---
title: "Use Runway in OpenClaw via RunAPI — Video Generation API"
url: "https://runapi.ai/openclaw-runway.md"
canonical: "https://runapi.ai/openclaw-runway"
locale: "en"
model: "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.

## API example

```bash
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"
  }'

```

### Response

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

```

## How it works

1. **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.
2. **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.
3. **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.

## 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. |

## FAQ

### 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.


## Links

- [OpenClaw setup guide →](https://runapi.ai/openclaw)
- [Runway on RunAPI →](https://runapi.ai/models/runway)
- [Model catalog](https://runapi.ai/models)
- [API docs](https://runapi.ai/docs)