blackmagic's page showed Studio on sale at $236.

blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolveChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1.2

What the AI costs
Your own agent's planDrafting runs on the Claude Code or Codex plan you already have, which may cost money. Transcription runs on your Mac.

sashimii.app/docs/drafting-with-your-agentChecked 4 Nov 2026 · v1 beta

Included in StudioThe Neural Engine comes with Studio. AI assistants are Studio-only and need your own MCP-compatible assistant.

documents.blackmagicdesign.com/SupportNotes/DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_21_Features.pdfChecked 4 Nov 2026 · 21.1 Studio and iPad Features (Sep 2026)

Where DaVinci Resolve Is Better

Resolve does far more than Sashimii, and for most of it Sashimii has no answer at all. If your video needs any of this, you need Resolve (or another full editor), whether or not you also use Sashimii:

  • Colour grading. The color page is one of the most capable colour tools there is. Sashimii has no colour tools.
  • Compositing and motion graphics. Fusion is a full node-based effects and motion graphics tool. Sashimii’s graphics are ones your agent writes from your notes, which you move, retime and approve.
  • Audio post. Fairlight is a complete audio post environment. Sashimii cleans up your voice and matches YouTube’s loudness on render, and that’s all.
  • Multicam. Resolve syncs and cuts between many camera angles. A Sashimii project is one video, with at most one separate audio recording.
  • Working as a team. Several people can work on one Resolve timeline, even in the free version. Sashimii projects live on one Mac.
  • Windows and Linux. Resolve runs on both, and partly on iPad. Sashimii is Mac only, macOS 26 or later.
  • The free version. Resolve’s free version is a real editor, capped at 8-bit, 60 fps and Ultra HD. Sashimii is free during its beta, but it is a beta and its price isn’t set yet.
  • Built-in AI. Studio’s Neural Engine does subtitles from speech, IntelliScript timelines from a script, Magic Mask, Smart Reframe, Voice Isolation and more. Sashimii’s built-in processing stops at speech recognition and voice cleanup, both on your Mac; the editorial calls come from your own agent.

Who Sashimii Is For, and Who It Isn’t

Sashimii is for you if:

  • You make talking-head videos on a Mac, and you record far more than you keep.
  • You already use Claude Code or Codex, or are happy to, and want it to make the first editorial pass.
  • You want to hear every join before you publish, and fix it to the frame.
  • You finish in Resolve, or your video is simple enough to render straight from Sashimii.

It isn’t for you if:

  • You edit on Windows or Linux.
  • You want one app for grading, effects, multicam and the mix. That’s Resolve on its own.
  • You work with a team on shared projects.
  • You shoot from a script across many clips. IntelliScript, in Resolve Studio, is built for that.
  • You don’t want an AI agent involved. Sashimii can cut from the transcript by hand, but its point is the agent’s draft.

Using Them Together

This is the workflow Sashimii is built around, and the one handoff it has tested: cut in Sashimii, finish in Resolve.

  1. Draft and review in Sashimii. Your agent drafts the cut, and you review the joins and leave notes for graphics and chapters.
  2. Export to DaVinci Resolve. Export As: DaVinci Resolve writes an FCPXML 1.13 bundle built from your original media. Each kept section is its own clip on your original recording, your source timecode is kept, and the sound is your original recording, not the cleaned voice, so you can do your own sound work in Fairlight.
  3. Finish in Resolve. Import the bundle, then ripple, add B-roll, grade and mix as if you had cut it there. Joins arrive as hard cuts. In the current build, notes, chapters and graphics come across in the export report as reminders, not finished graphics, because Resolve doesn’t read the bundle’s markers yet.

The export is tested with DaVinci Resolve 21.1.1, and Resolve is the only editor Sashimii exports to. See Exporting for the details.

Pricing

Sashimii

Price
Free during the betaThe price after the beta isn't set yet.Source, checked 4 Nov 2026
AI
Your own agent's planDrafting runs on the Claude Code or Codex plan you already have, which may cost money. Transcription runs on your Mac.Source, checked 4 Nov 2026
Status
BetaA free beta; testers are invited in small groups.Source, checked 4 Nov 2026

DaVinci Resolve

Price
Free, or Studio for $295The free version is capped at 8-bit, 60 fps and Ultra HD. On 4 Nov 2026 Blackmagic's page showed Studio on sale at $236.Source, checked 4 Nov 2026
AI
Included in StudioThe Neural Engine comes with Studio. AI assistants are Studio-only and need your own MCP-compatible assistant.Source, checked 4 Nov 2026
Status
Public release, 21.1.221.1 came out on 8 September 2026, 21.1.1 on 2 October and 21.1.2 on 27 October.Source, checked 4 Nov 2026

FAQ

Is Sashimii an alternative to DaVinci Resolve?

For most people, no. Sashimii does the rough cut of a talking-head recording, then either renders it or hands it to Resolve to finish. It has no colour, effects, multicam or mixing tools, so if you need those, you still need Resolve.

Does DaVinci Resolve have text-based editing?

Yes, in DaVinci Resolve Studio. It transcribes clips, and you can cut, copy, paste or delete text in the Transcription window and mirror the changes to the timeline. Studio’s IntelliScript also builds a timeline by matching a written script to your clips.

Can an AI agent edit in DaVinci Resolve?

Yes. DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Studio has a native MCP server, and Blackmagic names Claude, Claude Code and ChatGPT Codex as assistants that can analyze projects, organize media, remove clips and render. Shane’s experience is that it works decently but is slow and token-hungry for talking-head rough cuts; Sashimii’s agent works on the project’s files and a command-line tool instead.

Does Resolve's transcription have word-level timing?

Yes. The 21.1 scripting API returns a clip’s transcription with speaker and timing data, including each word’s start and end. How accurate those word times are for cutting hasn’t been tested for this page.

Can DaVinci Resolve make YouTube chapters?

Yes. Resolve turns timeline markers of one colour into chapters, in MP4 and QuickTime renders and in uploads to YouTube made from Resolve. Sashimii makes chapters from notes on the transcript and copies them as the list for your video’s description.

Do I need DaVinci Resolve to use Sashimii?

No. Sashimii renders a finished MP4 itself, with its graphics, in HEVC or H.264. Resolve is for when you want to grade, add effects or do more editing after the rough cut.

Does Sashimii run on Windows?

No. Sashimii is a Mac app for Apple silicon Macs on macOS 26 or later. Resolve runs on Mac, Windows and Linux.

What do they cost?

DaVinci Resolve is free, and DaVinci Resolve Studio is $295 (Blackmagic’s page showed it on sale at $236 on 4 November 2026). Sashimii is free during its beta and its price isn’t set yet. Drafting uses your own Claude Code or Codex plan, which may cost money.

Spot something wrong, or out of date? Write to [email protected] and it gets fixed, Blackmagic Design included.

Try Sashimii on Your Next Recording

Sashimii is in a free beta for Mac. Testers are invited in small groups, and you’ll get an email when it’s your turn.

Join the beta

macOS 26 or later · Apple silicon