| # Getting started |
|
|
| This guide takes the shortest path from a clean install to one reviewed, |
| assembled video. |
|
|
| ## 1. Install the packs |
|
|
| From `ComfyUI/custom_nodes`: |
|
|
| ```bash |
| git clone https://github.com/seitanism/ComfyUI-H3-Motion-Context-MultiRef.git |
| git clone https://github.com/ethanfel/ComfyUI-MiniMaxH3-Contex-Loop.git |
| ``` |
|
|
| Restart ComfyUI. Use a current ComfyUI build with native **Add Guide for |
| MiniMax H3** support. `ffmpeg` is recommended for preview and assembly; PyAV is |
| the fallback where supported. |
|
|
| You also need your own MiniMax H3 diffusion model, text encoder, video VAE, and |
| audio VAE. They are not included in this repository. |
|
|
| ## 2. Open the smallest matching example |
|
|
| | Your starting material | Recommended first workflow | |
| |---|---| |
| | Text only | [T2V Normal](<../example_workflows/T2V Normal - MiniMax H3 0.6.json>) | |
| | One opening image | [I2V Normal](<../example_workflows/I2V Normal - MiniMax H3 0.6.json>) | |
| | First and last images | [FL2V Normal](<../example_workflows/FL2V Normal - MiniMax H3 0.6.json>) | |
| | Prompt-selected references | [Ref2V Tagged](<../example_workflows/Ref2V Tagged - MiniMax H3 0.6.json>) | |
| | Existing video | [Masked AV Extension — Single Clip](<../example_workflows/Masked AV Extension - Single Clip - MiniMax H3 0.6.json>) | |
|
|
| Open or drag the JSON into ComfyUI. Start with a **Normal** workflow. Studio is |
| an optional editorial interface, not a simpler sampler. |
|
|
| Some examples use bundled media. Copy those files from |
| [`example_workflows/assets/`](../example_workflows/assets/) to `ComfyUI/input/` |
| before opening the workflow. |
|
|
| ## 3. Resolve models and missing nodes |
|
|
| Set the four model loaders: |
|
|
| | Loader | Select | |
| |---|---| |
| | **Load Diffusion Model** | MiniMax H3 model | |
| | **Load CLIP** | H3 text encoder | |
| | **Load VAE — Video** | H3 video VAE | |
| | **Load VAE — Audio** | H3 audio VAE | |
|
|
| If ComfyUI reports a missing `MiniMaxH3MotionContext` node, install or update |
| the MultiRef companion pack and restart. If it reports missing native H3 nodes, |
| update ComfyUI. |
|
|
| Deferred-upscale examples need extra packs. Their requirements are listed in |
| the [workflow catalog](../example_workflows/README.md#deferred-upscale). |
|
|
| ## 4. Edit only the first-run controls |
|
|
| ### Plan |
|
|
| For a new graph, use **MiniMax H3 Plan (Modern)**. It keeps the established |
| vertical scene-column editor but groups its smaller control set into Project, |
| Canvas, Generation defaults, and Delivery. Its Generation Profile connection |
| is required, and it has no legacy context, audio, or continuation fallbacks. |
|
|
| The original **MiniMax H3 Context Loop Plan** remains unchanged so old workflows |
| open safely. After connecting Generation Profile, right-click it and choose |
| **Upgrade to Modern Plan…** to preserve its scenes, supported settings, |
| position, and links. |
|
|
| Set these values first: |
|
|
| | Control | First-run choice | |
| |---|---| |
| | `run_name` | A short unique name, for example `red_kite_test_01` | |
| | Width / height | Keep the example defaults | |
| | Scene Plan | Replace the sample scene prompts | |
| | Default duration | Keep the example default until the graph works | |
|
|
| `run_name` is the identity of the production. Reusing it exposes the same |
| checkpoint history; changing it starts a separate run. |
|
|
| Use the visual Scene Plan or Scene Prompt Editor for normal work. Raw Plan JSON |
| is an import/export and advanced-editing surface. |
|
|
| ### Continuity and audio |
|
|
| For a new graph, connect **Generation Profile** to Plan and begin with: |
|
|
| | Control | Recommended value | |
| |---|---| |
| | Scene continuity | **Visual continuity** | |
| | Audio profile | **Generate audio** | |
|
|
| Some shipped examples still contain the compatible **Manual Chain Policy |
