youtube-workflow

name: youtube-workflow description: Create YouTube video content for {{CHANNEL_HANDLE}} channel including scripts, ideas, descriptions, and manage publishing workflow. Use when user mentions YouTube, video scripts, video ideas, or content creation for the channel.

YouTube Workflow Skill

Complete content creation and publishing workflow for the {{CHANNEL_HANDLE}} YouTube channel.

CRITICAL: Agent Spawning Requirement

You MUST use the Task tool to spawn specialized agents. Do NOT handle this workflow directly.

Agent Routing

How to Execute

For idea or full:

Task tool:
  subagent_type: "youtube-creator"
  prompt: "[idea/full] Create [content type] about [topic]. Follow youtube-creator agent instructions."

For publish:

Task tool:
  subagent_type: "youtube-publisher"
  prompt: "Publish video about [topic]. Verify upload, move files, create social-content.json, update index."

Parallel Execution for Multiple Ideas

When user provides multiple video ideas, spawn multiple @youtube-creator agents in parallel:

Example: User wants 3 video ideas captured

Task 1: subagent_type: "youtube-creator" → Idea 1
Task 2: subagent_type: "youtube-creator" → Idea 2
Task 3: subagent_type: "youtube-creator" → Idea 3

All three run concurrently for faster completion.

When to use parallel agents:

• Multiple video ideas in one request
• Time-sensitive content needing quick turnaround

When sequential is required:

• /youtube full followed by /youtube publish (depends on creation completing)
• Single video workflow

Voice & Brand Integration

CRITICAL: All content MUST follow your channel's writing style and brand principles.

Voice Reference

Read writing-style.md before generating any content:

• Direct, friendly, honest, solution-focused
• Short sentences (5-15 words ideal)
• Start with action, use questions to engage
• Phrases: "Here's the thing...", "Let me show you.", "No fluff. Just what works."
• Strategic emoji usage (not spam)
• Correct grammar always

Brand Reference

Read 03-YouTube/channel-overview.md for core principles:

• Complete data ownership
• Zero-trust security
• Independence over convenience
• Practitioner credibility ("I use this for my clients")

Content Creation Methodology

6-Step Script Process

Step 1: Structured Outline Create roadmap with main sections and estimated timestamps.

Step 2: Attention-Grabbing Hook (0:00-0:30) First 30 seconds must capture attention using:

• Pattern interrupt: Challenge common assumption
• Question hook: Ask something they've wondered
• Result preview: Show the end result first
• Story opening: Brief relatable scenario

Step 3: Scene-by-Scene Narration Write full script following outline. Include:

• Clear section transitions
• Practical examples and demonstrations
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Pro tips throughout

Step 4: Visual Cues Embed [Visual: description] cues throughout for B-roll guidance:

[Visual: Screen recording of terminal]
[Visual: Diagram showing data flow]
[Visual: Close-up of config file]

Step 5: Call-to-Action & Outro End with:

• Recap of key takeaways (3 max)
• Clear CTA (subscribe, comment, like)
• Tease next video or related content

Step 6: Metadata Package Generate: description, hashtags, thumbnail text.

Pacing Guidelines

~150 words = 1 minute of video

Featured Video Reference

CRITICAL: When video topic relates to self-hosting, ALWAYS reference your featured video.

Video: {{FEATURED_VIDEO_URL}} Title: {{FEATURED_VIDEO_TITLE}}

Topics that require this reference:

• Self-hosting (explicit)
• Docker, containers, Kubernetes
• Home lab, homelab
• Server setup, VPS
• Pangolin, Authentik, CrowdSec
• Reverse proxy, SSL, tunnels
• Data ownership, privacy
• Infrastructure (self-hosted context)

Where to include:

• Description.md: In "Related videos" section
• Pinned-comment.md: At end with "New to self-hosting?" line

Topic Research (For Tool/Application Videos)

CRITICAL: When creating content about a specific tool, application, or project, ALWAYS research and include official resources.

When to Research

Research is REQUIRED when video topic includes:

• Named software tools (Docker, Kubernetes, Restic, Authentik, etc.)
• Named applications (Nextcloud, Immich, Jellyfin, etc.)
• Named services (Cloudflare, Tailscale, etc.)
• Named libraries or frameworks

Research is NOT required for:

• General concepts (CI/CD explained, backup strategies, etc.)
• Built-in features (Linux commands, bash scripting, etc.)
• Opinion/comparison videos without single tool focus
• News/update videos

Research Outputs

For each tool/application, find and include:

Acknowledgment Guidelines

For open-source projects, include genuine acknowledgment:

• Name the developers/team specifically
• Mention the specific benefit their work provides
• Keep it authentic (your voice, not corporate)

Good: "A huge thank you to the Authentik team for creating and maintaining Authentik as an open-source project. Their work makes enterprise-grade authentication accessible to everyone."

Bad: "Thanks to the developers for this software." (too generic)

Thumbnail Text Requirements

Every script includes thumbnail text:

BOLD TEXT: 3-5 words (main attention grabber)

• Use caps for emphasis
• Create curiosity or promise result
• Examples: "STOP PAYING FOR THIS", "THE HIDDEN DANGER", "10X FASTER"

Description: 13-18 words

• Expand on the bold text
• Include specific benefit or outcome
• Examples: "Learn the exact backup strategy I use to protect my clients' servers from data loss forever"

File Organization

Ideas

Location: 03-YouTube/ideas/ Naming: YYYY-MM-DD-topic-slug.md Tags: #status/idea #platform/youtube

Drafts (Active Production)

Location: 03-YouTube/drafts/YYYY-MM-DD-topic-slug/ Contents:

• script.md - Full video script
• description.md - YouTube description
• thumbnail-text.md - Bold + description text
• pinned-comment.md - Pinned comment for engagement Tags: #status/draft #platform/youtube

Published

Location: 03-YouTube/published/YYYY/topic-slug/ Contents:

• video.md - YouTube metadata (ID, URL, duration, date)
• script.md - Final script
• description.md - Final description
• thumbnail-text.md - Thumbnail text used
• pinned-comment.md - Pinned comment used
• social-content.json - Structured data for social posts Tags: #status/published #platform/youtube

Templates

For detailed structures, see:

• [[SCRIPT_TEMPLATE]] - Full script structure
• [[IDEA_TEMPLATE]] - Quick idea capture
• [[DESCRIPTION_TEMPLATE]] - SEO-optimized description
• [[PINNED_COMMENT_TEMPLATE]] - Engagement comment

Standard Links (ALWAYS Include)

Connect:

• Discord (questions, help): {{DISCORD_URL}}
• Business inquiries: {{BUSINESS_URL}}

Follow:

• LinkedIn: {{LINKEDIN_URL}}
• Facebook: {{FACEBOOK_URL}}
• Twitter: {{TWITTER_URL}}

Reviews: {{REVIEWS_URL}}

These links go in:

1. Description.md - Full links block
2. Pinned-comment.md - Abbreviated version

Quality Checklist

Before completing any content:

• Sounds like your channel voice, not AI
• Hook grabs attention in first 10 seconds
• Clear structure with logical flow
• Practical examples included
• [Visual:] cues embedded
• CTA present
• Grammar and spelling correct
• Thumbnail text: 3-5 bold words + 13-18 word description
• Pinned comment created with engagement hook
• Standard links included in description and pinned comment
• Featured video referenced (if applicable)
• Topic research completed (for tool/app videos)
• Official links included (website, docs, GitHub)
• Open-source acknowledgment (for open-source projects)
• Support options included (sponsorship, SaaS - when available)
• Proper file location and naming
• Correct tags applied