heygen
[DEPRECATED] Use create-video for prompt-based video generation or avatar-video for precise avatar/scene control. This legacy skill combines both workflows — the newer focused skills provide clearer guidance.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/calesthio/openmontage --skill heygen- 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 heygen 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.
HeyGen API (Deprecated)
This skill is deprecated. Use the focused skills instead:
create-video— Generate videos from a text prompt (Video Agent API)avatar-video— Build videos with specific avatars, voices, scripts, and scenes (v2 API)
This skill remains for backward compatibility but will be removed in a future release.
AI avatar video creation API for generating talking-head videos, explainers, and presentations.
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) |
|---|---|---|
| Generate video from prompt | mcp__heygen__generate_video_agent | POST /v1/video_agent/generate |
| 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} |
If no HeyGen MCP tools are available, use direct HTTP API calls with X-Api-Key: $HEYGEN_API_KEY header as documented in the reference files.
Default Workflow
Prefer Video Agent for most video requests. Always use prompt-optimizer.md guidelines to structure prompts with scenes, timing, and visual styles.
With MCP tools:
- Write an optimized prompt using prompt-optimizer.md → visual-styles.md
- Call
mcp__heygen__generate_video_agentwith prompt and config (duration_sec, orientation, avatar_id) - Call
mcp__heygen__get_videowith the returned video_id to poll status and get the download URL
Without MCP tools (direct API):
- Write an optimized prompt using prompt-optimizer.md → visual-styles.md
POST /v1/video_agent/generate— see video-agent.mdGET /v2/videos/<id>— see video-status.md
Only use v2/video/generate when user explicitly needs:
- Exact script without AI modification
- Specific voice_id selection
- Different avatars/backgrounds per scene
- Precise per-scene timing control
- Programmatic/batch generation with exact specs
Quick Reference
| Task | MCP Tool | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Generate video from prompt (easy) | mcp__heygen__generate_video_agent | prompt-optimizer.md → visual-styles.md → video-agent.md |
| Generate video with precise control | — | video-generation.md, avatars.md, voices.md |
| Check video status / get download URL | mcp__heygen__get_video | video-status.md |
| Add captions or text overlays | — | captions.md, text-overlays.md |
| Transparent video for compositing | — | video-generation.md (WebM section) |
| Use with Remotion | — | remotion-integration.md |
Reference Files
Foundation
- references/authentication.md - API key setup and X-Api-Key header
- references/quota.md - Credit system and usage limits
- references/video-status.md - Polling patterns and download URLs
- references/assets.md - Uploading images, videos, audio
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
- references/video-agent.md - One-shot prompt video generation
- references/prompt-optimizer.md - Writing effective Video Agent prompts (core workflow + rules)
- references/visual-styles.md - 20 named visual styles with full specs
- references/prompt-examples.md - Full production prompt example + ready-to-use templates
- references/dimensions.md - Resolution and aspect ratios
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
FAQ
What does the heygen skill do?
[DEPRECATED] Use create-video for prompt-based video generation or avatar-video for precise avatar/scene control. This legacy skill combines both workflows — the newer focused skills provide clearer guidance.
How do I install heygen?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/calesthio/openmontage --skill heygen 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/heygen/ (personal) or .claude/skills/heygen/ (project).
Which AI agents can use heygen?
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 heygen 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 heygen?
It is published by calesthio in calesthio/openmontage. It has 1,059 recorded installs.
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