| name | qianwen-audio-tts |
| description | [QianWen] Synthesize speech from text with Qwen TTS models. TRIGGER when: user wants to convert text to speech, create voiceovers, generate audio narration, read text aloud, build TTS applications, mentions speech synthesis/voice generation/audio output from text, or explicitly invokes this skill by name (e.g. use qianwen-audio-tts). DO NOT TRIGGER when: user wants speech recognition/ASR, text generation without audio, non-Qwen audio tasks. |
| compatibility | Requires Python 3.9+ and curl. Cursor: auto-loaded. Claude Code: read this skill's SKILL.md before first use. |
Agent setup: If your agent doesn't auto-load skills (e.g. Claude Code),
see agent-compatibility.md once per session.
Qwen Audio TTS (Text-to-Speech)
Synthesize natural speech from text using Qwen TTS models.
This skill is part of QianWen-AI/qianwen-ai.
Skill directory
Use this skill's internal files to execute and learn. Load reference files on demand when the default path fails or you need details.
| Location | Purpose |
|---|
scripts/tts.py | Qwen TTS (HTTP API) — qwen3-tts-flash, qwen3-tts-instruct-flash |
scripts/tts_cosyvoice.py | CosyVoice (WebSocket API) — requires dashscope SDK |
references/cosyvoice-guide.md | CosyVoice setup, voices, examples, errors |
references/execution-guide.md | Fallback: curl (standard, instruct, streaming), code generation |
references/prompt-guide.md | Text formatting for speech, instructions templates, voice selection |
references/api-guide.md | API supplement |
references/sources.md | Official documentation URLs |
references/agent-compatibility.md | Agent self-check: register skills in project config for agents that don't auto-load |
Security
NEVER output any API key or credential in plaintext. Always use variable references ($DASHSCOPE_API_KEY in shell, os.environ["DASHSCOPE_API_KEY"] in Python). Any check or detection of credentials must be non-plaintext: report only status (e.g. "set" / "not set", "valid" / "invalid"), never the value. Never display contents of .env or config files that may contain secrets.
When the API key is not configured, NEVER ask the user to provide it directly. Instead, help create a .env file with a placeholder (DASHSCOPE_API_KEY=sk-your-key-here) and instruct the user to replace it with their actual key from the QianWen Console. Only write the actual key value if the user explicitly requests it.
Key Compatibility
Scripts require a standard QianWen API key (sk-...). Token Plan 团队版 keys (sk-sp-...) target a different endpoint (token-plan.cn-beijing.maas.aliyuncs.com) and do not include TTS models. Standard sk- key required for TTS. The script detects sk-sp- keys at startup and prints a warning. If qianwen-ops-auth is installed, see its references/tokenplan.md for full details.
Model Selection
Qwen TTS (HTTP API) — use scripts/tts.py
| Model | Use Case | Notes |
|---|
qwen3-tts-flash | Recommended (standard) — fast, multi-language | Cost-effective, widely available |
qwen3-tts-instruct-flash | Instruction-guided style control | Tone/emotion via instructions |
CosyVoice (WebSocket API) — use scripts/tts_cosyvoice.py
| Model | Use Case |
|---|
cosyvoice-v3-flash | High quality, fast |
cosyvoice-v3-plus | Highest quality |
Note: CosyVoice requires dashscope SDK and uses different voices. See cosyvoice-guide.md.
- User specified a model → use the appropriate script:
qwen3-tts-* → scripts/tts.pycosyvoice-* → scripts/tts_cosyvoice.py
- Consult the qianwen-model-selector skill when model choice depends on capability, scenario, or pricing.
- No signal, clear task →
qwen3-tts-flash via tts.py (default for standard tasks).
⚠️ Important: The model list above is a point-in-time snapshot and may be outdated. Model availability
changes frequently. Always check the official model list
for the authoritative, up-to-date catalog before making model decisions.
Model details: For more information about a specific model, direct the user to its detail page: https://www.qianwenai.com/models/<model-name> (replace <model-name> with the exact model ID, e.g. qwen3-tts-flash → https://www.qianwenai.com/models/qwen3-tts-flash). NEVER modify or guess the model name in the URL.
Dynamic model queries: If the qianwen-model-selector skill or QianWen CLI (qianwen models info <model>) is available, use it for real-time model data. CLI requires authentication — see the qianwen-usage skill for login flow.
