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How to install kneecap on Android using a Windows PC

kneecap does what CapCut does, and CapCut costs $20/mo. This guide gets you the free one.

What you end up with

kneecap running on your Android. It is free, and it stays free — there is no account, no trial and no subscription at the end of this.

Time
About 40 minutes
Steps
16
Cost
Free

Before you start

These are one-time installs. If you have used PowerShell before, you may have them already — the first step checks.

  1. Install Git

    Run the installer, then reopen PowerShell.

    Open installer

    You know this worked when: Git responds with a version number

  2. Install Node LTS

    Run the LTS installer, then reopen PowerShell.

    Open download

    You know this worked when: Node responds with a version number

Install kneecap

  1. Open PowerShell

    Keep it open beside this page.

    You know this worked when: PowerShell is open

  2. Check Git and Node

    Git and the current Node LTS are required.

    Type this into PowerShell, then press Enter.

    git --version
node --version

    You know this worked when: Git and Node respond with version numbers

  3. Install Bun

    kneecap's workspace is built with Bun. This installs it through npm.

    Type this into PowerShell, then press Enter.

    npm.cmd install -g bun

    You know this worked when: Bun responds with a version number

  4. Copy kneecap to this PC

    Type this into PowerShell, then press Enter.

    cd ~
if [ ! -d kneecap/.git ]; then
git clone https://github.com/Blueturboguy07/kneecap.git
fi

    You know this worked when: A kneecap folder appears

  5. Open the kneecap folder

    Type this into PowerShell, then press Enter.

    cd kneecap

    You know this worked when: Your terminal prompt is inside the kneecap folder

  6. Use the reviewed version

    Type this into PowerShell, then press Enter.

    git checkout fc48ba487a1e0d0cd10b30d6600acd2895ffdbed

    You know this worked when: Git reports the reviewed commit

  7. Install the workspace

    A few minutes the first time — it is a Rust and TypeScript monorepo.

    Type this into PowerShell, then press Enter.

    bun.cmd install

    You know this worked when: The command finishes without an error

  8. Build the editor

    Bundles the editor into apps/mobile/www — the assets the phone app loads offline.

    Type this into PowerShell, then press Enter.

    cd apps/mobile
bun.cmd run build

    You know this worked when: Vite reports the build finished

  9. Install Android Studio

    It brings the Android tools and Java with it. Open it once and let setup finish.

    Open download

    You know this worked when: Android Studio opens to its welcome screen

  10. Copy the editor into the Android app

    Type this into PowerShell, then press Enter.

    bunx.cmd cap sync android

    You know this worked when: Capacitor reports the sync finished

  11. Open the android folder in it

    Choose Open, then the android folder inside kneecap/apps/mobile. Let it sync.

    You know this worked when: Android Studio finishes syncing without an error

  12. Turn on USB debugging

    Settings, About phone, tap Build number 7 times. Then Developer options, USB debugging.

    You know this worked when: USB debugging is switched on

  13. Press Run

    Connect by USB, accept the phone's prompt, pick it in the menu, then Run.

    You know this worked when: kneecap appears in your app list

  14. Check that it works

    Open kneecap, start a project, add a clip from your gallery, then Export.

    You know this worked when: The exported video saves back to your gallery

If something goes wrong

Nothing here can damage your computer, and every step can be run again safely. If a command fails, the usual cause is the step before it not having finished.

Still stuck? Tell us what happened and we will fix the guide. Include the step number and we can usually reproduce it.

Have a different setup?