add trim_episode_start dataset edit operation

Add a dataset edit operation to trim the first N seconds from episodes while rebuilding frame and episode indices and metadata consistently. Skip episodes that are too short to trim and cover parsing plus metadata invariants with focused tests.

Made-with: Cursor

pyproject.toml

@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ dependencies = [
     "accelerate>=1.10.0,<2.0.0",
 
     # Core dependencies
-    "numpy>=2.0.0,<2.3.0", # TODO: upper bound imposed by opencv-python-headless
+    "numpy>=2.0.0,<2.3.0", # NOTE: Explicitly listing numpy helps the resolver converge faster. Upper bound imposed by opencv-python-headless.
     "setuptools>=71.0.0,<81.0.0",
     "cmake>=3.29.0.1,<4.2.0",
     "packaging>=24.2,<26.0",
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ can-dep = ["python-can>=4.2.0,<5.0.0"]
 peft-dep = ["peft>=0.18.0,<1.0.0"]
 scipy-dep = ["scipy>=1.14.0,<2.0.0"]
 qwen-vl-utils-dep = ["qwen-vl-utils>=0.0.11,<0.1.0"]
-matplotlib-dep = ["matplotlib>=3.10.3,<4.0.0", "contourpy>=1.3.0,<2.0.0"]
+matplotlib-dep = ["matplotlib>=3.10.3,<4.0.0", "contourpy>=1.3.0,<2.0.0"] # NOTE: Explicitly listing contourpy helps the resolver converge faster.
 
 # Motors
 feetech = ["feetech-servo-sdk>=1.0.0,<2.0.0"]
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ reachy2 = ["reachy2_sdk>=1.0.15,<1.1.0"]
 kinematics = ["lerobot[placo-dep]"]
 intelrealsense = [
     "pyrealsense2>=2.55.1.6486,<2.57.0 ; sys_platform != 'darwin'",
-    "pyrealsense2-macosx>=2.54,<2.55.0 ; sys_platform == 'darwin'",
+    "pyrealsense2-macosx>=2.54,<2.57.0 ; sys_platform == 'darwin'",
 ]
 phone = ["hebi-py>=2.8.0,<2.12.0", "teleop>=0.1.0,<0.2.0", "fastapi<1.0", "lerobot[scipy-dep]"]
 
@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ test = ["pytest>=8.1.0,<9.0.0", "pytest-timeout>=2.4.0,<3.0.0", "pytest-cov>=5.0
 video_benchmark = ["scikit-image>=0.23.2,<0.26.0", "pandas>=2.2.2,<2.4.0"]
 
 # Simulation
+# NOTE: Explicitly listing scipy helps flatten the dependecy tree.
 aloha = ["gym-aloha>=0.1.2,<0.2.0", "lerobot[scipy-dep]"]
 pusht = ["gym-pusht>=0.1.5,<0.2.0", "pymunk>=6.6.0,<7.0.0"] # TODO: Fix pymunk version in gym-pusht instead
 libero = ["lerobot[transformers-dep]", "hf-libero>=0.1.3,<0.2.0; sys_platform == 'linux'", "lerobot[scipy-dep]"]
@@ -176,8 +177,8 @@ metaworld = ["metaworld==3.0.0", "lerobot[scipy-dep]"]
 
 # All
 all = [
-    # Resolver hint: scipy is pulled in transitively via lerobot[scipy-dep] through
-    # multiple extras below (aloha, metaworld, pi, wallx, phone). Listing it explicitly
+    # NOTE(resolver hint): scipy is pulled in transitively via lerobot[scipy-dep] through
+    # multiple extras (aloha, metaworld, pi, wallx, phone). Listing it explicitly
     # helps pip's resolver converge by constraining scipy early, before it encounters
     # the loose scipy requirements from transitive deps like dm-control and metaworld.
     "scipy>=1.14.0,<2.0.0",

src/lerobot/datasets/dataset_tools.py

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ This module provides utilities for:
 
 import logging
 import shutil
+from collections import defaultdict
 from collections.abc import Callable
 from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor, as_completed
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -45,6 +46,8 @@ from lerobot.datasets.utils import (
     DEFAULT_DATA_FILE_SIZE_IN_MB,
     DEFAULT_DATA_PATH,
     DEFAULT_EPISODES_PATH,
+    DEFAULT_SUBTASKS_PATH,
+    flatten_dict,
     get_parquet_file_size_in_mb,
     load_episodes,
     update_chunk_file_indices,
@@ -141,6 +144,315 @@ def delete_episodes(
     return new_dataset
 
