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mpbshhx

YouTube Transcript (yt-dlp)

by mpbshhx · GitHub ↗ · v1.1.0 · MIT-0
linuxdarwinwin32 ✓ Security Clean
160
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1
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Install in OpenClaw
/install yt-transcript-yt-dlp
Description
Extract YouTube video transcripts from existing captions (manual or auto-generated) using yt-dlp, with optional timestamps and local SQLite caching. Use when...
Usage Guidance
This skill appears to do what it claims: it runs a bundled Python script that calls yt-dlp to fetch captions, parses VTT, and caches results locally. Before installing: (1) ensure you trust the yt-dlp binary on your system, (2) be aware the script writes a SQLite cache under the skill directory (or a custom path you provide), (3) if you need age-restricted content you must supply YouTube cookies — treat those cookie files (or YT_TRANSCRIPT_COOKIES env var) as sensitive and store them securely, and note that the registry metadata did not declare this optional env/config usage, (4) inspect the bundled script if you want to confirm it meets your privacy/security expectations. Overall coherent and proportionate for its purpose.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill Name: yt-transcript-yt-dlp Version: 1.1.0 The skill is a well-implemented YouTube transcript extractor that uses yt-dlp with a fallback to YouTube's internal 'youtubei' API. It demonstrates good security practices, including input validation via regular expressions, safe subprocess execution (using argument lists rather than shell strings), and strict path allowlisting for cache and cookie files in scripts/yt_transcript.py. While the script contains unused 'dead code' for third-party transcript services (e.g., downsub.com, noteey.com), these functions are not reachable in the main execution flow and do not perform any malicious actions.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
Name/description match what the included script and instructions do: use yt-dlp + python to download existing captions, parse VTT, and cache results in SQLite. Declared required binaries (python3, yt-dlp) are appropriate and necessary.
Instruction Scope
SKILL.md instructs the agent/user to run the bundled Python script, use a local SQLite cache under the skill baseDir, and optionally provide a Netscape-format cookies.txt. It also references an environment variable (YT_TRANSCRIPT_COOKIES) and a config path (~/.config/yt-transcript/) for cookies; these are operationally reasonable but the env/config usage is not declared in the registry metadata.
Install Mechanism
No install spec (instruction-only with a bundled script). This is low-risk; nothing in the manifest downloads arbitrary external code. The script runs yt-dlp as a subprocess, which is expected for this task.
Credentials
The skill does not require credentials in the registry metadata. However SKILL.md (and likely the script) optionally reads a cookies file and refers to YT_TRANSCRIPT_COOKIES. Cookies can contain sensitive session data and grant access to age-restricted or member-only content — treat them as secrets. The registry should have declared this optional env/config usage for transparency.
Persistence & Privilege
Skill is not always-enabled and is user-invocable. It writes a cache database under the skill baseDir (or user-specified path) which is appropriate for its functionality and not excessive privilege.
How to Use
  1. Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
  2. Run the install command in chat: /install yt-transcript-yt-dlp
  3. After installation, invoke the skill by name or use /yt-transcript-yt-dlp
  4. Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v1.1.0
Extract YouTube transcripts via yt-dlp with timestamps and SQLite caching
Metadata
Slug yt-transcript-yt-dlp
Version 1.1.0
License MIT-0
All-time Installs 0
Active Installs 0
Total Versions 1
Frequently Asked Questions

What is YouTube Transcript (yt-dlp)?

Extract YouTube video transcripts from existing captions (manual or auto-generated) using yt-dlp, with optional timestamps and local SQLite caching. Use when... It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 160 downloads so far.

How do I install YouTube Transcript (yt-dlp)?

Run "/install yt-transcript-yt-dlp" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.

Is YouTube Transcript (yt-dlp) free?

Yes, YouTube Transcript (yt-dlp) is completely free, licensed under MIT-0. You can download, install and use it at no cost.

Which platforms does YouTube Transcript (yt-dlp) support?

YouTube Transcript (yt-dlp) is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (linux, darwin, win32).

Who created YouTube Transcript (yt-dlp)?

It is built and maintained by mpbshhx (@mpbshhx); the current version is v1.1.0.

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