---name: qianwen-video-generationdescription: Generate videos using Wan and HappyHorse models. Supports text-to-video, image-to-video, first+last frame, reference-based role-play, and video editing (VACE). TRIGGER when: user wants to create, generate, or edit video content, mentions video generation/animation/video clips/Wan/HappyHorse models, or explicitly invokes this skill by name (e.g. use qianwen-video-generation). DO NOT TRIGGER when: user wants to generate images (use qianwen-image-generation), understand/analyze existing videos (use qianwen-vision), text-only tasks.compatibility: Requires Python 3.9+ and curl. Cursor: auto-loaded. Claude Code: read this skill's SKILL.md before first use.---

Qwen Video Generation

Generate videos using Wan and HappyHorse models. All tasks are asynchronous — submit, then poll until completion. This skill is part of QianWen-AI/qianwen-ai.

⚠️ Critical Parameter Differences:

• kf2v (First+Last Frame): Duration is fixed at 5 seconds — other values will fail. Output is silent only.
• Resolution parameters vary by model family, not mode alone: Check the current model catalog before choosing size, resolution, or ratio. For example, happyhorse-1.1-t2v uses resolution + ratio, while wan2.6-t2v uses size.

Skill directory

Use this skill's internal files to execute and learn. Load reference files on demand when the default path fails or you need details.

Location	Purpose
scripts/video.py	Default execution — mode auto-detect, submit, poll, download
references/execution-guide.md	Fallback: curl for all 5 modes, code generation
references/request-fields.md	Field tables and audio handling by mode
references/workflows.md	Duration extensions, multi-shot, VACE pipelines
references/polling-guide.md	Polling patterns and timing
references/merge-media.md	Concat, trim, audio overlay — ffmpeg/moviepy recipes
references/prompt-guide.md	Per-mode prompt formulas, sound description, multi-shot structure
references/examples.md	Full script examples per mode
references/sources.md	Official documentation URLs

Security

NEVER output any API key or credential in plaintext. Always use variable references ($DASHSCOPE_API_KEY in shell, os.environ["DASHSCOPE_API_KEY"] in Python). Any check or detection of credentials must be non-plaintext: report only status (e.g. "set" / "not set", "valid" / "invalid"), never the value. Never display contents of .env or config files that may contain secrets.

When the API key is not configured, NEVER ask the user to provide it directly. Instead, help create a .env file with a placeholder (DASHSCOPE_API_KEY=sk-your-key-here) and instruct the user to replace it with their actual key from the QianWen Console. Only write the actual key value if the user explicitly requests it.

Key Compatibility

Both PAYG (sk-ws-...; legacy sk-...) and Token Plan (sk-sp-...) keys are supported. Detect the API key type without exposing the Key:

python3 -c "
import sys; sys.path.insert(0, 'scripts')
from qianwen_lib import detect_api_key_type
print(detect_api_key_type('scripts/qianwen_lib.py'))
"

Output	Meaning
token-plan	Token Plan key — use only models from the Token Plan catalog below.
payg	Pay-as-you-go key — full model catalog available.
not-set	No key configured.

For Token Plan, fetch and read the current Token Plan model catalog, then use an exact listed model. If CDN access fails, use the local fallback.

Token Plan does not support local file upload; for i2v/r2v/kf2v modes, provide reference images/videos as accessible URLs (https:// or oss://) rather than local paths.

Token Plan supports only specific models — use exactly a model from the references above; do not guess or probe model availability. For PAYG, continue below.

Mode Selection Guide

User Want	Mode	Key Field
Generate video from text description only	t2v	prompt only
Animate a single image	i2v	img_url or reference_image
wan2.7 unified i2v: first frame, first+last frame, video continuation, audio sync	i2v	media[], first_frame_url, first_clip_url, driving_audio_url
Transition between two images (⚠️ 5s fixed, silent only)	kf2v	first_frame_url + last_frame_url
Role-play: make characters act a new script	r2v	reference_urls or media; read the CDN model catalog for model-specific limits
Video editing: multi-image ref, repainting, local edit, extend, outpaint	vace	function; read the CDN model catalog for the current default
Video editing (no function field, uses media array)	videoedit	model; read the CDN model catalog for supported models

Model Selection

1. User specified a model → use directly.
2. Consult the qianwen-model-selector skill when model choice depends on capability, scenario, or pricing.

