Agent setup: If your agent doesn't auto-load skills (e.g. Claude Code), see agent-compatibility.md once per session.

Qwen Text Chat (OpenAI-Compatible)#

Generate text, conduct conversations, write code, and invoke tools using Qwen models through the OpenAI-compatible API. This skill is part of qwencloud/qwencloud-ai.

Skill directory#

Use this skill's internal files to execute and learn. Load reference files on demand when the default path fails or you need details.

LocationPurposescripts/text.pyDefault execution — chat/completions request, streaming, output savereferences/execution-guide.mdFallback: curl, Python SDK, function calling, thinking modereferences/api-guide.mdAPI supplement and full code examplesreferences/prompt-guide.mdPrompt engineering: CO-STAR framework, CoT, few-shot, task stepsreferences/sources.mdOfficial documentation URLs (manual lookup only)references/agent-compatibility.mdAgent self-check: register skills in project config for agents that don't auto-load

Security#

NEVER output any API key or credential in plaintext. Always use variable references ( $DASHSCOPE_API_KEY in shell, os.environ["DASHSCOPE_API_KEY"] in Python). Any check or detection of credentials must be non-plaintext: report only status (e.g. "set" / "not set", "valid" / "invalid"), never the value. Never display contents of .env or config files that may contain secrets.

When the API key is not configured, NEVER ask the user to provide it directly. Instead, help create a .env file with a placeholder ( DASHSCOPE_API_KEY=sk-your-key-here) and instruct the user to replace it with their actual key from the QwenCloud Console. Only write the actual key value if the user explicitly requests it.

Key Compatibility#

Scripts require a standard QwenCloud API key ( sk-...). Coding Plan keys ( sk-sp-...) cannot be used for direct API calls — they are designed exclusively for interactive coding tools (Cursor, Claude Code, Qwen Code) and do not work on QwenCloud API endpoints. The script detects sk-sp- keys at startup and prints a warning. If qwencloud-ops-auth is installed, see its references/codingplan.md for details on key types, endpoint mapping, and error codes.

Model Selection#

ModelUse Caseqwen3.6-plusRecommended default — latest flagship, balanced performance/cost/speed, 1M context, thinking on by default, multimodal (text+image+video)qwen3.5-plusBalanced performance, cost, speed, 1M context, thinking on by defaultqwen3.5-flashFast, low-cost, 1M contextqwen3-maxStrongest capability, built-in tools (web search, code interpreter)qwen-plusGeneral purposeqwen-turboCheapest, low latencyqwen3-coder-nextRecommended code model — best balance of quality, speed, cost; agentic codingqwen3-coder-plusCode generation — highest quality for complex tasksqwen3-coder-flashCode generation — fast responses, lower costqwq-plusReasoning / chain-of-thoughtqwen-mt-plusMachine translation — best quality, 92 languagesqwen-mt-flashMachine translation — fast, low cost, 92 languagesqwen-mt-liteMachine translation — real-time chat, fastest, 31 languagesqwen-plus-character-jaRole-playing — recommended for Singaporeqwen-plus-characterRole-playing — character restoration, empathetic dialogqwen-flash-characterRole-playing — fast, lower cost

1. User specified a model → use directly.
2. Consult the qwencloud-model-selector skill when model choice depends on requirement, scenario, or pricing.
3. No signal, clear task → qwen3.6-plus (default).

Fallback: if model-selector is unavailable, the defaults in the table above apply.

⚠️ Important: The model list above is a point-in-time snapshot and may be outdated. Model availability changes frequently. Always check the official model list for the authoritative, up-to-date catalog before making model decisions.

Model details: For more information about a specific model, direct the user to its detail page: https://www.qwencloud.com/models/<model-name> (replace <model-name> with the exact model ID, e.g. qwen3.6-plus → https://www.qwencloud.com/models/qwen3.6-plus). NEVER modify or guess the model name in the URL.

Dynamic model queries: If the qwencloud-model-selector skill or QwenCloud CLI ( qwencloud models info <model>) is available, use it for real-time model data. CLI requires authentication — see the qwencloud-usage skill for login flow.