 
+def trim_episode_start(
+    dataset: LeRobotDataset,
+    seconds: float,
+    episode_indices: list[int] | None = None,
+    output_dir: str | Path | None = None,
+    repo_id: str | None = None,
+) -> LeRobotDataset:
+    """Trim the first N seconds from selected episodes and create a new dataset.
+
+    The operation rewrites data parquet files and updates episode metadata so that:
+    - frame_index starts at 0 for each trimmed episode
+    - timestamp starts at 0 for each trimmed episode
+    - global index remains contiguous across the full dataset
+    - dataset_from_index / dataset_to_index reflect new frame ranges
+
+    Video files are copied as-is and per-episode video timestamps are shifted forward
+    for trimmed episodes.
+
+    Episodes selected for trimming that are too short (length <= trim_frames) are skipped
+    from the output dataset.
+
+    Args:
+        dataset: The source LeRobotDataset.
+        seconds: Number of seconds to remove from episode starts.
+        episode_indices: Optional list of episode indices to trim. If None, trims all episodes.
+        output_dir: Directory to save the new dataset. If None, uses default location.
+        repo_id: Repository ID for the new dataset. If None, appends "_trimmed" to original.
+    """
+    if seconds <= 0:
+        raise ValueError(f"seconds must be strictly positive, got {seconds}")
+
+    if dataset.meta.episodes is None:
+        dataset.meta.episodes = load_episodes(dataset.meta.root)
+
+    trim_frames = int(seconds * dataset.meta.fps)
+    if trim_frames <= 0:
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"seconds={seconds} corresponds to 0 frames at fps={dataset.meta.fps}. "
+            "Increase seconds so at least one frame is trimmed."
+        )
+
+    if episode_indices is None:
+        episode_indices = list(range(dataset.meta.total_episodes))
+
+    if len(episode_indices) == 0:
+        raise ValueError("No episodes specified to trim")
+
+    episode_indices = sorted(set(episode_indices))
+    valid_indices = set(range(dataset.meta.total_episodes))
+    invalid = set(episode_indices) - valid_indices
+    if invalid:
+        raise ValueError(f"Invalid episode indices: {invalid}")
+
+    too_short = sorted(
+        ep_idx for ep_idx in episode_indices if int(dataset.meta.episodes[ep_idx]["length"]) <= trim_frames
+    )
+    trim_set = set(episode_indices)
+    skipped_set = set(too_short)
+    trim_set -= skipped_set
+
+    if too_short:
+        logging.warning(
+            f"Skipping {len(too_short)} episode(s) that are too short to trim "
+            f"({trim_frames} frames): {too_short}"
+        )
+
+    episodes_to_keep = [ep_idx for ep_idx in range(dataset.meta.total_episodes) if ep_idx not in skipped_set]
+    if not episodes_to_keep:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "All episodes selected for trimming are too short and would be skipped. "
+            "Try a smaller trim duration."
+        )
+
+    logging.info(
+        f"Trimming {len(trim_set)} episode(s) by {seconds}s and keeping {len(episodes_to_keep)} "
+        f"episode(s) in output"
+    )
+
+    if repo_id is None:
+        repo_id = f"{dataset.repo_id}_trimmed"
+    output_dir = Path(output_dir) if output_dir is not None else HF_LEROBOT_HOME / repo_id
+
+    new_meta = LeRobotDatasetMetadata.create(
+        repo_id=repo_id,
+        fps=dataset.meta.fps,
+        features=dataset.meta.features,
+        robot_type=dataset.meta.robot_type,
+        root=output_dir,
+        use_videos=len(dataset.meta.video_keys) > 0,
+        chunks_size=dataset.meta.chunks_size,
+        data_files_size_in_mb=dataset.meta.data_files_size_in_mb,
+        video_files_size_in_mb=dataset.meta.video_files_size_in_mb,
+    )
+
+    if dataset.meta.tasks is not None:
+        write_tasks(dataset.meta.tasks, new_meta.root)
+        new_meta.tasks = dataset.meta.tasks.copy()
+
+    subtasks_path = dataset.root / DEFAULT_SUBTASKS_PATH
+    if subtasks_path.exists():
+        dst_subtasks_path = new_meta.root / DEFAULT_SUBTASKS_PATH
+        dst_subtasks_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        shutil.copy(subtasks_path, dst_subtasks_path)
+
