Veo

Video Generation with Google Veo

Generate high-quality videos using Google's Veo API (Veo 2, 3, 3.1) with text-to-video, image-to-video, frame interpolation, presets, cost controls, and video extension.

Tool Location

The generation CLI is at: ${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts

Run with: npx tsx "${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts" [OPTIONS]

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+ installed
• GOOGLE_API_KEY set in ~/.claude/.env

Interactive Flow

1. Parse Arguments

Check what the user provided via $ARGUMENTS:

• Prompt text
• --duration (model-dependent: Veo 3.1/3: 4,6,8; Veo 2: 5,6,7,8)
• --aspect-ratio (16:9 or 9:16)
• --model (veo-2, veo-3, veo-3.1; default: veo-3.1)
• --preset (cinematic, vertical-social, product-demo, documentary)
• --output (file path for the .mp4)
• --image (starting frame for image-to-video)
• --last-frame (ending frame for interpolation, requires --image)

2. Gather Missing Information

If prompt is missing, ask:

What video would you like to generate? Describe the scene, subject, and action.

If duration is missing, ask with options (for Veo 3.1):

• 4 seconds ($0.60 fast / $1.60 standard)
• 6 seconds ($0.90 fast / $2.40 standard)
• 8 seconds ($1.20 fast / $3.20 standard) — Recommended

If aspect-ratio is missing, ask with options:

• 16:9 (YouTube, presentations) — Recommended
• 9:16 (TikTok, Reels, Stories)

3. Optional Enhancements

Optionally ask about:

• Model: veo-3.1 (default), veo-3, or veo-2
• Preset: cinematic, vertical-social, product-demo, documentary, or none
• Resolution: 720p (default), 1080p (8s only), or 4k (8s only, Veo 3+ only)
• Speed: fast (default) or standard (higher quality)
• Count: 1-4 videos to generate at once
• Person generation: allow_all, allow_adult, or dont_allow

4. Output Path

If output is missing, generate a default:

~/Downloads/video-[timestamp].mp4

When --count > 1, outputs are numbered: video-1.mp4, video-2.mp4, etc.

5. Cost Estimation

Before generating, run a dry-run to show cost:

npx tsx "${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts" \
  --prompt "..." --duration X --aspect-ratio X:X --dry-run

Show the estimated cost and confirm with the user before proceeding.

6. Generate

Run the generation:

npx tsx "${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts" \
  --prompt "USER_PROMPT" \
  --duration DURATION \
  --aspect-ratio ASPECT_RATIO \
  [--model MODEL] \
  [--preset PRESET] \
  [--resolution RESOLUTION] \
  [--speed SPEED] \
  [--count COUNT] \
  [--image IMAGE_PATH] \
  [--last-frame LAST_FRAME_PATH] \
  [--person-generation MODE] \
  [--confirm-cost] \
  --output OUTPUT_PATH

7. Report Results

After completion, report:

• Output file path(s) and count
• Actual cost
• Whether the video can be extended (not available for 4k)
• Metadata file path (needed for extensions)

Image-to-Video

Animate a starting image:

npx tsx "${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts" \
  --image /path/to/photo.jpg \
  --prompt "The scene comes alive..." \
  --duration 8 --aspect-ratio 16:9 \
  --output /path/to/animated.mp4

Frame Interpolation

Generate a video that transitions between two keyframes:

npx tsx "${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts" \
  --image /path/to/start.jpg \
  --last-frame /path/to/end.jpg \
  --prompt "Smooth transition between scenes" \
  --duration 8 --aspect-ratio 16:9 \
  --output /path/to/interpolated.mp4

Interpolation requires duration=8 and is only supported on Veo 3.1.

Video Extension

To extend a previously generated video:

npx tsx "${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts" \
  --extend /path/to/previous.mp4 \
  --prompt "Continue the scene as..." \
  --output /path/to/extended.mp4

Extensions add 7 seconds per call. Requires the .meta.json sidecar from the original generation. Maximum total duration: 148 seconds. Not available for 4k videos.

Models

Presets

Cost Reference

--confirm-cost required when using standard speed or 4k resolution.

Prompting Tips

Refer to references/prompting.md for the full guide. Key points:

• Use the 6-part formula: Cinematography, Subject, Action, Context, Style, Audio
• Audio is generated natively from prompt cues (dialogue in quotes, sound effects, ambient noise)
• Front-load critical information (early tokens are weighted more)
• One camera movement and one action per clip
• 100-150 words is the sweet spot
• Use --negative-prompt to exclude unwanted elements

Query Operations

# List available presets
npx tsx "${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts" --list-presets

# Show preset details
npx tsx "${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts" --show-preset cinematic

# Preview final prompt with preset applied
npx tsx "${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts" --prompt "..." --preset cinematic --prompt-only

# Cost estimate
npx tsx "${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts" --prompt "test" --duration 8 --aspect-ratio 16:9 --dry-run

# Check operation status
npx tsx "${SKILL_DIR}/scripts/Generate.ts" --status OPERATION_ID