Execution#

Prerequisites#

• API Key: Check that DASHSCOPE_API_KEY (or QWEN_API_KEY) is set using a non-plaintext check only (e.g. in shell: [ -n "$DASHSCOPE_API_KEY" ]; report only "set" or "not set", never the key value). If not set: run the * qwencloud-ops-auth\* skill if available; otherwise guide the user to obtain a key from QwenCloud Console and set it via .env file ( echo 'DASHSCOPE_API_KEY=sk-your-key-here' >> .env in project root or current directory) or environment variable. The script searches for .env in the current working directory and the project root. Skills may be installed independently — do not assume qwencloud-ops-auth is present.
• Python 3.9+ (stdlib only, no pip install needed for script execution)

Environment Check#

Before first execution, verify Python is available:

bash

python3 --version  # must be 3.9+

If python3 is not found, try python --version or py -3 --version. If Python is unavailable or below 3.9, skip to * Path 2 (curl)\* in execution-guide.md.

Default: Run Script#

Script path: Scripts are in the scripts/ subdirectory of this skill's directory (the directory containing this SKILL.md). You MUST first locate this skill's installation directory, then ALWAYS use the full absolute path to execute scripts. Do NOT assume scripts are in the current working directory. Do NOT use cd to switch directories before execution.

Execution note: Run all scripts in the foreground — wait for stdout; do not background.

Discovery: Run python3 <this-skill-dir>/scripts/text.py --help first to see all available arguments.

bash

python3 <this-skill-dir>/scripts/text.py \
  --request '{"messages":[{"role":"user","content":"Hello!"}],"model":"qwen3.6-plus"}' \
  --output output/qwencloud-text/ --print-response

For streaming (recommended for interactive use):

bash

python3 <this-skill-dir>/scripts/text.py \
  --request '{"messages":[{"role":"user","content":"Write a poem about the sea"}],"model":"qwen3.6-plus"}' \
  --stream --print-response

ArgumentDescription--request '{...}'JSON request body--file path.jsonLoad request from file (alternative to --request)--streamEnable streaming output--output dir/Save response JSON to directory--print-responsePrint response to stdout--model IDOverride model (also settable in request JSON)

Verify Result#

• Exit code 0 + output contains valid JSON with choices field → success
• Non-zero exit, HTTP error, empty response, or JSON with "code"/ "message" error → fail
• If agent cannot read exit codes, scan output for error patterns ( Error, Traceback, 401, 403)
• Post-execution check: When --output is used, verify the response JSON file exists and contains choices
• MANDATORY — stderr signal check: After confirming the result, scan the command's stderr output for [ACTION_REQUIRED] or [UPDATE_AVAILABLE]. If either signal is present, you MUST follow the instructions in Update Check below before responding to the user.

On Failure#

If the script fails, match the error output against the diagnostic table below to determine the resolution. If no match, read execution-guide.md for alternative paths: curl commands (Path 2), Python SDK code generation (Path 3), and autonomous resolution (Path 5).

If Python is not available at all → skip directly to Path 2 (curl) in execution-guide.md.

Error PatternDiagnosisResolutioncommand not found: python3Python not on PATHTry python or py -3; install Python 3.9+ if missingPython 3.9+ requiredScript version check failedUpgrade Python to 3.9+SyntaxError near type hintsPython < 3.9Upgrade Python to 3.9+QWEN_API_KEY/DASHSCOPE_API_KEY not foundMissing API keyObtain key from QwenCloud Console; add to .env: echo 'DASHSCOPE_API_KEY=sk-...' >> .env; or run qwencloud-ops-auth if availableHTTP 401Invalid or mismatched keyRun qwencloud-ops-auth (non-plaintext check only); verify key is validSSL: CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILEDSSL cert issue (proxy/corporate)macOS: run Install Certificates.command; else set SSL_CERT_FILE env varURLError / ConnectionErrorNetwork unreachableCheck internet; set HTTPS_PROXY if behind proxyHTTP 429Rate limitedWait and retry with backoffHTTP 5xxServer errorRetry with backoffPermissionErrorCan't write outputUse --output to specify writable directory

Quick Reference#

Request Fields#

FieldTypeDescriptionprompt / messagesstring | arrayUser input or message listmodelstringModel ID (e.g. qwen3.6-plus)systemstringSystem prompt (optional)temperaturefloat0–2, controls randomnessmax_tokensintMax output tokenstoolsarrayFunction definitions for tool callingstreamboolEnable streaming (recommended for interactive use)enable_thinkingboolEnable thinking mode. Model defaults apply: qwen3.6-plus/ qwen3.5-plus/ qwen3.5-flash have thinking ON by default. Only set explicitly when user requests deep thinking or needs to disable for flash models. Adds latency for real-time tasks.

