yt-dlp-downloader
- Repo stars 183
- Author updated Live
- Author repo yt-dlp-downloader-skill
- Domain
- Data
- Compatible agents
-
- Claude Code
- Cursor
- Cline
- Codex
- Windsurf
- Gemini CLI
- +20
- Trust score
- 88 / 100 · community maintained
- Author / version / license
- @MapleShaw · no license declared
- Token usage
- Lean
- Setup complexity
- Guided setup
- External API key
- Not required
- Operating systems
- macOS
- Runtime requirements
- No special requirements
- Permissions
-
- Read-only
- Write / modify
- Shell exec
- Network behavior
- Local-only
- Install commands
- 26 variants
Profile is derived at build time from SKILL.md and install vectors. Subject to drift from author intent.
Heads up: 未限定 allowed-tools,默认拥有全部工具权限。
---
name: yt-dlp-downloader
description: Download videos from thousands of websites using yt-dlp. Before downloading, verify dependencies…
category: data
runtime: no special runtime
---
# yt-dlp-downloader output preview
## PART A: Task fit
- Use case: Download videos from thousands of websites using yt-dlp. Before downloading, verify dependencies are installed: which yt-dlp || echo "yt-dlp not installed. Install with: pip install yt-dlp" runs entirely locally. Works with Claude Code, Cursor, Cline and 23 more..
- Inputs: target material, constraints, expected output, and acceptance criteria.
- Evidence boundary: follow “Prerequisites / Quick Start / Basic Download (Best Quality)” and do not present inference as author intent.
## PART B: Execution result
- **01** The card summarizes the use case; runtime output centers on “Download videos from thousands of websites using yt-dlp. Before downloading, verify dependencies are installed: which yt-dlp || echo "yt-dlp not installed. Install with: pip install yt-dlp" runs entirely locally. Works with Claude Code, Cursor, Cline and 23 more.”.
- **02** When the source has headings, the agent prioritizes “Prerequisites / Quick Start / Basic Download (Best Quality)” so the result follows the author’s structure.
- **03** Typical output includes task judgment, concrete steps, required commands or file edits, validation, and follow-up options.
- **04** Risk context follows the fingerprint: read files, write/modify files, run shell commands; mostly runs locally; usually needs no extra API key.
## Running Rules
- read files, write/modify files, run shell commands; mostly runs locally; usually needs no extra API key.
- Validate with a small sample before expanding scope.
- Return the result, validation criteria, and next iteration options. The source does not require a stable slash command. After installation, invoke the skill by name and describe the task.
Name target files or source material, expected output, forbidden changes, and whether network or shell access is allowed. Permission fingerprint: read files, write/modify files, run shell commands.
Start with a small task and check whether the result follows “Prerequisites / Quick Start / Basic Download (Best Quality)”. Inspect diffs, logs, previews, or tests before expanding scope.
Confirm the final output includes a concrete result, evidence, and next action. If it stays generic, tighten inputs, boundaries, and acceptance criteria.
---
name: yt-dlp-downloader
description: Download videos from thousands of websites using yt-dlp. Before downloading, verify dependencies…
category: data
source: MapleShaw/yt-dlp-downloader-skill
---
# yt-dlp-downloader
## When to use
- Download videos from thousands of websites using yt-dlp. Before downloading, verify dependencies are installed: which…
- Use it when the task has clear inputs, repeatable steps, and validation criteria.
## What to provide
- Target material, scope, expected result, and forbidden changes.
- Whether network, commands, file writes, or external services are allowed.
## Execution rules
- Organize steps around “Prerequisites / Quick Start / Basic Download (Best Quality)” and keep inference separate from source facts.
- read files, write/modify files, run shell commands; mostly runs locally; usually needs no extra API key.
- Validate with a small sample before expanding the task.
## Output requirements
- Return the deliverable, key evidence, validation method, and next action.
- Mark missing information as unknown; do not invent commands, platforms, or dependencies. The author source anchors workflow facts; repository files anchor sources and commands; Fluxly only adds fit, limitations, and quality judgment.
skill "yt-dlp-downloader" {
input -> user goal + target files + boundaries + acceptance criteria
context -> Prerequisites / Quick Start / Basic Download (Best Quality)
rules -> SKILL.md triggers / order / output contract
runtime -> no special runtime | read files, write/modify files, run shell commands | mostly runs locally
guardrails -> usually needs no extra API key + small-sample validation + diff/log review
output -> copyable result + checklist + next iteration
} yt-dlp Video Downloader
Download videos from thousands of websites using yt-dlp.
