By name: download-video description: Download videos from social media URLs (X/Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) using yt-dlp. Use when saving a video locally, extracting content for transcription, or archiving video references. argument-hint: "[url]" allowed-tools: Bash(yt-dlp:), Bash(ls:), Bash(mkdir:*)
Video Download Skill
Download a video from $ARGUMENTS (a social media URL) to the current directory using yt-dlp.
Supports X/Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and 1400+ other sites.
Process
- Verify yt-dlp is installed - check with
which yt-dlp, suggestbrew install yt-dlpif missing - Download the video in the best available quality
- Report results with filename, format, and file size
Download Command
yt-dlp -o "%(title)s.%(ext)s" "URL"
Options Reference
# Best video+audio (default)
yt-dlp -o "%(title)s.%(ext)s" "URL"
# List available formats first
yt-dlp -F "URL"
# Pick a specific format
yt-dlp -f "FORMAT_ID" -o "%(title)s.%(ext)s" "URL"
# Audio only (e.g. for podcasts)
yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 -o "%(title)s.%(ext)s" "URL"
# Custom output directory
yt-dlp -o "/path/to/dir/%(title)s.%(ext)s" "URL"
Platform-Specific Notes
| Platform | Notes |
|---|---|
| X/Twitter | Works with tweet URLs containing video. May need --cookies-from-browser for age-restricted content |
| YouTube | Supports playlists, channels, shorts. Use -F to pick resolution |
| Reels and stories supported. May require authentication for private accounts | |
| TikTok | Direct video URLs work. Watermark-free when available |
| Handles v.redd.it links with audio merging automatically |
After Download
- Verify the file:
ls -lh *.mp4(or whatever extension was downloaded) - Report the filename, format, resolution, and file size to the user
- If the user wants subtitles or a transcript, suggest using
/transcribe-video