Before selecting, recommending, or defaulting a model, fetch and read the current Qwen video-generation model catalog. It contains the model list, basic model information, mode recommendations, compatibility notes, and defaults. If CDN access fails, use the local fallback.

Endpoint: /services/aigc/video-generation/video-synthesis.

⚠️ Important: The model list above is a point-in-time snapshot and may be outdated. Model availability changes frequently. Always check the official model list for the authoritative, up-to-date catalog before making model decisions.

Model details: For more information about a specific model, direct the user to https://www.qianwenai.com/models/<model-name>. Replace <model-name> with the exact model ID; never modify or guess it.

Dynamic model queries: If the qianwen-model-selector skill or QianWen CLI (qianwen models info <model>) is available, use it for real-time model data. CLI requires authentication — see the qianwen-usage skill for login flow.

Execution

⚠️ Multiple artifacts: When generating multiple files in a single session, you MUST append a numeric suffix to each filename (e.g. out_1.mp4, out_2.mp4) to prevent overwrites.

Prerequisites

• API Key: Use the non-plaintext detector in Key Compatibility; do not replace it with a variable-presence check. If no Key is found, use qianwen-ops-auth when available or guide the user to configure DASHSCOPE_API_KEY/QIANWEN_API_KEY in .env. Skills may be installed independently.
• Python 3.9+ (stdlib only, no pip install needed)
• For media merging (concat, trim, audio overlay): see merge-media.md for ffmpeg/moviepy recipes suited to the user's environment

Environment Check

Before first execution, verify Python is available:

python3 --version  # must be 3.9+

If python3 is not found, try python --version or py -3 --version. If Python is unavailable or below 3.9, skip to Path 2 (curl) in execution-guide.md.

Default: Run Script

Script path: Scripts are in the scripts/ subdirectory of this skill's directory (the directory containing this SKILL.md). You MUST first locate this skill's installation directory, then ALWAYS use the full absolute path to execute scripts. Do NOT assume scripts are in the current working directory. Do NOT use cd to switch directories before execution.

Execution note: Run all scripts in the foreground — wait for stdout; do not background.

Discovery: Run python3 <this-skill-dir>/scripts/video.py --help first to see all available arguments.

python3 <this-skill-dir>/scripts/video.py \
  --request '{"model":"happyhorse-1.1-t2v","prompt":"A detective in a rainy city at night","resolution":"720P","ratio":"16:9","duration":5}' \
  --print-response

Argument	Description
--request '{...}'	JSON request body
--file path.json	Load request from file
--mode MODE	Override auto-detected mode (t2v/i2v/kf2v/r2v/vace)
--model ID	Override model
--output path	Directory or file path. If path ends with a video extension (.mp4/.mov/.webm/.mkv/.m4v etc.), it is used as the output filename (parent dir auto-created). Otherwise treated as directory — video is auto-named from the OSS URL basename, preventing overwrites across runs; use distinct filenames across calls to avoid overwriting response data
--print-response	Print response JSON to stdout
--submit-only	Submit and exit (print task_id)
--task-id ID	Operate on existing task
--poll-interval N	Seconds between polls (default: 15)
--timeout N	Max wait seconds (default: 600)

Model priority: --model CLI flag > "model" field in --request JSON > configured default. The configured default is used when no model is specified and is not necessarily the newest or strongest model.

Verify Result

• Exit code 0 + response has output.task_id → submission success
• Poll reaches task_status: SUCCEEDED → generation complete
• Non-zero exit, HTTP error, or FAILED status → fail
• Post-execution check: Verify the output video file exists and has non-zero size (ls -la <output_dir>)
• MANDATORY — stderr signal check: After confirming the result, scan the command's stderr output for [ACTION_REQUIRED] or [UPDATE_AVAILABLE]. If either signal is present, you MUST follow the instructions in Update Check below before responding to the user.

