---
name: reduce-vda-colors
description: "Run Filestar's \"reduce colors\" skill on .vda files on this computer (filestarcli). Use when the user asks to reduce colors a .vda file. Runs locally: the files stay on the computer. Example request: \"Use Filestar to reduce VDA colors in my Downloads folder\"."
---

# Reduce colors with Filestar

Filestar converts, resizes and inspects 1,600+ file types with one command line, `filestarcli`. Most skills run on this computer; the first run registers it anonymously with 50 free conversions, no account needed.

## Run it

```shell
filestarcli -i photo.vda -c "reduce colors" --cloud Disallowed --json --user-agent <agent>/<version>
```

`filestarcli` not installed? The pinned npm package runs the same command line:

```shell
npx -y filestar@30.7.1 -i photo.vda -c "reduce colors" --cloud Disallowed --json --user-agent <agent>/<version>
```

Read `outputs[]` in the JSON result: the absolute paths of the files written. Exit code 0 means every file was done.

## The loop

1. `filestarcli detect photo.vda --json`: the file type Filestar sees, and why. No network, nothing converted.
2. `filestarcli skills describe "reduce colors" -i photo.vda --json`: the skill's parameters, their types and defaults.
3. `filestarcli -i photo.vda -c "reduce colors" --cloud Disallowed --json --user-agent <agent>/<version>`: runs it.

## Rules

- `--cloud Disallowed` keeps the files on this computer: it refuses cloud and export skills. This skill runs locally, so keep it.
- Pass `--json` and `--user-agent <agent>/<version>` (your own name and version, such as `claude-code/2.1.4`) on every command.
- On `CliAllowanceUsed` (exit 5), `PlanRequired` or `NotEnoughCredits` (exit 4): show the person `error.forUser` and the link (`error.url`), then stop. Do not retry or work around it.
- Take parameter names from `filestarcli skills describe`; never guess them.
- On Windows call `filestarcli`, never `filestar`: with the desktop app installed, `filestar` opens the app.

## More

- This conversion on the web: https://filestar.com/skills/vda/reduce-vda-colors
- Filestar with AI agents: https://filestar.com/help/ai-agents
- Every command, JSON shape and exit code: `filestarcli agent readme`
- The MCP server, for agents without a shell: `npx -y filestar@30.7.1 mcp`
- The Filestar skill and plugins for every agent: https://github.com/filestar/filestar-agent