Prerequisites
Before downloading, verify dependencies are installed:
# Check yt-dlp
which yt-dlp || echo "yt-dlp not installed. Install with: pip install yt-dlp"
# Check ffmpeg (required for audio extraction and format merging)
which ffmpeg || echo "ffmpeg not installed. Install with: brew install ffmpeg"
If not installed, install them first:
pip install yt-dlp
brew install ffmpeg # macOS
Quick Start
Basic Download (Best Quality)
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" "VIDEO_URL"
YouTube Download (Recommended - with cookies)
YouTube often blocks direct downloads with 403 errors. Always use browser cookies for YouTube:
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" --cookies-from-browser chrome "YOUTUBE_URL"
Supported browsers: chrome, firefox, safari, edge, brave, opera
Download with Custom Output Path
yt-dlp -P "/path/to/save" -o "%(title)s.%(ext)s" "VIDEO_URL"
Common Tasks
1. Download Video (Default - Best Quality)
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" "VIDEO_URL"
2. Extract Audio Only (MP3)
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -x --audio-format mp3 "VIDEO_URL"
3. Download with Subtitles
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" --write-subs --sub-langs all "VIDEO_URL"
4. Download Specific Quality
720p:
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -f "bestvideo[height<=720]+bestaudio/best[height<=720]" "VIDEO_URL"
1080p:
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -f "bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best[height<=1080]" "VIDEO_URL"
Best available:
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -f "bestvideo+bestaudio/best" "VIDEO_URL"
5. List Available Formats (Before Download)
yt-dlp -F "VIDEO_URL"
Then download specific format by ID:
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -f FORMAT_ID "VIDEO_URL"
6. Download Playlist
# Download entire playlist
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -o "%(playlist)s/%(playlist_index)s - %(title)s.%(ext)s" "PLAYLIST_URL"
# Download specific range (e.g., items 1-5)
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -I 1:5 "PLAYLIST_URL"
7. Download with Thumbnail
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" --write-thumbnail "VIDEO_URL"
Workflow
When user provides a video URL:
Identify the platform:
- YouTube/YouTube Music → Always use
--cookies-from-browser chrome - Other sites → Try without cookies first
- YouTube/YouTube Music → Always use
Ask what they want (if not specified):
- Just download the video?
- Extract audio only?
- Need subtitles?
- Specific quality?
Construct the command based on requirements
Execute the download using Shell tool with
required_permissions: ["all", "network"]Handle errors:
- 403 Forbidden → Retry with
--cookies-from-browser - Connection issues → yt-dlp auto-resumes, just retry
- Format unavailable → Use
-Fto list formats, then select
- 403 Forbidden → Retry with
Report the result - file location and any errors
Example Interaction
User: "帮我下载这个视频 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxx"
Response:
# YouTube - use cookies to avoid 403 errors
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" --cookies-from-browser chrome "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxx"
User: "下载这个视频的音频 https://www.bilibili.com/video/xxx"
Response:
# Bilibili - extracting audio as MP3
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -x --audio-format mp3 "https://www.bilibili.com/video/xxx"
User: "下载这个 Twitter 视频 https://twitter.com/xxx/status/123"
Response:
# Twitter/X - direct download usually works
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" "https://twitter.com/xxx/status/123"
Supported Sites
yt-dlp supports thousands of sites including:
- YouTube, YouTube Music
- Bilibili (B站)
- Twitter/X
- TikTok, Douyin (抖音)
- Vimeo
- Twitch
- And many more...
Full list: https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/blob/master/supportedsites.md
Troubleshooting
Common Errors and Solutions
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| HTTP 403 Forbidden | YouTube blocks unauthenticated requests | Use --cookies-from-browser chrome |
| Video unavailable | Geo-restricted or private | Use cookies or VPN |
| Download interrupted | Network issues | Retry - yt-dlp auto-resumes |
| Format not available | Requested format doesn't exist | Use -F to list formats |
Error: "yt-dlp: command not found"
pip install yt-dlp
Error: "ffmpeg not found" (for audio extraction)
brew install ffmpeg # macOS
Error: HTTP 403 Forbidden (YouTube)
This is the most common YouTube error. Always use cookies for YouTube:
# Recommended approach for YouTube
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" --cookies-from-browser chrome "YOUTUBE_URL"
Supported browsers: chrome, firefox, safari, edge, brave, opera
Error: Video unavailable or geo-restricted
# Try with cookies from browser
yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome "VIDEO_URL"
# Or use a specific format
yt-dlp -F "VIDEO_URL" # List formats first
yt-dlp -f FORMAT_ID "VIDEO_URL"
Error: Download keeps failing
# Update yt-dlp to latest version
pip install -U yt-dlp
# Force IPv4 (sometimes helps with connection issues)
yt-dlp -4 "VIDEO_URL"
Best Practices
- YouTube downloads: Always use
--cookies-from-browser chrome - Large files: yt-dlp auto-resumes, just retry if interrupted
- Keep yt-dlp updated:
pip install -U yt-dlp - Check formats first: Use
-Fbefore downloading if unsure
Decide Fit First
Design Intent
How To Use It
Boundaries And Review