Can I use Runway video generation in OpenClaw?

Yes. OpenClaw agents can call the RunAPI Runway endpoint directly. Configure RunAPI with your RUNAPI_API_KEY, then send a POST to /api/v1/runway/text_to_video with model set to runway, a prompt, duration, and resolution.

What is the difference between Runway Gen-4 and Runway Aleph?

Runway Gen-4 (model: runway) handles text_to_video and extend_video. Runway Aleph (model: runway-aleph) handles edit_video — transforming an existing source video with a text prompt. Use Gen-4 for creating new video from scratch, Aleph for restyling existing footage.

How does Runway pricing work on RunAPI?

Runway uses matrix billing based on duration_seconds and output_resolution. A 5-second 720p clip costs less than a 10-second 1080p clip. Check the RunAPI pricing page for current rates. Per-second billing, no subscription required.

Can I extend a Runway video after generating it?

Yes. Call the extend_video endpoint with the source_task_id from the original generation and a new prompt. The extension appends to the existing clip. Extend pricing is per-clip based on output_resolution.

Is Runway generation synchronous or asynchronous?

Asynchronous. The create endpoint returns a task_id immediately. Video generation typically takes 30–120 seconds depending on duration and resolution. Poll the task status endpoint or provide a callback_url to receive a webhook when the video is ready.

OPENCLAW + RUNWAY

Use Runway in OpenClaw.

Runway Gen-4 generates 5-second or 10-second videos at 720p or 1080p from a text prompt or a first-frame image. OpenClaw agents call it through the same RunAPI key used for chat — send text_to_video with a duration and resolution, poll the task, and receive a video URL. Extend existing clips with extend_video, or use Runway Aleph for video-to-video editing.

Get API Key Read the docs

one API key · text to video endpoint · 720p or 1080p output

Use RunAPI to generate a video with Runway Gen-4.

Requirements:
- Read the API key from RUNAPI_API_KEY.
- Call POST https://runapi.ai/api/v1/runway/text_to_video
- Set model to "runway".
- Set prompt to describe the video content.
- Set duration_seconds to 5 or 10.
- Set output_resolution to "720p" or "1080p".
- Optionally set first_frame_image_url to guide the opening frame.
- The task is async. Poll the returned task_id until status is "completed".
- When done, read the video URL from the response output.

curl -X POST https://runapi.ai/api/v1/runway/text_to_video \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $RUNAPI_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "runway",
    "prompt": "A drone shot rising over a misty mountain lake at sunrise, cinematic lighting",
    "duration_seconds": 10,
    "output_resolution": "1080p",
    "aspect_ratio": "16:9"
  }'

{
  "task_id": "tsk_abc123",
  "status": "pending",
  "model": "runway"
}

Copy the curl command to test runway

HOW IT WORKS

Use Runway in OpenClaw in three steps

Configure RunAPI

Set RUNAPI_API_KEY in your environment. If you already configured RunAPI for chat in OpenClaw, the same key works for Runway video generation — no extra provider setup needed.

export RUNAPI_API_KEY=runapi_xxx

Call Runway text_to_video

Send a POST to the text_to_video endpoint with model set to runway, a prompt, duration_seconds (5 or 10), and output_resolution (720p or 1080p). Add first_frame_image_url to anchor the opening frame to a reference image.

POST /api/v1/runway/text_to_video

Poll for the result

The endpoint returns a task_id immediately. Poll the task status endpoint until the status is completed, then read the output video URL from the response. To extend the clip, call extend_video with the source_task_id.

GET /api/v1/runway/text_to_video/tsk_abc123

PARAMETERS

Runway text_to_video API parameters

Parameter	Type	Description
`model`	`string`	Required. Use runway for Gen-4, or runway-aleph for Aleph edit_video.
`prompt`	`string`	Required. Text description of the video content — camera motion, scene, lighting.
`duration_seconds`	`integer`	Required. Video length: 5 or 10 seconds.
`output_resolution`	`string`	Required. Output resolution: 720p or 1080p. Affects pricing.
`first_frame_image_url`	`string`	Optional. URL of an image to use as the first frame of the video.
`aspect_ratio`	`string`	Optional. Output aspect ratio: 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, or 3:4.
`callback_url`	`string`	Optional. Webhook URL that receives a POST when the task completes.

What is Runway on OpenClaw?

Runway Gen-4 is known for quick, clean, cinematic output with smooth motion and strong prompt adherence. It generates 5 or 10 second clips at 720p or 1080p from text prompts or reference images, with world consistency that keeps characters and environments stable within a shot. OpenClaw agents call it through RunAPI with the same API key used for chat.

Runway use cases

Intros and B-rolls for creators

Generate polished intro sequences and B-roll footage for YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok content. Runway's cinematic framing produces broadcast-quality clips from text descriptions.

Micro-ads and short reels

Create 5-second or 10-second ad clips and promotional reels. Supply a product image as the first frame and Runway animates it with camera movement and natural lighting.

Filmmaking pre-visualization

Generate concept clips for narrative-driven content with consistent characters. Use reference images to lock down character appearance across multiple shots before committing to production.

FAQ

Runway + OpenClaw questions

OpenClaw general setup

Not configured yet? Start with the RunAPI setup guide for OpenClaw.

OpenClaw setup guide →

Runway model catalog

See Runway Gen-4 and Aleph variants, pricing, and API docs.

Runway on RunAPI →

Try Runway in OpenClaw today.

Get a free RunAPI key, paste the prompt into OpenClaw, and generate cinematic video with Runway Gen-4 at 720p or 1080p.

Browse models →