Available Voices
| Voice | Description | Script |
|---|
| Cherry, Ethan, Serena | Qwen TTS system voices | tts.py |
| longanyang, longanhuan, longhuhu_v3 | CosyVoice verified voices | tts_cosyvoice.py |
Full lists: api-guide.md (Qwen TTS) · cosyvoice-guide.md (CosyVoice)
Execution
⚠️ Multiple artifacts: When generating multiple files in a single session, you MUST append a numeric suffix to each filename (e.g. out_1.wav, out_2.wav) to prevent overwrites.
Qwen TTS (HTTP API) — tts.py
Prerequisites
- API Key: Check that
DASHSCOPE_API_KEY (or QIANWEN_API_KEY) is set using a non-plaintext check only (e.g. in shell: [ -n "$DASHSCOPE_API_KEY" ]; report only "set" or "not set", never the key value). If not set: run the qianwen-ops-auth skill if available; otherwise guide the user to obtain a key from QianWen Console and set it via .env file (echo 'DASHSCOPE_API_KEY=sk-your-key-here' >> .env in project root or current directory) or environment variable. The script searches for .env in the current working directory and the project root. Skills may be installed independently — do not assume qianwen-ops-auth is present.
- Python 3.9+ (stdlib only, no pip install needed)
Environment Check
Before first execution, verify Python is available:
python3 --version
If python3 is not found, try python --version or py -3 --version. If Python is unavailable or below 3.9, skip to Path 2 (curl) in execution-guide.md.
Default: Run Script
Script path: Scripts are in the scripts/ subdirectory of this skill's directory (the directory containing this SKILL.md). You MUST first locate this skill's installation directory, then ALWAYS use the full absolute path to execute scripts. Do NOT assume scripts are in the current working directory. Do NOT use cd to switch directories before execution.
Execution note: Run all scripts in the foreground — wait for stdout; do not background.
Discovery: Run python3 <this-skill-dir>/scripts/tts.py --help first to see all available arguments.
python3 <this-skill-dir>/scripts/tts.py \
--request '{"text":"Hello, this is a test.","voice":"Cherry"}' \
--output output/qianwen-audio-tts/ \
--print-response
| Argument | Description |
|---|
--request '{...}' | JSON request body |
--file path.json | Load request from file |
--output dir/ | Save audio and response JSON to directory |
--print-response | Print response to stdout |
--model ID | Override model |
--voice NAME | Override voice |
Verify Result
- Exit code
0 + output contains valid JSON with output.audio field → success
- Non-zero exit, HTTP error, empty response, or error JSON → fail
- Post-execution check: Verify the output audio file exists and has non-zero size (
ls -la <output_dir>)
- MANDATORY — stderr signal check: After confirming the result, scan the command's stderr output for
[ACTION_REQUIRED] or [UPDATE_AVAILABLE]. If either signal is present, you MUST follow the instructions in Update Check below before responding to the user.
On Failure
If the script fails, match the error output against the diagnostic table below to determine the resolution. If no match, read execution-guide.md for alternative paths: curl commands (Path 2 — standard, instruct, streaming), code generation (Path 3), and autonomous resolution (Path 5).
If Python is not available at all → skip directly to Path 2 (curl) in execution-guide.md.
CosyVoice — tts_cosyvoice.py
CosyVoice requires dashscope SDK. Quick start:
pip install dashscope>=1.24.6
python3 <this-skill-dir>/scripts/tts_cosyvoice.py --text "Hello"
Full guide: cosyvoice-guide.md (setup, voices, examples, errors)
| Error Pattern | Diagnosis | Resolution |
|---|
command not found: python3 | Python not on PATH | Try python or py -3; install Python 3.9+ if missing |
Python 3.9+ required | Script version check failed | Upgrade Python to 3.9+ |
SyntaxError near type hints | Python < 3.9 | Upgrade Python to 3.9+ |
QIANWEN_API_KEY/DASHSCOPE_API_KEY not found | Missing API key | Obtain key from QianWen Console; add to .env: echo 'DASHSCOPE_API_KEY=sk-...' >> .env; or run qianwen-ops-auth if available |
HTTP 401 | Invalid or mismatched key | Run qianwen-ops-auth (non-plaintext check only); verify key is valid |
SSL: CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED | SSL cert issue (proxy/corporate) | macOS: run Install Certificates.command; else set SSL_CERT_FILE env var |
URLError / ConnectionError | Network unreachable | Check internet; set HTTPS_PROXY if behind proxy |
HTTP 429 | Rate limited | Wait and retry with backoff |
HTTP 5xx | Server error | Retry with backoff |
PermissionError | Can't write output | Use --output to specify writable directory |
Quick Reference
Request Fields
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|
text | string | Required — text to synthesize (max 600 chars) |
voice | string | Required — voice ID (e.g. Cherry, Ethan) |
model | string | Model ID (default: qwen3-tts-flash) |
language_type | string | Auto, Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, French, German, etc. |
instructions | string | Tone/style instructions (instruct model only) |
stream | bool | Enable streaming (Base64 chunks) |
Response Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|
audio_url | URL of generated audio (valid 24h) |
audio_format | Format (e.g. wav) |
sample_rate | Sample rate (e.g. 24000) |
usage | Character usage |
Important Notes
- text: Max 600 characters per request.