+    episode_mapping = {old_idx: new_idx for new_idx, old_idx in enumerate(episodes_to_keep)}
+    trim_duration_s = trim_frames / dataset.meta.fps
+
+    episode_lengths: dict[int, int] = {}
+    episode_ranges: dict[int, tuple[int, int]] = {}
+    total_frames = 0
+    for old_ep_idx in episodes_to_keep:
+        new_ep_idx = episode_mapping[old_ep_idx]
+        src_length = int(dataset.meta.episodes[old_ep_idx]["length"])
+        new_length = src_length - trim_frames if old_ep_idx in trim_set else src_length
+        episode_lengths[new_ep_idx] = new_length
+        episode_ranges[new_ep_idx] = (total_frames, total_frames + new_length)
+        total_frames += new_length
+
+    numeric_features = {
+        k: v
+        for k, v in dataset.meta.features.items()
+        if v["dtype"] not in ["image", "video", "string"]
+    }
+    episode_stats_parts: dict[int, list[dict[str, dict]]] = defaultdict(list)
+    episode_file_metadata: dict[int, dict[str, int]] = {}
+
+    data_dir = dataset.root / DATA_DIR
+    parquet_files = sorted(data_dir.glob("*/*.parquet"))
+    if not parquet_files:
+        raise ValueError(f"No parquet files found in {data_dir}")
+
+    for src_path in tqdm(parquet_files, desc="Trimming data files"):
+        df = pd.read_parquet(src_path).reset_index(drop=True)
+
+        if len(df) == 0:
+            continue
+
+        if skipped_set:
+            keep_mask = ~df["episode_index"].isin(skipped_set)
+            if not keep_mask.all():
+                df = df.loc[keep_mask].copy().reset_index(drop=True)
+
+        if len(df) == 0:
+            continue
+
+        if trim_set:
+            trim_mask = df["episode_index"].isin(trim_set) & (df["frame_index"] < trim_frames)
+            if trim_mask.any():
+                df = df.loc[~trim_mask].copy().reset_index(drop=True)
+
+        if len(df) == 0:
+            continue
+
+        relative_path = src_path.relative_to(dataset.root)
+        chunk_idx = int(relative_path.parts[1].split("-")[1])
+        file_idx = int(relative_path.parts[2].split("-")[1].split(".")[0])
+
+        for old_ep_idx in sorted(df["episode_index"].unique().tolist()):
+            ep_mask = df["episode_index"] == old_ep_idx
+            new_ep_idx = episode_mapping[old_ep_idx]
+
+            if old_ep_idx in trim_set:
+                df.loc[ep_mask, "frame_index"] = df.loc[ep_mask, "frame_index"] - trim_frames
+                shifted_timestamps = df.loc[ep_mask, "timestamp"].to_numpy(dtype=np.float64) - trim_duration_s
+                df.loc[ep_mask, "timestamp"] = np.clip(shifted_timestamps, a_min=0.0, a_max=None)
+
+            df.loc[ep_mask, "episode_index"] = new_ep_idx
+
+            ep_start, _ = episode_ranges[new_ep_idx]
+            new_indices = ep_start + df.loc[ep_mask, "frame_index"].to_numpy(dtype=np.int64)
+            df.loc[ep_mask, "index"] = new_indices
+
+            if new_ep_idx in episode_file_metadata:
+                existing = episode_file_metadata[new_ep_idx]
+                if (
+                    existing["data/chunk_index"] != chunk_idx
+                    or existing["data/file_index"] != file_idx
+                ):
+                    raise ValueError(
+                        f"Episode {old_ep_idx} spans multiple data files. "
+                        "trim_episode_start currently expects one data file per episode."
+                    )
+            else:
+                episode_file_metadata[new_ep_idx] = {
+                    "data/chunk_index": chunk_idx,
+                    "data/file_index": file_idx,
+                }
+
+            if numeric_features:
+                ep_df = df.loc[ep_mask]
+                episode_data: dict[str, np.ndarray] = {}
+                episode_feature_spec: dict[str, dict] = {}
+
+                for key, feature in numeric_features.items():
+                    if key not in ep_df.columns:
+                        continue
+
+                    values = ep_df[key].to_numpy()
+                    if len(values) == 0:
+                        continue
+
+                    first_value = values[0]
+                    if isinstance(first_value, np.ndarray):
+                        episode_data[key] = np.stack(values)
