— name: podcast-generation description: Use this skill when the user requests to generate, create, or produce podcasts from text content. Converts written content into a two-host conversational podcast audio format with natural dialogue. — # Podcast Generation Skill ## Overview This skill generates high-quality podcast audio from text content. The workflow includes creating a structured JSON script (conversational dialogue) and executing audio generation through text-to-speech synthesis. ## Core Capabilities – Convert any text content (articles, reports, documentation) into podcast scripts – Generate natural two-host conversational dialogue (male and female hosts) – Synthesize speech audio using text-to-speech – Mix audio chunks into a final podcast MP3 file – Support both English and Chinese content ## Workflow ### Step 1: Understand Requirements When a user requests podcast generation, identify: – Source content: The text/article/report to convert into a podcast – Language: English or Chinese (based on content) – Output location: Where to save the generated podcast – You don't need to check the folder under `/mnt/user-data` ### Step 2: Create Structured Script JSON Generate a structured JSON script file in `/mnt/user-data/workspace/` with naming pattern: `{descriptive-name}-script.json` The JSON structure: “`json { "locale": "en", "lines": [ {"speaker": "male", "paragraph": "dialogue text"}, {"speaker": "female", "paragraph": "dialogue text"} ] } “` ### Step 3: Execute Generation Call the Python script: “`bash python /mnt/skills/public/podcast-generation/scripts/generate.py \ –script-file /mnt/user-data/workspace/script-file.json \ –output-file /mnt/user-data/outputs/generated-podcast.mp3 \ –transcript-file /mnt/user-data/outputs/generated-podcast-transcript.md “` Parameters: – `–script-file`: Absolute path to JSON script file (required) – `–output-file`: Absolute path to output MP3 file (required) – `–transcript-file`: Absolute path to output transcript markdown file (optional, but recommended) > [!IMPORTANT] > – Execute the script in one complete call. Do NOT split the workflow into separate steps. > – The script handles all TTS API calls and audio generation internally. > – Do NOT read the Python file, just call it with the parameters. > – Always include `–transcript-file` to generate a readable transcript for the user. ## Script JSON Format The script JSON file must follow this structure: “`json { "title": "The History of Artificial Intelligence", "locale": "en", "lines": [ {"speaker": "male", "paragraph": "Hello Deer! Welcome back to another episode."}, {"speaker": "female", "paragraph": "Hey everyone! Today we have an exciting topic to discuss."}, {"speaker": "male", "paragraph": "That's right! We're going to talk about…"} ] } “` Fields: – `title`: Title of the podcast episode (optional, used as heading in transcript) – `locale`: Language code – "en" for English or "zh" for Chinese – `lines`: Array of dialogue lines – `speaker`: Either "male" or "female" – `paragraph`: The dialogue text for this speaker ## Script Writing Guidelines When creating the script JSON, follow these guidelines: ### Format Requirements – Only two hosts: male and female, alternating naturally – Target runtime: approximately 10 minutes of dialogue (around 40-60 lines) – Start with the male host saying a greeting that includes "Hello Deer" ### Tone & Style – Natural, conversational dialogue – like two friends chatting – Use casual expressions and conversational transitions – Avoid overly formal language or academic tone – Include reactions, follow-up questions, and natural interjections ### Content Guidelines – Frequent back-and-forth between hosts – Keep sentences short and easy to follow when spoken – Plain text only – no markdown formatting in the output – Translate technical concepts into accessible language – No mathematical formulas, code, or complex notation – Make content engaging and accessible for audio-only listeners – Exclude meta information like dates, author names, or document structure ## Podcast Generation Example User request: "Generate a podcast about the history of artificial intelligence" Step 1: Create script file `/mnt/user-data/workspace/ai-history-script.json`: “`json { "title": "The History of Artificial Intelligence", "locale": "en", "lines": [ {"speaker": "male", "paragraph": "Hello Deer! Welcome back to another fascinating episode. Today we're diving into something that's literally shaping our future – the history of artificial intelligence."}, {"speaker": "female", "paragraph": "Oh, I love this topic! You know, AI feels so modern, but it actually has roots going back over seventy years."}, {"speaker": "male", "paragraph": "Exactly! It all started back in the 1950s. The term artificial intelligence was actually coined by John McCarthy in 1956 at a famous conference at Dartmouth."}, {"speaker": "female", "paragraph": "Wait, so they were already thinking about machines that could think back then? That's incredible!"}, {"speaker": "male", "paragraph": "Right? The early pioneers were so optimistic. They thought we'd have human-level AI within a generation."}, {"speaker": "female", "paragraph": "But things didn't quite work out that way, did they?"}, {"speaker": "male", "paragraph": "No, not at all. The 1970s brought what's called the first AI winter…"} ] } “` Step 2: Execute generation: “`bash python /mnt/skills/public/podcast-generation/scripts/generate.py \ –script-file /mnt/user-data/workspace/ai-history-script.json \ –output-file /mnt/user-data/outputs/ai-history-podcast.mp3 \ –transcript-file /mnt/user-data/outputs/ai-history-transcript.md “` This will generate: – `ai-history-podcast.mp3`: The audio podcast file – `ai-history-transcript.md`: A readable markdown transcript of the podcast ## Specific Templates Read the following template file only when matching the user request. – [Tech Explainer](templates/tech-explainer.md) – For converting technical documentation and tutorials ## Output Format The generated podcast follows the "Hello Deer" format: – Two hosts: one male, one female – Natural conversational dialogue – Starts with "Hello Deer" greeting – Target duration: approximately 10 minutes – Alternating speakers for engaging flow ## Output Handling After generation: – Podcasts and transcripts are saved in `/mnt/user-data/outputs/` – Share both the podcast MP3 and transcript MD with user using `present_files` tool – Provide brief description of the generation result (topic, duration, hosts) – Offer to regenerate if adjustments needed ## Requirements The following environment variables must be set: – `VOLCENGINE_TTS_APPID`: Volcengine TTS application ID – `VOLCENGINE_TTS_ACCESS_TOKEN`: Volcengine TTS access token – `VOLCENGINE_TTS_CLUSTER`: Volcengine TTS cluster (optional, defaults to "volcano_tts") ## Notes – **Always execute the full pipeline in one call** – no need to test individual steps or worry about timeouts – The script JSON should match the content language (en or zh) – Technical content should be simplified for audio accessibility in the script – Complex notations (formulas, code) should be translated to plain language in the script – Long content may result in longer podcasts