Smart Chapters

Smart Chapters is a lightweight OBS Lua script that creates timestamped chapter markers during streams or recordings. Add chapters manually via hotkey or automatically on scene changes, with optional per-scene labels saved to a plain text file.

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Smart Chapters (Lua Script for OBS Studio)

I created Smart Chapters as a lightweight Lua script for OBS Studio to solve a very common problem in livestreaming and recording workflows: keeping track of important moments in real time. Instead of relying on memory or scrubbing through hours of footage later, I can instantly create timestamped chapter markers while I stream or record. These chapters are written directly to a simple plain text file, making them easy to reuse for YouTube chapters, video descriptions, editing timelines, or archived VOD notes.

The script runs natively inside OBS Studio using Lua, so there are no external plugins, no additional software, and no complicated setup. Everything happens directly within OBS, which keeps the workflow clean, efficient, and reliable.

How Smart Chapters Works

At its core, Smart Chapters tracks the elapsed time of your stream or recording session. Whenever a chapter is triggered, the script writes a new line to your selected text file. Each entry contains a precise timestamp and a descriptive label, keeping the format both human-readable and editor-friendly.

At the beginning of every new stream or recording, the script inserts a clear session header in the file. This makes it possible to reuse the same chapter file across multiple sessions without confusion. Each stream is clearly separated, so I can always tell which markers belong to which broadcast.

Smart Chapters focuses on simplicity: clean timestamps, clear labels, and a format that works everywhere.

Key Features

Smart Chapters includes several practical features designed specifically for content creators, streamers, and editors:

  • Manual chapter markers: I can drop a chapter instantly using a customizable hotkey at any moment during a stream or recording.
  • Automatic scene-based chapters: When enabled, the script automatically adds a new chapter every time I switch scenes in OBS.
  • Scene label overrides: I can map OBS scene names to custom chapter titles for cleaner, more professional output.
  • Plain text output: The chapters are stored in a simple .txt file that can be opened in any editor.
  • Session separators: Each stream or recording session is clearly marked with a header line.
  • No external dependencies: The script runs directly inside OBS Studio using Lua.

Installation in OBS Studio

Installing Smart Chapters takes less than a minute:

  1. Open OBS Studio.
  2. Navigate to Tools and select Scripts.
  3. Click the + button and load the smart_chapters.lua file.

Once loaded, the script settings will appear inside the Scripts panel, allowing full configuration without restarting OBS.

Configuration Options

The first step is choosing the location of the chapters file. I typically set a path such as:

D:\OBS\chapters.txt

If I want automatic chapters whenever I switch scenes, I enable the option to add a chapter on scene change. This is particularly useful for structured content such as tutorials, podcasts, or segmented livestream shows.

For more control, I can configure scene label overrides. Each line follows a simple format where the left side matches the OBS scene name exactly, and the right side defines the chapter label written to the file. This allows me to transform technical scene names into viewer-friendly chapter titles.

Hotkey Setup for Manual Chapters

To create chapter markers on demand, I bind a hotkey inside OBS:

  1. Open Settings and go to Hotkeys.
  2. Find Smart Chapters: Add chapter (current scene).
  3. Assign a preferred key combination.

During a live stream or recording session, pressing the hotkey instantly creates a new timestamp entry in the chapter file.

Example Output File

A typical chapter file generated by Smart Chapters looks like this: 

# --- New session: 2025-12-01 20:00:15 ---
00:00 - Intro
03:25 - Gameplay Start
14:10 - Boss Fight
23:42 - Break

The format is intentionally minimal. This makes it easy to copy timestamps directly into a YouTube description, import them into editing software as references, or share them with collaborators.

Ideal Use Cases for Streamers and Creators

I find Smart Chapters especially valuable for long-form content. When streaming for multiple hours, it becomes difficult to remember exactly when specific events occurred. With chapter markers, I can:

  • Prepare clean YouTube chapters in seconds.
  • Mark highlights or key moments during gameplay.
  • Structure podcasts, tutorials, or educational content.
  • Simplify post-production editing by referencing exact timestamps.

Whether I am creating structured tutorials, event-based streams, gaming sessions, or talk shows, Smart Chapters helps maintain organization and improves overall content workflow. By combining manual hotkeys with automatic scene-based markers, I can adapt the script to match any production style while keeping everything lightweight and efficient inside OBS Studio.

Add this asset to your production workflow

This download is meant to be evaluated in context, not treated as a generic file. Compare it with your current layout or workflow, then keep the parts that make your content clearer, faster, or more professional.

For this specific resource, the key value is: Smart Chapters is a lightweight OBS Lua script that creates timestamped chapter markers during streams or recordings. Add chapters manually. Use the link below only after reading the details above so visitors understand what they are opening and why it belongs in their streaming workflow.

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