+                    elif isinstance(first_value, (list, tuple)):
+                        episode_data[key] = np.stack(values)
+                    else:
+                        episode_data[key] = np.asarray(values)
+
+                    episode_feature_spec[key] = feature
+
+                if episode_data:
+                    episode_stats_parts[new_ep_idx].append(
+                        compute_episode_stats(episode_data, episode_feature_spec)
+                    )
+
+        df["index"] = df["index"].astype(np.int64)
+        if "frame_index" in df.columns:
+            df["frame_index"] = df["frame_index"].astype(np.int64)
+
+        dst_path = new_meta.root / DEFAULT_DATA_PATH.format(chunk_index=chunk_idx, file_index=file_idx)
+        dst_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        _write_parquet(df, dst_path, new_meta)
+
+    all_episode_stats = []
+    for old_ep_idx in tqdm(episodes_to_keep, desc="Writing episode metadata"):
+        new_ep_idx = episode_mapping[old_ep_idx]
+
+        if new_ep_idx not in episode_file_metadata:
+            raise ValueError(f"Missing data file metadata for episode {old_ep_idx}")
+
+        from_idx, to_idx = episode_ranges[new_ep_idx]
+        src_episode = dataset.meta.episodes[old_ep_idx]
+        ep_data_meta = episode_file_metadata[new_ep_idx]
+
+        stats_parts = episode_stats_parts.get(new_ep_idx, [])
+        ep_stats = aggregate_stats(stats_parts) if len(stats_parts) > 1 else (stats_parts[0] if stats_parts else {})
+        if ep_stats:
+            all_episode_stats.append(ep_stats)
+
+        episode_meta = {
+            "data/chunk_index": ep_data_meta["data/chunk_index"],
+            "data/file_index": ep_data_meta["data/file_index"],
+            "dataset_from_index": from_idx,
+            "dataset_to_index": to_idx,
+        }
+
+        for video_key in dataset.meta.video_keys:
+            from_ts = src_episode[f"videos/{video_key}/from_timestamp"]
+            if old_ep_idx in trim_set:
+                from_ts += trim_duration_s
+            episode_meta.update(
+                {
+                    f"videos/{video_key}/chunk_index": src_episode[f"videos/{video_key}/chunk_index"],
+                    f"videos/{video_key}/file_index": src_episode[f"videos/{video_key}/file_index"],
+                    f"videos/{video_key}/from_timestamp": from_ts,
+                    f"videos/{video_key}/to_timestamp": src_episode[f"videos/{video_key}/to_timestamp"],
+                }
+            )
+
+        episode_dict = {
+            "episode_index": new_ep_idx,
+            "tasks": src_episode["tasks"],
+            "length": episode_lengths[new_ep_idx],
+        }
+        episode_dict.update(episode_meta)
+        if ep_stats:
+            episode_dict.update(flatten_dict({"stats": ep_stats}))
+
+        new_meta._save_episode_metadata(episode_dict)
+
+    new_meta._close_writer()
+
+    if new_meta.video_keys:
+        _copy_videos(dataset, new_meta)
+
+    new_meta.info.update(
+        {
+            "total_episodes": len(episodes_to_keep),
+            "total_frames": total_frames,
+            "total_tasks": len(new_meta.tasks) if new_meta.tasks is not None else 0,
+            "splits": {"train": f"0:{len(episodes_to_keep)}"},
+        }
+    )
+
+    if new_meta.video_keys and dataset.meta.video_keys:
+        for key in new_meta.video_keys:
+            if key in dataset.meta.features:
+                new_meta.info["features"][key]["info"] = dataset.meta.info["features"][key].get("info", {})
+
+    write_info(new_meta.info, new_meta.root)
+
+    merged_stats = aggregate_stats(all_episode_stats) if all_episode_stats else {}
+    if dataset.meta.stats:
+        for key, value in dataset.meta.stats.items():
+            if key not in merged_stats:
+                merged_stats[key] = value
+    if merged_stats:
+        write_stats(merged_stats, new_meta.root)
+
+    return LeRobotDataset(
+        repo_id=repo_id,
+        root=output_dir,
+        image_transforms=dataset.image_transforms,
+        delta_timestamps=dataset.delta_timestamps,
+        tolerance_s=dataset.tolerance_s,
+    )
+
+
 def split_dataset(
     dataset: LeRobotDataset,
     splits: dict[str, float | list[int]],

