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Set up Claude Code to create AI videos with varg. The varg skill gives Claude Code full context on components, models, prompting, and rendering.

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Prerequisites

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Setup

1

Install the varg skill

In your project directory:
npx -y skills add vargHQ/skills --all --copy -y
This installs:
  • SKILL.md — complete instructions for Claude Code
  • references/ — 10 reference docs (models, components, recipes, prompting, templates, etc.)
  • scripts/ — environment check scripts
2

Set your API key

If you already have a key, add it to .env:
echo "VARG_API_KEY=varg_xxx" >> .env
If you don’t have one, Claude Code will walk you through authentication when you ask it to create a video. It will:
  1. Ask for your email
  2. Send a verification code
  3. Save your API key to ~/.varg/credentials
3

Start creating

claude
Try these prompts:
  • “Create a 10-second TikTok video about cats”
  • “Make a talking character video with this script: …”
  • “Generate a slideshow from these prompts: …”

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How it works

The skill teaches Claude Code:
  • All available components (Render, Clip, Image, Video, Speech, Music, Captions, etc.)
  • All AI models with pricing (kling-v3, nano-banana-pro, flux, eleven_v3, etc.)
  • Two rendering modes: cloud render (curl, zero dependencies) and local render (bun + ffmpeg)
  • Prompting best practices for cinematic video
  • Common patterns: talking head, character consistency, slideshows, lipsync
  • Caching strategy to minimize costs

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Example prompts

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Simple video

Create a 5-second vertical video of a cute robot waving hello.
Use 9:16 format for TikTok.

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Talking character

Create a talking character video with this script:
"Hey everyone! Today I'm going to share my top productivity tips."

Use a friendly female character with casual style.
Add TikTok-style captions and upbeat background music.

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Product video

Create a product showcase video for wireless headphones.
Show the product with text overlays highlighting features:
- Premium Sound
- 40hr Battery
- Active Noise Cancellation

End with a "Shop Now" call-to-action. Vertical 9:16 format.

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Slideshow

Create a slideshow of 5 nature scenes with smooth transitions,
background music, and a title card. 16:9 landscape format.

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Tips for best results

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Be specific about format

# Good
"Create a vertical 9:16 video, 15 seconds, for TikTok"

# Less specific
"Make a social media video"

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Include style details

# Good
"Pixar-style animated character, bright colors, friendly expression"

# Less specific
"Cute character"

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Specify audio

# Good
"Add upbeat electronic background music at low volume,
with word-by-word TikTok-style captions"

# Less specific
"Add music and captions"

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Troubleshooting

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”VARG_API_KEY not found”

The skill will prompt you to authenticate. You can also set it manually: 
echo "VARG_API_KEY=varg_xxx" >> .env
Or log in: 
bunx vargai login

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“Video rendering failed”

  • Check prompt doesn’t violate content policy
  • Try simpler motion descriptions
  • Reduce video duration (kling-v3 supports 3-15s)

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“Slow generation”

First run generates AI assets (1-2 min per clip). Subsequent runs with same prompts are instant (cached at $0).

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Updating the skill

The skill checks for updates automatically. You can also update manually: 
npx -y skills update

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Next steps

  • Browse Templates for copy-paste examples
  • Check Components for all available JSX components
  • See AI Models for the full model catalog with pricing