yt-dlp CLI
yt-dlp is a media-download CLI that lists available formats and simulates a download before saving media files to disk.
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Extended access
Why this level
- The tool contacts external sites and writes media; supplied cookies can grant access to an authenticated session.
Install
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add cli/yt-dlpDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The tool contacts external sites and writes media; supplied cookies can grant access to an authenticated session.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
yt-dlp downloads audio and video from supported sources through a CLI. Users select formats, item sets and file-name templates, and can retain subtitles and metadata. Commands support repeatable handling of owned or otherwise permitted material. Post-processing uses external utilities for tracks and containers. Inspect available formats and simulate intended work before downloading a selected set. Site-specific behavior depends on current source implementation and user access.
Who it is for. Media editors saving permitted recordings, subtitles and metadata for subsequent processing.
Good fit when
- An author archives their own published recordings.
- An editor saves available subtitles and metadata for speech review.
- A permitted collection is downloaded with a consistent filename template.
- A user inspects formats and the collection’s contents before downloading.
Not a fit when
- Access terms or the rights holder prohibit saving the material.
- Every site must remain supported without updates.
- You need private content without authorized access.
Example request
Show formats and subtitles for my recording and propose download options without starting a transfer.Limitations
Site support can break after upstream changes; test a current yt-dlp release on one item before a large batch. Some operations require FFmpeg and additional components installed separately. When authentication is used, keep cookies and access material outside logs and repositories. Downloads can consume substantial disk space and bandwidth, so bound the selected items, format and destination and review permission to save the material beforehand.
How to disable. Stop the download and uninstall the tool through the method used to install it. Partial files, configuration and authentication data remain separate; remove unneeded material after the process ends.
FAQ
Can it save subtitles?
Yes, where the source provides them. `--list-subs` lists available subtitles, and `--write-subs` saves a subtitle file. Select the required language from the list first.
Why is FFmpeg needed?
For certain merging and media post-processing steps. Review workflow dependencies.
Does every supported site always work?
No. Site changes can break extraction. Update yt-dlp and retry one permitted item before returning to a large collection.
Can I control file names?
Set an output template with `-o`. It can use metadata fields such as title and uploader; see the syntax and examples under [output templates](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp#output-template).
Must I download immediately?
No. `--list-formats` shows available formats. Use `--simulate` for a dry run that downloads no video and writes nothing to disk.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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README in short
The post-processing section identifies track and container operations that need external utilities. Release binaries are selected by platform.