src/lerobot/scripts/lerobot_edit_dataset.py

@@ -117,6 +117,13 @@ Modify tasks - set default task with overrides for specific episodes (WARNING: m
         --operation.new_task "Default task" \
         --operation.episode_tasks '{"5": "Special task for episode 5"}'
 
+Trim first 3 seconds from all episodes:
+    python -m lerobot.scripts.lerobot_edit_dataset \
+        --repo_id lerobot/pusht \
+        --new_repo_id lerobot/pusht_trim3s \
+        --operation.type trim_episode_start \
+        --operation.seconds 3.0
+
 Convert image dataset to video format and save locally:
     lerobot-edit-dataset \
         --repo_id lerobot/pusht_image \
@@ -170,6 +177,7 @@ from lerobot.datasets.dataset_tools import (
     modify_tasks,
     remove_feature,
     split_dataset,
+    trim_episode_start,
 )
 from lerobot.datasets.lerobot_dataset import LeRobotDataset
 from lerobot.utils.constants import HF_LEROBOT_HOME
@@ -215,6 +223,13 @@ class ModifyTasksConfig(OperationConfig):
     episode_tasks: dict[str, str] | None = None
 
 
+@OperationConfig.register_subclass("trim_episode_start")
+@dataclass
+class TrimEpisodeStartConfig(OperationConfig):
+    seconds: float | None = None
+    episode_indices: list[int] | None = None
+
+
 @OperationConfig.register_subclass("convert_image_to_video")
 @dataclass
 class ConvertImageToVideoConfig(OperationConfig):
@@ -464,6 +479,41 @@ def handle_modify_tasks(cfg: EditDatasetConfig) -> None:
         modified_dataset.push_to_hub()
 
