# Recover deleted YouTube videos

> Searches multiple online archives to find and recover deleted YouTube videos, metadata, and comments using a video ID.

- Skill: `johnalbertini14-glitch/recover-deleted-youtube-videos` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add johnalbertini14-glitch/recover-deleted-youtube-videos`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/johnalbertini14-glitch/recover-deleted-youtube-videos/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: johnalbertini14-glitch (https://skillmd.com/u/johnalbertini14-glitch)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/johnalbertini14-glitch/recover-deleted-youtube-videos

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# YouTube Video Finder Instructions

Use this skill whenever a user asks to find, recover, or check the archive status of a deleted, missing, or private YouTube video. 

## Execution Steps:
1. **Extract the Video ID:** Isolate the 11-character ID from the URL or text provided by the user (e.g., for `youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ`, the ID is `dQw4w9WgXcQ`). Pass *only* this ID into the `videoid` parameter.
2. **Parameters:** Omit the `includeRaw` and `stream` parameters unless the user specifically asks for raw metadata or debugging data. 

## Interpreting the Response:
* **Initial Check:** Look at the `status` field. If it returns `bad.id`, stop and inform the user that the 11-character ID is invalid.
* **The Verdict:** Check the `verdict` object. Read the `human_friendly` string to immediately understand the overall result. Pay attention to the boolean flags `video`, `metaonly`, and `comments` to know exactly what was recovered.
* **Finding the Links:** Iterate through the `keys` array (which contains service objects like GhostArchive or Wayback Machine). 
    * If a service object has `archived: true`, look inside its `available` list.
    * Extract the `url` from the Link Objects to give to the user.
    * Take note of `maybe_paywalled` (boolean) or `note` (string) for context on how to access the link.

## Output Formatting:
Present your findings in a clear, friendly, and structured manner. 
* If the video is fully found, provide the direct links immediately. 
* If only metadata or comments were archived, clarify that the actual video file could not be recovered. 
* Mention which service(s) successfully held the archive.