# MiniMax H3 Prompt Guide

## Purpose

Short prompt-authoring companion for the maintained `MiniMax H3` `r2v`
master. This keeps the prompt shape close to MiniMax's official H3 docs while
matching the local ComfyUI workflow that Chris is actually using.

## Official MiniMax doc takeaways

Based on:

- `https://platform.minimax.io/docs/guides/video-generation`
- `https://platform.minimax.io/docs/guides/video-prompt`
- `https://platform.minimax.io/docs/api-reference/video-generation-v2-h3-context-ir`

Key points worth preserving:

- Every request needs one non-empty text prompt.
- `reference-to-video` can combine `reference_image`, `reference_video`, and
  `reference_audio`.
- Official H3 limits allow up to `9` reference images, `3` reference videos,
  and `3` reference audio clips, with mixed inputs capped at `12` files total.
- Prompt length limit is `7000` characters.
- Official duration is `4-15` seconds, but this local workflow should still be
  planned around one clean `10s` beat per generation block.
- MiniMax explicitly recommends describing the relationship between references,
  not just listing disconnected visual details.
- Camera guidance can be embedded directly in the prompt; their docs call out
  tags like `[pan]`, `[zoom]`, and `[static]` as valid simple controls.
- `H3-Context-IR` exists to expand multimodal input into a richer structured
  prompt, but the current ComfyUI workflow still benefits from a clean manual
  prompt shape.

## Local workflow rules

- Treat `<Picture 1>` as the environment / master-scene reference when an
  environment reference is used.
- Group all images belonging to the same character explicitly.
- State what each reference controls and what it must not control.
- Ignore the backgrounds of character references unless a reference is
  explicitly assigned as the environment.
- Keep one coherent action beat per `10s` block.
- End each block in a state that naturally feeds the next continuation shot.

## Recommended prompt order

Use this order for the actual text block:

1. `Reference assignment`
2. `Reference usage and conflict resolution`
3. `Shot description`
4. `Camera`
5. `Visual continuity`
6. `Dialogue`
7. `Audio`

That order matches both the official MiniMax emphasis on relationship-aware
multimodal prompting and the authority rules already captured in the local
workflow.

## Prompt-writing rules

- Start by declaring which pictures belong to which subject.
- Say which image owns environment, body, face, clothing, props, or product
  identity.
- Tell the model what to ignore from each reference.
- Describe the shot chronologically.
- Keep camera language simple and continuous.
- Keep dialogue short enough to fit inside the same motion beat.
- State ambience and sound effects plainly instead of over-scoring the audio.

## Copy style that works well

Preferred reference phrasing:

```text
<Picture 1> is the environment and master scene reference.

<Picture 2> and <Picture 3> both represent Subject 1.
<Picture 2> is the primary full-body reference for Subject 1.
<Picture 3> is the facial identity reference for Subject 1.

Use <Picture 1> to define the environment, layout, lighting, and composition.
Use <Picture 2> to define Subject 1's body proportions, hair, and clothing.
Use <Picture 3> to reinforce Subject 1's face.

Ignore the original backgrounds of character references.
The environment is defined only by <Picture 1>.
```

Preferred shot phrasing:

```text
Shot 1 - 0.00s-10.00s

Subject 1 stands near the shop counter facing three-quarters left.
Subject 2 enters from the right edge and slows beside the doorway.
Subject 1 looks up, turns towards Subject 2, and gives a restrained nod.
Subject 2 answers with a small smile and steps closer.
The action ends with both subjects holding position, leaving the conversation
open for the next extension.
```

Preferred camera phrasing:

```text
Camera: medium-wide eye-level two-shot, slow push in, no cut, no sudden
reframe. [static] at the start, then a gentle [push in] as Subject 2 enters.
```

Preferred audio phrasing:

```text
ambient_sound: quiet interior room tone, distant refrigeration hum, soft street
noise outside
sound_effects: light footsteps, fabric rustle, door handle click
non_diegetic_music: N/A
```

## Avoid

- Re-describing the whole environment when `<Picture 1>` already establishes it
- Treating multiple references of one person as separate people
- Stacking several unrelated actions into one `10s` block
- Long monologues inside a movement-heavy shot
- Overcomplicated camera choreography
- Mixing environment authority between the master scene and character images

## Recommended workflow use

- Use `prompt-template.md` as the starting copy block.
- Use `custom/chris/minimax-h3-extender-working/prompt-set-specification.md`
  when building a full multi-shot extension plan.
- Use `optimized/notes/minimax-h3-ref2va-prompt-guidelines.md` when you need
  the longer rationale behind reference authority and local-safe constraints.