youtube-tools

Download YouTube videos, extract transcripts, and retrieve metadata using yt-dlp.

11|4|Updated Jan 20, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Casper-Studios/casper-marketplace --skill youtube-tools
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: youtube-tools
Source: https://github.com/Casper-Studios/casper-marketplace/tree/main/casper/skills/youtube-tools
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Casper-Studios/casper-marketplace --skill youtube-tools

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires yt-dlp, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This skill provides a completely free, local solution for YouTube video operations, eliminating the need for paid API services like Apify. It solves the problem of needing to download videos, extract transcripts, or retrieve metadata without incurring costs or requiring API keys.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Video Downloading: Download single videos, entire playlists, or convert videos to audio-only (MP3).
  • Transcript Extraction: Retrieve auto-generated captions or manually uploaded subtitles in various languages.
  • Metadata Retrieval: Fetch comprehensive video information such as title, description, duration, view count, and upload date.
  • Use Case: For a research project, you can download a YouTube playlist of lectures, extract all their transcripts for text analysis, and gather metadata for citation, all without any cost.

Quick Start

Download the YouTube video at 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID' to your local storage.

Frequently Asked Questions about youtube-tools

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I download a YouTube playlist and extract transcripts without using a paid API?

You can download YouTube playlists and extract transcripts locally without a paid API by using yt-dlp. It supports bulk video downloading and retrieving subtitles directly to your storage without API keys.

Can I extract YouTube video transcripts and metadata for content analysis locally?

Yes, you can extract YouTube transcripts and metadata locally for content analysis. The tool fetches auto-generated captions, subtitles, and comprehensive video information like view counts without requiring external services.

Does yt-dlp support downloading audio-only MP3 files from YouTube videos?

Yes, yt-dlp supports downloading audio-only MP3 files from YouTube videos. You can convert single videos or entire playlists into audio tracks for local archiving without needing separate conversion software.

What is the best free way to retrieve YouTube video metadata like view count and upload date?

The best free way to retrieve YouTube metadata is using yt-dlp. It fetches comprehensive video information including titles, descriptions, durations, view counts, and upload dates locally without incurring API service costs.

Do I need an Apify API key to download YouTube videos and subtitles?

No, you do not need an Apify API key to download YouTube videos and subtitles. This local solution utilizes yt-dlp for completely free operations, eliminating the need for paid API services or authentication keys.

What languages are supported when extracting YouTube transcripts for text analysis?

YouTube transcript extraction supports various languages by retrieving both auto-generated captions and manually uploaded subtitles. This allows accurate text analysis across multilingual video content without additional configuration.