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youtube-watcher

Fetch YouTube video transcripts using youtube-transcript-api with yt-dlp fallback.

1|Updated Jan 30, 2026
Search Tags:#transcript#summarization#information retrieval#youtube#yt-dlp#video analysis
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/iliagerman/mordecai --skill youtube-watcher
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: youtube-watcher
Source: https://github.com/iliagerman/mordecai/tree/main/skills/shared/youtube-watcher
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/iliagerman/mordecai --skill youtube-watcher

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

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

What problem does it solve?

This Skill allows you to easily get the text transcripts from YouTube videos, enabling summarization, question answering, and information extraction without needing to watch the entire video.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Transcript Fetching: Retrieves transcripts using a hybrid approach (fast API fallback to yt-dlp).
  • Summarization: Enables summarization of video content by providing the transcript.
  • Question Answering: Allows you to ask questions about the video's content based on the transcript.
  • Information Extraction: Extracts specific data points or key information from video transcripts.

Quick Start

Use the youtube-watcher skill to get the transcript for the YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID.

Frequently Asked Questions about youtube-watcher

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I extract a transcript from a YouTube video for summarization?▼

You can extract specific data points from a YouTube video by having the Skill fetch the transcript via youtube-transcript-api or yt-dlp, then querying that text directly for targeted information extraction.

Can I ask questions about a YouTube video's content without watching it?▼

Yes, you can ask questions about a YouTube video's content without watching it by fetching the transcript first, which enables direct question answering based on the extracted text.

Do I need to manually install yt-dlp and youtube-transcript-api to fetch video transcripts?▼

No, you do not need to manually install yt-dlp and youtube-transcript-api to fetch video transcripts, as this Skill supports auto-installation of its dependencies along with progress updates.

What is the best way to get text from YouTube videos when the standard transcript API fails?▼

The best way to get text from YouTube videos when the standard API fails is using a hybrid approach, where the system automatically falls back to yt-dlp for robust video analysis and transcript retrieval.

Why does YouTube video transcript fetching sometimes fail or stop working?▼

YouTube video transcript fetching can fail or stop working due to missing captions or API restrictions, which is why this Skill includes detailed error handling and a yt-dlp fallback to mitigate retrieval issues.

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