avatar-video
Create AI avatar videos with precise control over avatars, voices, scripts, scenes, and backgrounds using HeyGen's v2 API. Use when: (1) Choosing a specific avatar and voice for a video, (2) Writing exact scripts for an avatar to speak, (3) Building multi-scene videos with different backgrounds per scene, (4) Creating transparent WebM videos for compositing, (5) Using talking photos as video presenters, (6) Integrating HeyGen avatars with Remotion, (7) Batch video generation with exact specs, (8) Brand-consistent production videos with precise control.
- Installs
- 1.1K
- Last 24h
- +12
- Trending rank
- #7855
- Security
- Not audited
Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/calesthio/openmontage --skill avatar-video- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads avatar-video automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Avatar Video
Create AI avatar videos with full control over avatars, voices, scripts, scenes, and backgrounds. Build single or multi-scene videos with exact configuration using HeyGen's /v2/video/generate API.
Authentication
All requests require the X-Api-Key header. Set the HEYGEN_API_KEY environment variable.
curl -X GET "https://api.heygen.com/v2/avatars" \
-H "X-Api-Key: $HEYGEN_API_KEY"
Tool Selection
If HeyGen MCP tools are available (mcp__heygen__*), prefer them over direct HTTP API calls — they handle authentication and request formatting automatically.
| Task | MCP Tool | Fallback (Direct API) |
|---|---|---|
| Check video status / get URL | mcp__heygen__get_video | GET /v2/videos/{video_id} |
| List account videos | mcp__heygen__list_videos | GET /v2/videos |
| Delete a video | mcp__heygen__delete_video | DELETE /v2/videos/{video_id} |
Video generation (POST /v2/video/generate) and avatar/voice listing are done via direct API calls — see reference files below.
Default Workflow
- List avatars —
GET /v2/avatars→ pick an avatar, preview it, noteavatar_idanddefault_voice_id. See avatars.md - List voices (if needed) —
GET /v2/voices→ pick a voice matching the avatar's gender/language. See voices.md - Write the script — Structure scenes with one concept each. See scripts.md
- Generate the video —
POST /v2/video/generatewith avatar, voice, script, and background per scene. See video-generation.md - Poll for completion —
GET /v2/videos/{video_id}until status iscompleted. See video-status.md
Quick Reference
| Task | Read |
|---|---|
| List and preview avatars | avatars.md |
| List and select voices | voices.md |
| Write and structure scripts | scripts.md |
| Generate video (single or multi-scene) | video-generation.md |
| Add custom backgrounds | backgrounds.md |
| Add captions / subtitles | captions.md |
| Add text overlays | text-overlays.md |
| Create transparent WebM video | video-generation.md (WebM section) |
| Use templates | templates.md |
| Create avatar from photo | photo-avatars.md |
| Check video status / download | video-status.md |
| Upload assets (images, audio) | assets.md |
| Use with Remotion | remotion-integration.md |
| Set up webhooks | webhooks.md |
When to Use This Skill vs Create Video
This skill is for precise control — you choose the avatar, write the exact script, configure each scene.
If the user just wants to describe a video idea and let AI handle the rest (script, avatar, visuals), use the create-video skill instead.
| User Says | Create Video Skill | This Skill |
|---|---|---|
| "Make me a video about X" | ✓ | |
| "Create a product demo" | ✓ | |
| "I want avatar Y to say exactly Z" | ✓ | |
| "Multi-scene video with different backgrounds" | ✓ | |
| "Transparent WebM for compositing" | ✓ | |
| "Use this specific voice for my script" | ✓ | |
| "Batch generate videos with exact specs" | ✓ |
Reference Files
Core Video Creation
- references/avatars.md - Listing avatars, styles, avatar_id selection
- references/voices.md - Listing voices, locales, speed/pitch
- references/scripts.md - Writing scripts, pauses, pacing
- references/video-generation.md - POST /v2/video/generate and multi-scene videos
Video Customization
- references/backgrounds.md - Solid colors, images, video backgrounds
- references/text-overlays.md - Adding text with fonts and positioning
- references/captions.md - Auto-generated captions and subtitles
Advanced Features
- references/templates.md - Template listing and variable replacement
- references/photo-avatars.md - Creating avatars from photos
- references/webhooks.md - Webhook endpoints and events
Integration
- references/remotion-integration.md - Using HeyGen in Remotion compositions
Foundation
- references/video-status.md - Polling patterns and download URLs
- references/assets.md - Uploading images, videos, audio
- references/dimensions.md - Resolution and aspect ratios
- references/quota.md - Credit system and usage limits
Best Practices
- Preview avatars before generating — Download
preview_image_urlso the user can see the avatar before committing - Use avatar's default voice — Most avatars have a
default_voice_idpre-matched for natural results - Fallback: match gender manually — If no default voice, ensure avatar and voice genders match
- Use test mode for development — Set
test: trueto avoid consuming credits (output will be watermarked) - Set generous timeouts — Video generation often takes 5-15 minutes, sometimes longer
- Validate inputs — Check avatar and voice IDs exist before generating
FAQ
What does the avatar-video skill do?
Create AI avatar videos with precise control over avatars, voices, scripts, scenes, and backgrounds using HeyGen's v2 API. Use when: (1) Choosing a specific avatar and voice for a video, (2) Writing exact scripts for an avatar to speak, (3) Building multi-scene videos with different backgrounds per scene, (4) Creating transparent WebM videos for compositing, (5) Using talking photos as video presenters, (6) Integrating HeyGen avatars with Remotion, (7) Batch video generation with exact specs, (8) Brand-consistent production videos with precise control.
How do I install avatar-video?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/calesthio/openmontage --skill avatar-video in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/avatar-video/ (personal) or .claude/skills/avatar-video/ (project).
Which AI agents can use avatar-video?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is avatar-video safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains avatar-video?
It is published by calesthio in calesthio/openmontage. It has 1,070 recorded installs.
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