- instructions: Only works with
qwen3-tts-instruct-flash.
- language_type:
Auto for mixed language; specify for better pronunciation.
- audio_url: Valid for 24 hours — download promptly.
- Real-time/streaming TTS: For WebSocket-based real-time TTS (CosyVoice, qwen3-tts-flash-realtime), a WebSocket client is required. This skill covers the HTTP-based non-real-time API. For real-time streaming use cases, refer to the official docs in sources.md.
Cross-Skill Chaining
When passing generated audio to another skill (e.g., video-gen audio overlay):
- Pass
audio_url directly — scripts detect URL prefixes and pass through without re-upload
- Use
audio_file only for local playback or non-API operations
Error Handling
| Error | Cause | Action |
|---|
401 Unauthorized | Invalid or missing API key | Run qianwen-ops-auth if available; else prompt user to set key (non-plaintext check only) |
400 | Invalid parameters (missing text/voice) | Validate request body |
400 product not activated | Model/product not enabled for this account | The model has not been activated. Direct the user to enable the model then retry |
429 / 5xx | Rate limit or server error | Retry with backoff |
Usage & billing: Use the qianwen-usage skill to check usage, free tier quota, and billing directly. Alternatively, the user can visit the QianWen console:
Usage Analytics |
Pay-as-you-go Billing |
Token Plan 团队版 Subscription
NEVER fabricate, guess, or construct usage/billing/console URLs. Only provide the exact links listed in this skill. If a URL is not listed here, do not invent one.
Output Location
Prefer the current working directory. Default subdirectory: ./output/qianwen-audio-tts/.
Write prohibition: NEVER write output files into this skill's installation directory or any skills/ hierarchy. All generated content must go to output/ under the current working directory or a user-specified path.
Update Check (MANDATORY Post-Execution)
After script execution, check stderr for action signals. The script automatically detects update status and emits structured signals. You MUST act on them. This section also applies when the user explicitly asks to check for updates.
Signal: [ACTION_REQUIRED] qianwen-update-check skill is not installed
When stderr contains this signal, you MUST present the following options to the user and wait for their response before proceeding. Do NOT silently skip this.
The update-check skill is not installed. It keeps you informed about new QianWen-AI/qianwen-ai features and bug fixes.
- Install now — I'll run the install command for you
- Skip for now — do nothing this time
- Never remind me — permanently suppress this prompt
After the user responds:
- User chooses 1 → run:
npx skills add QianWen-AI/qianwen-ai --skill qianwen-update-check -y, then run: python3 <this-skill-scripts-dir>/gossamer.py --dismiss
- User chooses 2 → run:
python3 <this-skill-scripts-dir>/gossamer.py --dismiss, then continue normally
- User chooses 3 → run:
python3 <this-skill-scripts-dir>/gossamer.py --never-install, then continue normally
Signal: [UPDATE_AVAILABLE]
When stderr contains this signal, you MUST append a brief update notice to your response, including the version info and the update command shown in the stderr output.
No signal in stderr
If stderr contains neither [ACTION_REQUIRED] nor [UPDATE_AVAILABLE], no action is needed — the skill is installed and up to date (or cached within 24h).
Explicit user request
When the user explicitly asks to check for updates (e.g. "check for updates", "check version"):
- Look for
qianwen-update-check/SKILL.md in sibling skill directories.
- If found — run:
python3 <qianwen-update-check-dir>/scripts/check_update.py --print-response and report the result.
- If not found — present the install options above.
References