 
+def handle_trim_episode_start(cfg: EditDatasetConfig) -> None:
+    if not isinstance(cfg.operation, TrimEpisodeStartConfig):
+        raise ValueError("Operation config must be TrimEpisodeStartConfig")
+
+    if cfg.operation.seconds is None:
+        raise ValueError("seconds must be specified for trim_episode_start operation")
+
+    dataset = LeRobotDataset(cfg.repo_id, root=cfg.root)
+    output_repo_id, output_dir = get_output_path(
+        cfg.repo_id, cfg.new_repo_id, Path(cfg.root) if cfg.root else None
+    )
+
+    if cfg.new_repo_id is None:
+        dataset.root = Path(str(dataset.root) + "_old")
+
+    logging.info(
+        f"Trimming first {cfg.operation.seconds}s from episodes "
+        f"{cfg.operation.episode_indices if cfg.operation.episode_indices else 'ALL'} in {cfg.repo_id}"
+    )
+    new_dataset = trim_episode_start(
+        dataset=dataset,
+        seconds=cfg.operation.seconds,
+        episode_indices=cfg.operation.episode_indices,
+        output_dir=output_dir,
+        repo_id=output_repo_id,
+    )
+
+    logging.info(f"Dataset saved to {output_dir}")
+    logging.info(f"Episodes: {new_dataset.meta.total_episodes}, Frames: {new_dataset.meta.total_frames}")
+
+    if cfg.push_to_hub:
+        logging.info(f"Pushing to hub as {output_repo_id}")
+        LeRobotDataset(output_repo_id, root=output_dir).push_to_hub()
+
+
 def handle_convert_image_to_video(cfg: EditDatasetConfig) -> None:
     # Note: Parser may create any config type with the right fields, so we access fields directly
     # instead of checking isinstance()
@@ -594,6 +644,8 @@ def edit_dataset(cfg: EditDatasetConfig) -> None:
         handle_remove_feature(cfg)
     elif operation_type == "modify_tasks":
         handle_modify_tasks(cfg)
+    elif operation_type == "trim_episode_start":
+        handle_trim_episode_start(cfg)
     elif operation_type == "convert_image_to_video":
         handle_convert_image_to_video(cfg)
     elif operation_type == "info":

tests/datasets/test_dataset_tools.py

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ from lerobot.datasets.dataset_tools import (
     modify_tasks,
     remove_feature,
     split_dataset,
+    trim_episode_start,
 )
 from lerobot.scripts.lerobot_edit_dataset import convert_image_to_video_dataset
 
@@ -142,6 +143,104 @@ def test_delete_empty_list(sample_dataset, tmp_path):
         )
 
