sound-effects · elevenlabs — Claude Code skill: what it does, how to install

---
name: sound-effects
description: Generate sound effects from text descriptions using ElevenLabs. Use when creating sound effects, generating audio textures, producing ambient sounds, cinematic impacts, UI sounds, or any audio that isn't speech. Supports looping, duration control, and prompt influence tuning.
license: MIT
compatibility: Requires internet access and an ElevenLabs API key (ELEVENLABS_API_KEY).
metadata: {"openclaw": {"requires": {"env": ["ELEVENLABS_API_KEY"]}, "primaryEnv": "ELEVENLABS_API_KEY"}}
---

# ElevenLabs Sound Effects

Generate sound effects from text descriptions — supports looping, custom duration, and prompt adherence control.

> **Setup, before writing any code:** if `ELEVENLABS_API_KEY` isn't set for this project, run `npx -y @elevenlabs/cli@latest onboard init` from the app's folder first and follow what it prints: it signs the user in and stores a key for the project, so nobody copies one by hand. Otherwise see the [Installation Guide](references/installation.md). For JavaScript, use `@elevenlabs/*` packages only.

## Quick Start

### Python

```python
from elevenlabs import ElevenLabs

client = ElevenLabs()

audio = client.text_to_sound_effects.convert(
    text="Thunder rumbling in the distance with light rain",
)

with open("thunder.mp3", "wb") as f:
    for chunk in audio:
        f.write(chunk)
```

### JavaScript

```javascript
import { ElevenLabsClient } from "@elevenlabs/elevenlabs-js";
import { createWriteStream } from "fs";

const client = new ElevenLabsClient();
const audio = await client.textToSoundEffects.convert({
  text: "Thunder rumbling in the distance with light rain",
});
audio.pipe(createWriteStream("thunder.mp3"));
```

### CLI

```bash
elevenlabs text-to-sound-effects convert \
  --text "Thunder rumbling in the distance with light rain" \
  --output thunder.mp3
```

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
|-----------|------|---------|-------------|
| `text` | string (required) | — | Description of the desired sound effect |
| `model_id` | string | `eleven_text_to_sound_v2` | Model to use |
| `duration_seconds` | number \| null | null (auto) | Duration 0.5–30s; auto-calculated if null |
| `prompt_influence` | number \| null | 0.3 | How closely to follow the prompt (0–1) |
| `loop` | boolean | false | Generate a seamlessly looping sound (v2 model only) |

## Examples with Parameters

```python
# Looping ambient sound, 10 seconds
audio = client.text_to_sound_effects.convert(
    text="Gentle forest ambiance with birds chirping",
    duration_seconds=10.0,
    prompt_influence=0.5,
    loop=True,
)

# Short UI sound, high prompt adherence
audio = client.text_to_sound_effects.convert(
    text="Soft notification chime",
    duration_seconds=1.0,
    prompt_influence=0.8,
)
```

## Output Formats

Pass `--output-format` (CLI) or `output_format` as an SDK parameter:

| Format | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `mp3_44100_128` | MP3 44.1kHz 128kbps (default) |
| `pcm_44100` | Raw uncompressed CD quality |
| `opus_48000_128` | Opus 48kHz 128kbps — efficient compressed |
| `ulaw_8000` | μ-law 8kHz — telephony |

Full list: `mp3_22050_32`, `mp3_24000_48`, `mp3_44100_32`, `mp3_44100_64`, `mp3_44100_96`, `mp3_44100_128`, `mp3_44100_192`, `pcm_8000`, `pcm_16000`, `pcm_22050`, `pcm_24000`, `pcm_32000`, `pcm_44100`, `pcm_48000`, `wav_8000`, `wav_16000`, `wav_22050`, `wav_24000`, `wav_32000`, `wav_44100`, `wav_48000`, `ulaw_8000`, `alaw_8000`, `opus_48000_32`, `opus_48000_64`, `opus_48000_96`, `opus_48000_128`, `opus_48000_192`.

## Prompt Tips

- Be specific: "Heavy rain on a tin roof" > "Rain"
- Combine elements: "Footsteps on gravel with distant traffic"
- Specify style: "Cinematic braam, horror" or "8-bit retro jump sound"
- Mention mood/context: "Eerie wind howling through an abandoned building"

## Error Handling

```python
try:
    audio = client.text_to_sound_effects.convert(text="Explosion")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"API error: {e}")
```

Common errors:
- **401**: Invalid API key
- **422**: Invalid parameters (check duration range, prompt_influence range)
- **429**: Rate limit exceeded

## References

- [Installation Guide](references/installation.md)