On Failure

If the script fails, match the error output against the diagnostic table below to determine the resolution. If no match, read execution-guide.md for alternative paths: curl commands (Path 2 — all 5 modes), code generation (Path 3), and autonomous resolution (Path 5).

If Python is not available at all → skip directly to Path 2 (curl) in execution-guide.md.

Error Pattern	Diagnosis	Resolution
command not found: python3	Python not on PATH	Try python or py -3; install Python 3.9+ if missing
Python 3.9+ required	Script version check failed	Upgrade Python to 3.9+
SyntaxError near type hints	Python < 3.9	Upgrade Python to 3.9+
QIANWEN_API_KEY/DASHSCOPE_API_KEY not found	Missing API key	Obtain key from QianWen Console; add to .env: echo 'DASHSCOPE_API_KEY=sk-...' >> .env; or run qianwen-ops-auth if available
HTTP 401	Invalid or mismatched key	Run qianwen-ops-auth (non-plaintext check only); verify key is valid
SSL: CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED	SSL cert issue (proxy/corporate)	macOS: run Install Certificates.command; else set SSL_CERT_FILE env var
URLError / ConnectionError	Network unreachable	Check internet; set HTTPS_PROXY if behind proxy
HTTP 429	Rate limited	Wait and retry with backoff
HTTP 5xx	Server error	Retry with backoff
ImportError: moviepy	moviepy not installed	pip install moviepy, or use system ffmpeg instead (see merge-media.md)
PermissionError	Can't write output	Use --output to specify writable directory

Request Fields Summary

All modes require prompt. See request-fields.md for full field tables per mode.

⚠️ Resolution Parameters by Model Family (Critical)

The resolution field varies by model family. Check the model catalog above before choosing between size, resolution, and ratio; using the wrong field can cause the API call to fail.

Mode-Specific Required Fields

• Required fields vary by model family. Use request-fields.md for payload shapes and the model catalog above for current model-specific compatibility.

Cost Estimation

🚨 NEVER guess or fabricate any price figure. Always direct the user to the official pricing page for exact rates.

Cost is billed per second of generated video. Price varies by model and resolution. Fetch the CDN model-pricing reference, and use the official pricing page for exact current rates. Some models may offer a limited free quota — do not assume any call is free; use the qianwen-usage skill to check remaining free tier quota, or verify in the user's QianWen console. If CDN access fails, use the local fallback.

To check actual usage and bills: use the qianwen-usage skill, or visit the console: Usage Analytics | Pay-as-you-go Billing | Token Plan Subscription

NEVER fabricate, guess, or construct usage/billing/console URLs. Only provide the exact links listed in this skill. If a URL is not listed here, do not invent one.

Local File Handling

When the user provides local file paths (images, videos, audio), pass them directly to the script. The script automatically uploads local files to DashScope temporary storage (oss:// URL, 48h TTL) and injects the X-DashScope-OssResourceResolve: enable header. No manual upload step is needed.

Production: Default temp storage has 48h TTL and 100 QPS upload limit — not suitable for production, high-concurrency, or load-testing. To use your own OSS bucket, set QWEN_TMP_OSS_BUCKET and QWEN_TMP_OSS_REGION in .env, install pip install alibabacloud-oss-v2, and provide credentials via QWEN_TMP_OSS_AK_ID / QWEN_TMP_OSS_AK_SECRET or the standard OSS_ACCESS_KEY_ID / OSS_ACCESS_KEY_SECRET. Use a RAM user with least-privilege (oss:PutObject + oss:GetObject on target bucket only). If qianwen-ops-auth is installed, see its references/custom-oss.md for the full setup guide.