 
+def test_trim_episode_start_updates_indices(sample_dataset, tmp_path):
+    """Test trimming episode starts updates frame/timestamp/index metadata consistently."""
+    output_dir = tmp_path / "trimmed"
+    trim_seconds = 0.1  # 3 frames at 30 FPS
+    trim_frames = int(trim_seconds * sample_dataset.meta.fps)
+
+    with (
+        patch("lerobot.datasets.lerobot_dataset.get_safe_version") as mock_get_safe_version,
+        patch("lerobot.datasets.lerobot_dataset.snapshot_download") as mock_snapshot_download,
+    ):
+        mock_get_safe_version.return_value = "v3.0"
+        mock_snapshot_download.return_value = str(output_dir)
+
+        new_dataset = trim_episode_start(
+            sample_dataset,
+            seconds=trim_seconds,
+            output_dir=output_dir,
+        )
+
+    expected_length = 10 - trim_frames
+    assert new_dataset.meta.total_episodes == sample_dataset.meta.total_episodes
+    assert new_dataset.meta.total_frames == sample_dataset.meta.total_episodes * expected_length
+
+    indices = [int(i.item()) for i in new_dataset.hf_dataset["index"]]
+    assert indices == list(range(new_dataset.meta.total_frames))
+
+    episode_indices = [int(i.item()) for i in new_dataset.hf_dataset["episode_index"]]
+    frame_indices = [int(i.item()) for i in new_dataset.hf_dataset["frame_index"]]
+    timestamps = [float(i.item()) for i in new_dataset.hf_dataset["timestamp"]]
+
+    for ep_idx in range(sample_dataset.meta.total_episodes):
+        ep_frame_indices = [f for e, f in zip(episode_indices, frame_indices, strict=False) if e == ep_idx]
+        ep_timestamps = [t for e, t in zip(episode_indices, timestamps, strict=False) if e == ep_idx]
+
+        assert len(ep_frame_indices) == expected_length
+        assert ep_frame_indices == list(range(expected_length))
+        assert ep_timestamps[0] == pytest.approx(0.0)
+        assert ep_timestamps[-1] == pytest.approx((expected_length - 1) / sample_dataset.meta.fps)
+
+        ep_meta = new_dataset.meta.episodes[ep_idx]
+        assert int(ep_meta["length"]) == expected_length
+        assert int(ep_meta["dataset_from_index"]) == ep_idx * expected_length
+        assert int(ep_meta["dataset_to_index"]) == (ep_idx + 1) * expected_length
+
+
+def test_trim_episode_start_skips_too_short_episodes(tmp_path, empty_lerobot_dataset_factory):
+    """Test too-short episodes are skipped and remaining episodes are reindexed."""
+    features = {
+        "action": {"dtype": "float32", "shape": (2,), "names": None},
+        "observation.state": {"dtype": "float32", "shape": (2,), "names": None},
+        "observation.images.top": {"dtype": "image", "shape": (32, 32, 3), "names": None},
+    }
+    dataset = empty_lerobot_dataset_factory(root=tmp_path / "source", features=features)
+
+    for ep_len in [10, 2, 10]:
+        for _ in range(ep_len):
+            dataset.add_frame(
+                {
+                    "action": np.random.randn(2).astype(np.float32),
+                    "observation.state": np.random.randn(2).astype(np.float32),
+                    "observation.images.top": np.random.randint(0, 255, size=(32, 32, 3), dtype=np.uint8),
+                    "task": "task",
+                }
+            )
+        dataset.save_episode()
+    dataset.finalize()
+
+    trim_seconds = 0.1  # 3 frames at 30 FPS
+    with (
+        patch("lerobot.datasets.lerobot_dataset.get_safe_version") as mock_get_safe_version,
+        patch("lerobot.datasets.lerobot_dataset.snapshot_download") as mock_snapshot_download,
+    ):
+        mock_get_safe_version.return_value = "v3.0"
+        mock_snapshot_download.return_value = str(tmp_path / "trimmed")
+
+        new_dataset = trim_episode_start(
+            dataset,
+            seconds=trim_seconds,
+            output_dir=tmp_path / "trimmed",
+        )
+
+    # Episode 1 is too short and gets skipped. Remaining episodes are trimmed and reindexed.
+    assert new_dataset.meta.total_episodes == 2
+    assert new_dataset.meta.total_frames == 14
+    assert sorted({int(idx.item()) for idx in new_dataset.hf_dataset["episode_index"]}) == [0, 1]
+    assert [int(ep["length"]) for ep in new_dataset.meta.episodes] == [7, 7]
+
+
+def test_trim_episode_start_rejects_when_all_selected_are_too_short(sample_dataset, tmp_path):
+    """Test trimming fails when all selected episodes are too short and would be skipped."""
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="All episodes selected for trimming are too short"):
+        trim_episode_start(
+            sample_dataset,
+            seconds=1.0,  # 30 frames > 10-frame episodes
+            output_dir=tmp_path / "trimmed",
+        )
+
+
 def test_split_by_episodes(sample_dataset, tmp_path):
     """Test splitting dataset by specific episode indices."""
     splits = {

tests/scripts/test_edit_dataset_parsing.py

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from lerobot.scripts.lerobot_edit_dataset import (
     RemoveFeatureConfig,
     SplitConfig,
     _validate_config,
+    TrimEpisodeStartConfig,
 )
 
 
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ class TestOperationTypeParsing:
             ("merge", MergeConfig),
             ("remove_feature", RemoveFeatureConfig),
             ("modify_tasks", ModifyTasksConfig),
+            ("trim_episode_start", TrimEpisodeStartConfig),
             ("convert_image_to_video", ConvertImageToVideoConfig),
             ("info", InfoConfig),
         ],
@@ -77,6 +79,7 @@ class TestOperationTypeParsing:
             ("merge", MergeConfig),
             ("remove_feature", RemoveFeatureConfig),
             ("modify_tasks", ModifyTasksConfig),
+            ("trim_episode_start", TrimEpisodeStartConfig),
             ("convert_image_to_video", ConvertImageToVideoConfig),
             ("info", InfoConfig),
         ],