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youtube-transcript

Download YouTube transcripts and captions using yt-dlp.

4|1|Updated Oct 29, 2025
Search Tags:#transcript#subtitles#captions#youtube#yt-dlp#whisper
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/bacchus-labs/wrangler --skill youtube-transcript-bacchus-labs
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: youtube-transcript
Source: https://github.com/bacchus-labs/wrangler/tree/main/.wrangler/memory/knowledge-base/reference-prompts/skills/youtube-transcription
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/bacchus-labs/wrangler --skill youtube-transcript-bacchus-labs

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill automates the process of downloading transcripts, captions, or subtitles from YouTube videos, making video content accessible as text.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Transcript Download: Fetches available subtitles (manual or auto-generated) from YouTube URLs.
  • Fallback Transcription: Uses Whisper AI to transcribe audio if no subtitles are found.
  • Text Conversion: Converts downloaded subtitle files (VTT) into clean, plain text.
  • Use Case: You need the spoken content from a technical tutorial video on YouTube for research. This Skill can download the transcript directly, saving you the effort of manual note-taking or searching for existing captions.

Quick Start

Download the transcript for the YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exampleid.

Frequently Asked Questions about youtube-transcript

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I download YouTube transcripts and captions as plain text?▼

To download YouTube transcripts, provide the video URL to fetch available manual or auto-generated subtitles. The tool converts VTT subtitle files into clean plain text, saving you from manual note-taking.

Can I extract subtitles from a YouTube video if it has no captions?▼

Yes, you can extract subtitles even without existing captions by using the Whisper AI fallback transcription feature. This transcribes the video audio directly to provide the spoken content as text.

Do I need to manually install yt-dlp and Whisper to download subtitles?▼

No, you do not need to manually install yt-dlp or Whisper. The process supports automatic installation of these dependencies, handling the environment setup required to fetch subtitles and transcribe audio.

What's the best way to get plain text from VTT subtitle files?▼

The best way to get plain text from VTT files is using an automated text conversion process that strips subtitle formatting. This extracts clean spoken content for technical tutorials or research.

Why does YouTube transcript download fail for some videos?▼

YouTube transcript downloads fail when a video lacks both manual and auto-generated subtitles, and audio transcription via Whisper AI is not triggered or available to process the video content.

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