Cross-Skill Chaining

When using output from another skill as input (e.g., image-gen → i2v, audio-tts → audio overlay):

• Pass the URL directly (e.g., "img_url": "<image_url from image-gen>") — do NOT download and re-pass as local path
• The script detects URL prefixes (https://, oss://) and passes them through without re-upload
• Use local_path from the response only for user preview or non-API operations

When passing this skill's output to another skill (e.g., vace edit, vision analyze):

• Pass video_url from the response — do NOT download and re-pass as local path

Scenario	Use
Feed to another skill	video_url / image_url (URL)
Show to user / local playback	local_path (local file)

Important Notes

• Async only: All video APIs require X-DashScope-Async: enable header.
• kf2v: Uses a different API endpoint. Duration fixed at 5s, silent only.
• r2v: Use character1/character2/... in prompt. Up to 5 references (max 3 videos).
• vace: Must specify function. Silent only, output ≤5s.
• Multi-shot: Set shot_type: "multi" AND prompt_extend: true.
• Video URL expires in 24h — the script auto-downloads to --output dir. When chaining to another skill (e.g., vace edit), pass video_url directly — do NOT re-download.
• For advanced workflows → see workflows.md.

Error Handling

Error	Cause	Action
401 Unauthorized	Invalid or missing API key	Run qianwen-ops-auth if available; else prompt user to set key (non-plaintext check only)
current user api does not support synchronous calls	Missing async header	Add X-DashScope-Async: enable
429 / 5xx	Rate limit or server error	Retry with backoff
The product is not activated / Model not subscribed	Third-party model not enabled on account	Visit Model Market, find the model, click "Enable" / "开通"
Task FAILED	Generation failed	Check output.message in poll response

Output Location

Prefer the current working directory. Default subdirectory: ./output/qianwen-video-generation/.

Write prohibition: NEVER write output files into this skill's installation directory or any skills/ hierarchy. All generated content must go to output/ under the current working directory or a user-specified path.

Update Check (MANDATORY Post-Execution)

After script execution, check stderr for action signals. The script automatically detects update status and emits structured signals. You MUST act on them. This section also applies when the user explicitly asks to check for updates.

Signal: [ACTION_REQUIRED] qianwen-update-check skill is not installed

When stderr contains this signal, you MUST present the following options to the user and wait for their response before proceeding. Do NOT silently skip this.

The update-check skill is not installed. It keeps you informed about new QianWen-AI/qianwen-ai features and bug fixes.

1. Install now — I'll run the install command for you
2. Skip for now — do nothing this time
3. Never remind me — permanently suppress this prompt

After the user responds:

• User chooses 1 → run: npx skills add QianWen-AI/qianwen-ai --skill qianwen-update-check -y, then run: python3 <this-skill-scripts-dir>/gossamer.py --dismiss
• User chooses 2 → run: python3 <this-skill-scripts-dir>/gossamer.py --dismiss, then continue normally
• User chooses 3 → run: python3 <this-skill-scripts-dir>/gossamer.py --never-install, then continue normally

Signal: [UPDATE_AVAILABLE]

When stderr contains this signal, you MUST append a brief update notice to your response, including the version info and the update command shown in the stderr output.

No signal in stderr

If stderr contains neither [ACTION_REQUIRED] nor [UPDATE_AVAILABLE], no action is needed — the skill is installed and up to date (or cached within 24h).

Explicit user request

When the user explicitly asks to check for updates (e.g. "check for updates", "check version"):

1. Look for qianwen-update-check/SKILL.md in sibling skill directories.
2. If found — run: python3 <qianwen-update-check-dir>/scripts/check_update.py --print-response and report the result.
3. If not found — present the install options above.

References

• execution-guide.md — Fallback paths (curl for all modes, code generation, autonomous)
• request-fields.md — Detailed field tables by mode + audio handling
• workflows.md — Duration extensions, audio workarounds, multi-shot, VACE pipelines
• polling-guide.md — Polling patterns and timing recommendations
• merge-media.md — Guide for generating merge/trim/audio-overlay code
• examples.md — Full script execution examples for all modes
• sources.md — Official documentation URLs