Yt Dlp Downloader

Community

MapleShaw

yt-dlp-downloader

Download videos from YouTube, Bilibili, Twitter, and thousands of other sites using yt-dlp. Use when the user provides a video URL and wants to download it, extract audio (MP3), download subtitles, or select video quality. Triggers on phrases like "下载视频", "download video", "yt-dlp", "YouTube", "B站", "抖音", "提取音频", "extract audio".

Overview

Publisher	MapleShaw
Repository	`yt-dlp-downloader-skill`
Skill name	`yt-dlp-downloader`
Stars	211
Forks	30
Bundled files	2
Links	Skill source Repository

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
2 bundled files
Scripts, templates, and references the model can read while it works. Files are read-only and never executed.
Open source
Published by MapleShaw on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Yt Dlp Downloader AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
https://github.com/MapleShaw/yt-dlp-downloader-skill/tree/master
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/MapleShaw/yt-dlp-downloader-skill.git \
  .claude/skills/yt-dlp-downloader

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Yt Dlp Downloader in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Yt Dlp Downloader on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Yt Dlp Downloader is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

yt-dlp Video Downloader

Download videos from thousands of websites using yt-dlp.

Prerequisites

Before downloading, verify dependencies are installed:

bash
# 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:

bash
pip install yt-dlp
brew install ffmpeg  # macOS

Quick Start

Basic Download (Best Quality)

bash
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:

bash
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

bash
yt-dlp -P "/path/to/save" -o "%(title)s.%(ext)s" "VIDEO_URL"

Common Tasks

1. Download Video (Default - Best Quality)

bash
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" "VIDEO_URL"

2. Extract Audio Only (MP3)

bash
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -x --audio-format mp3 "VIDEO_URL"

3. Download with Subtitles

bash
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" --write-subs --sub-langs all "VIDEO_URL"

4. Download Specific Quality

720p:

bash
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -f "bestvideo[height<=720]+bestaudio/best[height<=720]" "VIDEO_URL"

1080p:

bash
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -f "bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best[height<=1080]" "VIDEO_URL"

Best available:

bash
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -f "bestvideo+bestaudio/best" "VIDEO_URL"

5. List Available Formats (Before Download)

bash
yt-dlp -F "VIDEO_URL"

Then download specific format by ID:

bash
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -f FORMAT_ID "VIDEO_URL"

6. Download Playlist

bash
# 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

bash
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
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 -F to list formats, then select
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:

bash
# 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:

bash
# 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:

bash
# 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"

bash
pip install yt-dlp

Error: "ffmpeg not found" (for audio extraction)

bash
brew install ffmpeg  # macOS

Error: HTTP 403 Forbidden (YouTube)

This is the most common YouTube error. Always use cookies for YouTube:

bash
# 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

bash
# 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

bash
# 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 -F before downloading if unsure

Bundled files

The model reads these on demand while the skill is loaded. They are exposed as readable files and are never executed.

README_CN.md2 KB
scripts/download.sh3 KB

Frequently asked questions

What does the Yt Dlp Downloader AI skill do?

Why use Yt Dlp Downloader on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Yt Dlp Downloader is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Yt Dlp Downloader in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/MapleShaw/yt-dlp-downloader-skill/tree/master. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and bundles its files and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Yt Dlp Downloader?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Yt Dlp Downloader?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Yt Dlp Downloader with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Yt Dlp Downloader AI skill free?

It is published on GitHub by MapleShaw. Check the repository for licensing terms. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

yt-dlp Video Downloader

Prerequisites

Quick Start

Basic Download (Best Quality)

YouTube Download (Recommended - with cookies)

Download with Custom Output Path

Common Tasks

1. Download Video (Default - Best Quality)

2. Extract Audio Only (MP3)

3. Download with Subtitles

4. Download Specific Quality

5. List Available Formats (Before Download)

6. Download Playlist

7. Download with Thumbnail

Workflow

Example Interaction

Supported Sites

Troubleshooting

Common Errors and Solutions

Error: "yt-dlp: command not found"

Error: "ffmpeg not found" (for audio extraction)

Error: HTTP 403 Forbidden (YouTube)

Error: Video unavailable or geo-restricted

Error: Download keeps failing

Best Practices

Bundled files

Frequently asked questions

Related AI Skills

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