name	video-generation
description	Gemini video generation with Veo 3.1 via the Python SDK. Use when generating videos from text or images, using reference images, first/last frame interpolation, or video extension, and when tuning Veo parameters (aspect ratio, resolution, duration, negative prompts, personGeneration, seed).

Video Generation with Gemini (Veo 3.1)

Use this skill when the user asks to generate or extend videos with Gemini using the Python SDK. Default to veo-3.1-fast-generate-preview, resolution="720p", and duration_seconds=4, unless the user asks otherwise or the task requires different settings (e.g., extension, interpolation, reference images, 1080p/4k).

Workflow

Identify the task type: text-to-video, image-to-video, reference images, first/last frames (interpolation), or video extension.
Ensure GEMINI_API_KEY is available (env or local .env), then use the Python SDK.
When using images, pass types.Image(imageBytes=..., mimeType=...) (not PIL.Image or types.Part) to avoid input type errors.
Call client.models.generate_videos(...) with the correct inputs/config (see references).
Poll the operation until done, then download and save the video.
If no videos are returned, surface a clear error and suggest checking the API key, model, and config.

Use these references (by task type)

Common setup and workflow: references/overview.md
Parameters and constraints: references/parameters.md
Model versions and limits: references/model-versions-and-limitations.md
Prompting guidance: references/prompt-guide.md

Task types

Text-to-video: examples/text-to-video.md
Image-to-video: examples/image-to-video.md
Reference images: examples/reference-images.md
First/last frames (interpolation): examples/first-last-frames.md
Video extension: examples/video-extension.md

Tuning examples

Aspect ratio: examples/aspect-ratio.md
Resolution (4k): examples/resolution.md
Negative prompt: examples/negative-prompt.md

Defaults and notes

Default model: veo-3.1-fast-generate-preview.
Default output: 720p, 4 seconds.
For image inputs, always provide imageBytes + mimeType via types.Image to prevent INVALID_ARGUMENT errors.
1080p/4k, reference images, interpolation, and video extension require duration_seconds=8.
Video extension is limited to 720p inputs and requires a video from a previous Veo generation.
Video generation can take minutes; allow longer timeouts when running commands.

Video Generation with Gemini (Veo 3.1)

Workflow

Identify the task type: text-to-video, image-to-video, reference images, first/last frames (interpolation), or video extension.

Ensure GEMINI_API_KEY is available (env or local .env), then use the Python SDK.

When using images, pass types.Image(imageBytes=..., mimeType=...) (not PIL.Image or types.Part) to avoid input type errors.

Call client.models.generate_videos(...) with the correct inputs/config (see references).

Poll the operation until done, then download and save the video.

If no videos are returned, surface a clear error and suggest checking the API key, model, and config.

Use these references (by task type)

Common setup and workflow: references/overview.md

Parameters and constraints: references/parameters.md

Model versions and limits: references/model-versions-and-limitations.md

Prompting guidance: references/prompt-guide.md

Task types

Text-to-video: examples/text-to-video.md

Image-to-video: examples/image-to-video.md

Reference images: examples/reference-images.md

First/last frames (interpolation): examples/first-last-frames.md

Video extension: examples/video-extension.md

Tuning examples

Aspect ratio: examples/aspect-ratio.md

Resolution (4k): examples/resolution.md

Negative prompt: examples/negative-prompt.md

Defaults and notes

Default model: veo-3.1-fast-generate-preview.

Default output: 720p, 4 seconds.

For image inputs, always provide imageBytes + mimeType via types.Image to prevent INVALID_ARGUMENT errors.

1080p/4k, reference images, interpolation, and video extension require duration_seconds=8.

Video extension is limited to 720p inputs and requires a video from a previous Veo generation.

Video generation can take minutes; allow longer timeouts when running commands.

video-generation