video-generation
bytedance/deer-flow
Generate high-quality videos from structured prompts with optional reference images.
What is video-generation?
This skill creates videos using JSON-formatted prompts and a Python generation script. Use it when users request video generation, creation, or imaginative video content. Supports reference images to guide the output and customizable aspect ratios.
- Create structured JSON prompts for video generation
- Use reference images as guidance or as first/last frames
- Generate videos via automated Python script execution
- Support multiple aspect ratios (default 16:9)
- Integrate with image-generation skill for reference creation
- Work with Gemini Veo or MiniMax video providers
How to install video-generation
npx skills add https://github.com/bytedance/deer-flow --skill video-generation- Python script at /mnt/skills/public/video-generation/scripts/generate.py
- API credentials (GEMINI_API_KEY or MINIMAX_API_KEY) in environment
- Output directory /mnt/user-data/outputs/ accessible
How to use video-generation
- 1.Identify user requirements: subject, style, technical specs, and any reference image
- 2.Create a JSON prompt file in /mnt/user-data/workspace/ with descriptive naming (e.g., scene-name.json)
- 3.Optionally generate a reference image using the image-generation skill
- 4.Execute the Python script with --prompt-file, --reference-images (optional), --output-file, and --aspect-ratio parameters
- 5.Share generated video and reference image with user via present_files tool
- 6.Offer iterative refinement if adjustments are needed
Use cases
- Generate opening scenes from movies or books with specific visual direction
- Create cinematic sequences with character dialogue and audio descriptions
- Produce guided videos using reference images for consistent style
- Generate videos with detailed camera movements and lighting specifications
- Create narrative video clips with structured scene descriptions
- Content creators and filmmakers
- Video production professionals
- Creative directors planning visual sequences
- Users needing AI-assisted video ideation
- Teams producing marketing or narrative content
video-generation FAQ
No, reference images are optional. They enhance generation quality and can guide the video style, but the skill works without them.
Any aspect ratio can be specified via --aspect-ratio parameter (default is 16:9). MiniMax ignores this parameter and uses resolution/duration instead.
The provider is auto-selected: Gemini Veo if GEMINI_API_KEY is set, or MiniMax if only MINIMAX_API_KEY is set. You can force a provider with VIDEO_GENERATION_PROVIDER environment variable.
Videos are saved to the path specified in --output-file, typically /mnt/user-data/outputs/.
No, do not read the Python file. Simply call it with the required parameters: --prompt-file, --output-file, and optional --reference-images and --aspect-ratio.
Full instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from bytedance/deer-flow.
name: video-generation description: Use this skill when the user requests to generate, create, or imagine videos. Supports structured prompts and reference image for guided generation.
Video Generation Skill
Overview
This skill generates high-quality videos using structured prompts and a Python script. The workflow includes creating JSON-formatted prompts and executing video generation with optional reference image.
Core Capabilities
- Create structured JSON prompts for AIGC video generation
- Support reference image as guidance or the first/last frame of the video
- Generate videos through automated Python script execution
Workflow
Step 1: Understand Requirements
When a user requests video generation, identify:
- Subject/content: What should be in the image
- Style preferences: Art style, mood, color palette
- Technical specs: Aspect ratio, composition, lighting
- Reference image: Any image to guide generation
- You don't need to check the folder under
/mnt/user-data
Step 2: Create Structured Prompt
Generate a structured JSON file in /mnt/user-data/workspace/ with naming pattern: {descriptive-name}.json
Step 3: Create Reference Image (Optional when image-generation skill is available)
Generate reference image for the video generation.
- If only 1 image is provided, use it as the guided frame of the video
Step 3: Execute Generation
Call the Python script:
python /mnt/skills/public/video-generation/scripts/generate.py \
--prompt-file /mnt/user-data/workspace/prompt-file.json \
--reference-images /path/to/ref1.jpg \
--output-file /mnt/user-data/outputs/generated-video.mp4 \
--aspect-ratio 16:9
Parameters:
--prompt-file: Absolute path to JSON prompt file (required)--reference-images: Absolute paths to reference image (optional)--output-file: Absolute path to output image file (required)--aspect-ratio: Aspect ratio of the generated image (optional, default: 16:9)
[!NOTE] Do NOT read the python file, instead just call it with the parameters.
Video Generation Example
User request: "Generate a short video clip depicting the opening scene from "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"
Step 1: Search for the opening scene of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" online
Step 2: Create a JSON prompt file with the following content:
{
"title": "The Chronicles of Narnia - Train Station Farewell",
"background": {
"description": "World War II evacuation scene at a crowded London train station. Steam and smoke fill the air as children are being sent to the countryside to escape the Blitz.",
"era": "1940s wartime Britain",
"location": "London railway station platform"
},
"characters": ["Mrs. Pevensie", "Lucy Pevensie"],
"camera": {
"type": "Close-up two-shot",
"movement": "Static with subtle handheld movement",
"angle": "Profile view, intimate framing",
"focus": "Both faces in focus, background soft bokeh"
},
"dialogue": [
{
"character": "Mrs. Pevensie",
"text": "You must be brave for me, darling. I'll come for you... I promise."
},
{
"character": "Lucy Pevensie",
"text": "I will be, mother. I promise."
}
],
"audio": [
{
"type": "Train whistle blows (signaling departure)",
"volume": 1
},
{
"type": "Strings swell emotionally, then fade",
"volume": 0.5
},
{
"type": "Ambient sound of the train station",
"volume": 0.5
}
]
}
Step 3: Use the image-generation skill to generate the reference image
Load the image-generation skill and generate a single reference image narnia-farewell-scene-01.jpg according to the skill.
Step 4: Use the generate.py script to generate the video
python /mnt/skills/public/video-generation/scripts/generate.py \
--prompt-file /mnt/user-data/workspace/narnia-farewell-scene.json \
--reference-images /mnt/user-data/outputs/narnia-farewell-scene-01.jpg \
--output-file /mnt/user-data/outputs/narnia-farewell-scene-01.mp4 \
--aspect-ratio 16:9
Do NOT read the python file, just call it with the parameters.
Output Handling
After generation:
- Videos are typically saved in
/mnt/user-data/outputs/ - Share generated videos (come first) with user as well as generated image if applicable, using
present_filestool - Provide brief description of the generation result
- Offer to iterate if adjustments needed
Notes
- Always use English for prompts regardless of user's language
- JSON format ensures structured, parsable prompts
- Reference image enhance generation quality significantly
- Iterative refinement is normal for optimal results
Providers (Gemini / MiniMax)
Provider credentials are read from the runtime environment, not embedded in the script. Do not put their values in prompt files or command-line arguments.
Auto-selected by environment variables (CLI unchanged):
GEMINI_API_KEYset → Gemini Veo (default, unchanged).- Only
MINIMAX_API_KEYset → MiniMax video (/v1/video_generation, async 3-step poll/download). - Force with
VIDEO_GENERATION_PROVIDER=gemini|minimax.
MiniMax overrides: MINIMAX_API_HOST (default https://api.minimaxi.com),
MINIMAX_VIDEO_MODEL (default MiniMax-Hailuo-2.3). The first reference image is used
as MiniMax first_frame_image. MiniMax ignores --aspect-ratio (it uses resolution/duration).
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