Response Fields#

FieldDescriptiontextGenerated text contentmodelModel usedusageToken usage (prompt_tokens, completion_tokens)tool_callsFunction call requests (if tools used)

Advanced Features#

These are API-level features supported through request parameters. All use the same chat/completions endpoint.

FeatureHow to EnableNotesStructured outputresponse_format: {"type": "json_schema", "json_schema": {...}}Force JSON output conforming to schemaWeb searchenable_search: trueReal-time web search augmented responsesDeep thinkingenable_thinking: trueExtended reasoning; only when user requests itFunction callingtools: [...]Define functions for tool useContext cacheAutomatic for repeated prefixes; or explicit session-basedReduces cost for repeated contextPartial modepartial_mode: "prefix"Continue/complete a prefixBatch inferenceAsync batch API with JSONL input50% cost discount

For detailed usage of each feature, see api-guide.md and sources.md.

Error Handling#

ErrorCauseAction401 UnauthorizedInvalid or missing API keyRun qwencloud-ops-auth if available; else prompt user to set key (non-plaintext check only)429 Too Many RequestsRate limit exceededRetry with backoff500 / 502 / 503Server errorRetry; check status pageInvalid modelModel ID not foundVerify model name against Model Selection tableInvalid parameterBad request bodyValidate JSON and field typesTypeError: ...proxiesopenai SDK vs httpx incompatibilitypip install --upgrade openai (>=1.55.0); or use script (pure stdlib)

Usage & billing: Use the qwencloud-usage skill to check usage, free tier quota, and billing directly. Alternatively, the user can visit the QwenCloud console: Usage Analytics | Pay-as-you-go Billing | Coding Plan Billing

NEVER fabricate, guess, or construct usage/billing/console URLs. Only provide the exact links listed in this skill. If a URL is not listed here, do not invent one.

Output Location#

Prefer the current working directory for all outputs. Default subdirectory when --output is used: ./output/qwencloud-text/.

Write prohibition: NEVER write output files into this skill's installation directory or any skills/ hierarchy. All generated content must go to output/ under the current working directory or a user-specified path.

Update Check (MANDATORY Post-Execution)#

After script execution, check stderr for action signals. The script automatically detects update status and emits structured signals. You MUST act on them. This section also applies when the user explicitly asks to check for updates.

Signal: [ACTION_REQUIRED] qwencloud-update-check skill is not installed#

When stderr contains this signal, you MUST present the following options to the user and wait for their response before proceeding. Do NOT silently skip this.

The update-check skill is not installed. It keeps you informed about new qwencloud/qwencloud-ai features and bug fixes.

1. Install now — I'll run the install command for you
2. Skip for now — do nothing this time
3. Never remind me — permanently suppress this prompt

After the user responds:

• User chooses 1 → run: npx skills add QwenCloud/qwencloud-ai --skill qwencloud-update-check -y, then run: python3 <this-skill-scripts-dir>/gossamer.py --dismiss
• User chooses 2 → run: python3 <this-skill-scripts-dir>/gossamer.py --dismiss, then continue normally
• User chooses 3 → run: python3 <this-skill-scripts-dir>/gossamer.py --never-install, then continue normally

Signal: [UPDATE_AVAILABLE]#

When stderr contains this signal, you MUST append a brief update notice to your response, including the version info and the update command shown in the stderr output.

No signal in stderr#

If stderr contains neither [ACTION_REQUIRED] nor [UPDATE_AVAILABLE], no action is needed — the skill is installed and up to date (or cached within 24h).

Explicit user request#

When the user explicitly asks to check for updates (e.g. "check for updates", "check version"):

1. Look for qwencloud-update-check/SKILL.md in sibling skill directories.
2. If found — run: python3 <qwencloud-update-check-dir>/scripts/check_update.py --print-response and report the result.
3. If not found — present the install options above.

References#

• execution-guide.md — Fallback paths (curl, SDK, autonomous), function calling, thinking mode
• api-guide.md — API supplementary guide with full code examples
• sources.md — Official documentation URLs