name: youtube-link-download description: Download videos, audio, or subtitles from YouTube links or playlists using yt-dlp. Use for single links, playlists, batch jobs, and metadata/subtitle extraction workflows. license: Proprietary. LICENSE.txt has complete terms

YouTube Link Download

Overview

Provide a reliable, repeatable workflow for downloading YouTube content from URLs using yt-dlp, with safe defaults and clear output expectations.

When to Use

• •The user provides one or more YouTube links and wants video or audio files
• •The user requests subtitles, metadata, thumbnails, or playlist downloads
• •The user needs batch downloads with consistent naming

Required Inputs

• •Source URL(s): single video or playlist
• •Desired output: video, audio-only, subtitles, or metadata
• •Output folder and naming preference
• •Quality preference: best, balanced, or smallest

Workflow Checklist

[ ] Step 1: Confirm URL

• • Validate URL format and accessibility
• • Determine content type (single/playlist/channel)
• • Assess regional availability
• •📖 Read detailed guidance

[ ] Step 2: Choose Output Type

• • Select video, audio-only, subtitles, or metadata
• • Choose appropriate format (MP4, MP3, SRT, etc.)
• • Consider storage and compatibility requirements
• •📖 Read detailed guidance

[ ] Step 3: Select Quality Profile

• • Choose best/balanced/smallest quality
• • Consider download time vs quality trade-offs
• • Set resolution and codec preferences
• •📖 Read detailed guidance

[ ] Step 4: Apply Naming Rules

• • Configure output folder location
• • Set filename template and sanitization
• • Handle playlist organization if applicable
• •📖 Read detailed guidance

[ ] Step 5: Run Download

• • Execute yt-dlp with configured options
• • Monitor progress and handle interruptions
• • Generate download summary report
• •📖 Read detailed guidance

[ ] Step 6: Verify Files

• • Check file presence and integrity
• • Validate format and basic playback
• • Review verification report
• •📖 Read detailed guidance

Rules and Guidelines

Safety & Compliance

• • Review legal and ethical considerations
• • Ensure compliance with platform policies
• • Respect copyright and access restrictions
• •📖 Read safety rules

Error Handling

• • Understand common error types
• • Review retry and fallback strategies
• • Know how errors are reported
• •📖 Read error handling rules

Templates and Examples

Output Report Template

• • Use for consistent download reporting
• •📖 View template

Download Examples

• • Review usage examples and command patterns
• •📖 View examples

References

• •Read references/yt-dlp-options.md for option guidance and format selection
• •Read references/filename-templates.md for naming conventions