# Heygen

[DEPRECATED] Use `create-video` for prompt-based video generation or `avatar-video` for...

- Repository: https://github.com/calesthio/OpenMontage (74341 stars)
- Category: AI and agents
- License: AGPL-3.0
- Last updated: 2026-10-28
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add calesthio/OpenMontage --skill heygen -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add calesthio/OpenMontage --skill heygen -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add calesthio/OpenMontage --skill heygen -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add calesthio/OpenMontage --skill heygen -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

[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.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# 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](references/prompt-optimizer.md) guidelines to structure prompts with scenes, timing, and visual styles.

**With MCP tools:**
1. Write an optimized prompt using [prompt-optimizer.md](references/prompt-optimizer.md) → [visual-styles.md](references/visual-styles.md)
2. Call `mcp__heygen__generate_video_agent` with prompt and config (duration_sec, orientation, avatar_id)
3. Call `mcp__heygen__get_video` with the returned video_id to poll status and get the download URL

The rest: https://github.com/calesthio/OpenMontage/blob/HEAD/.agents/skills/heygen/SKILL.md