| (Legacy)** node. Its saved Guide/generated defaults are safe for a first run; |
| you do not need to rebuild the workflow before testing it. |
|
|
| ### Review Gate |
|
|
| Keep `enabled = true`. Start with `candidate_count = 1`. Multiple candidates |
| are useful after the basic workflow is working. |
|
|
| ## 5. Understand the disabled nodes |
|
|
| Most generation examples include two grey or muted recovery nodes: |
|
|
| ```text |
| [MUTED] Load Manifest ──> [MUTED] Assemble — recovery |
| ``` |
|
|
| They are intentionally present but do not execute during generation. Leave |
| them muted for the first run. The active Assemble node connected to Loop End |
| handles normal final assembly. |
|
|
| A bypassed node is different: it forwards a compatible input without applying |
| its operation. Optional attention overrides in some upscale examples are |
| bypassed because they are not safe on every system. |
|
|
| See the [disabled-node legend](NODE_REFERENCE.md#how-disabled-nodes-are-shown) |
| for the notation used throughout these docs. |
|
|
| ## 6. Queue and review |
|
|
| Queue the workflow normally. |
|
|
| 1. **Preflight** validates timing, references, media, and resume compatibility |
| before the large models load. |
| 2. The loop renders and checkpoints one scene. |
| 3. **Review Gate** opens with synchronized video and audio. |
| 4. Choose an action: |
|
|
| | Action | Result | |
| |---|---| |
| | **Approve & continue** | Accept this take and render the next scene. | |
| | **Retry scene / seed / length** | Render the scene again from the same accepted predecessor. | |
| | **Reroll seed** | Give only this scene a new seed, then retry it. | |
| | **Approve & stop** | Accept this scene, optionally assemble a partial video, and stop cleanly. | |
|
|
| When `candidate_count` is greater than one, Review Gate displays saved takes in |
| a carousel. The selected take becomes the exact continuation for the next |
| scene; checked alternatives remain in checkpoint history. |
|
|
| After the final approval, Loop End emits a manifest and the active Assemble |
| node creates the final MP4. |
|
|
| ## 7. Find the result |
|
|
| One run is stored under: |
|
|
| ```text |
| ComfyUI/output/h3_chains/<run_name>/ |
| ├── checkpoints/ saved continuation state and revision data |
| ├── segments/ reviewed scene media |
| ├── final/ assembled MP4 and optional audio/subtitle sidecars |
| └── ... manifests, previews, and recovery metadata |
| ``` |
|
|
| Exact subfolders can grow as review branches, project assets, or upscale |
| profiles are added. Use **Run Manager** or **Checkpoint Manager** instead of |
| manually changing active revision files. |
|
|
| ## Assemble later without rendering |
|
|
| 1. Open the same workflow. |
| 2. Set Plan's `run_name` to the saved run. |
| 3. Unmute the recovery **Load Manifest** and **Assemble** nodes. |
| 4. Queue only the recovery Assemble node. |
|
|
| This reads the saved manifest and segments from disk. It does not execute the |
| sampler body. |
|
|
| ## Common first-run problems |
|
|
| | Symptom | What to check | |
| |---|---| |
| | Preflight says the run already contains incompatible work | Use a new `run_name`, or restore the original generation settings. | |
| | Queue pauses after one scene | Review Gate is waiting for a decision. | |
| | Opening image appears in every scene | Keep **Frame Gate** active; do not bypass it. | |
| | No final MP4 appears | Approve the final scene and confirm the active Assemble node is enabled. | |
| | Recovery nodes render unexpectedly | Mute the recovery Load Manifest and Assemble pair. | |
| | Audio or preview tools fail | Install `ffmpeg`, or confirm ComfyUI's PyAV installation works. | |
| | A source-audio profile fails preflight | Connect a Source Timeline containing enough audio for the plan. | |
|
|
| For deeper diagnosis, use [Compatibility](COMPATIBILITY.md), [Audio and |
| continuity](AUDIO_AND_CONTINUITY.md), or [Runs and recovery](RUNS_AND_RECOVERY.md). |
|
|
