- name
- yt-dlp-download-skill
- description
- yt-dlp-powered downloader for YouTube, Bilibili, X (Twitter), TikTok/Douyin, and more. Given a video URL, download video (720p/1080p/best), extract MP3/audio-only, fetch subtitles (specify languages), and optionally download playlists; auto-merges audio/video.
- metadata
- openclaw
- emoji
- ⬇️
- os
- ["darwin", "linux", "win32"]
- requires
- bins
- ["yt-dlp"]
- anyBins
- ["ffmpeg"]
- install
- kind
- uv
- package
- yt-dlp
- bins
- ["yt-dlp"]
- label
- Install yt-dlp (uv/pipx)
- kind
- brew
- formula
- ffmpeg
- bins
- ["ffmpeg"]
- os
- ["darwin"]
- label
- Install ffmpeg (brew)
yt-dlp Video Downloader (OpenClaw)
Use yt-dlp to download videos from thousands of sites.
When to use
- User shares a video URL and asks to download
- User requests audio-only (MP3) extraction
- User needs subtitles or specific quality
Safety
- Never execute arbitrary shell built from untrusted text; always validate URL scheme (http/https only)
- Prefer the default download path under the user Downloads directory unless a safe path is explicitly provided
Quick checks
- Ensure
yt-dlpexists on PATH; if missing, use installer metadata to guide installation - For MP3 extraction,
ffmpegis recommended; proceed with a warning if unavailable
Common commands
- Best available quality
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" "VIDEO_URL"- YouTube with cookies (avoid 403)
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" --cookies-from-browser chrome "YOUTUBE_URL"- Extract audio (MP3)
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -x --audio-format mp3 "VIDEO_URL"- With subtitles (all languages)
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" --write-subs --sub-langs all "VIDEO_URL"- Specific quality (720p / 1080p)
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -f "bestvideo[height<=720]+bestaudio/best[height<=720]" "VIDEO_URL"yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -f "bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best[height<=1080]" "VIDEO_URL"- List formats, then pick one
yt-dlp -F "VIDEO_URL"
yt-dlp -P "~/Downloads/yt-dlp" -f FORMAT_ID "VIDEO_URL"Workflow
- Detect platform (YouTube often needs
--cookies-from-browser chrome) - Ask for intent if unclear (video vs audio, subs, quality, output directory)
- Build a safe command (http/https URL, sanitize output path)
- Execute using the system exec tool
- Report saved path and any errors; suggest
-Fon format errors
Troubleshooting
- 403 on YouTube → add
--cookies-from-browser chrome - Missing ffmpeg for audio → warn and suggest installing ffmpeg
- Interrupted downloads → yt-dlp auto-resumes on retry