tools-only /youtube-analyze
Analyse YouTube videos by fetching transcripts and generating structured summaries with key takeaways, timestamps, and knowledge extraction. Creates a reference note capturing the video's core value.
When to Use This Skill
- Extracting key insights from conference talks or webinars
- Creating structured notes from technical tutorials
- Summarising long-form video content for quick reference
- Building a library of video-sourced knowledge
- Capturing frameworks and methodologies presented in talks
Usage
/youtube-analyze <youtube-url> [--depth quick|standard|deep] [--focus concepts|frameworks|actions]
Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
url |
YouTube video URL | Yes |
--depth |
Analysis depth (default: standard) |
No |
--focus |
What to emphasise in extraction (default: all) | No |
Instructions
Phase 1: Fetch Video Information
- Get video metadata — Use MCP YouTube tools if available, or WebFetch:
- Title, channel, duration, publish date, description
- View count and like count (if available)
- Get transcript — Fetch the full transcript with timestamps
- If MCP YouTube tools are available, use
get_timed_transcript - Otherwise, use WebFetch or alternative transcript sources
- If MCP YouTube tools are available, use
- Assess content — Determine the video type:
- Conference talk, tutorial, interview, panel, demo, review
Phase 2: Analyse Content
Process the transcript to extract:
- Key topics — Main subjects discussed (with timestamps)
- Core arguments — The presenter's main points and thesis
- Frameworks and models — Any structured frameworks introduced
- Concepts defined — New terms or concepts explained
- Tools and technologies — Specific tools mentioned
- Actionable takeaways — Practical advice the viewer can act on
- Quotes — Notable quotations worth preserving
- References — Books, papers, tools, or resources mentioned
Phase 3: Generate Reference Note
Create a structured reference note with the analysis.
Output Format
---
type: Reference
title: "Reference - <Video Title>"
referenceType: youtube
created: YYYY-MM-DD
url: "<youtube-url>"
channel: "<Channel Name>"
duration: "<HH:MM:SS>"
publishDate: YYYY-MM-DD
tags: [content/youtube, domain/relevant-tag]
summary: "<One-line summary>"
---
# <Video Title>
> **Channel:** <Channel Name> | **Duration:** <HH:MM:SS> | **Published:** YYYY-MM-DD
> **URL:** <youtube-url>
## Summary
<2-3 paragraph summary of the video's core message and value>
## Key Takeaways
1. **<Takeaway 1>** — <Brief explanation>
2. **<Takeaway 2>** — <Brief explanation>
3. **<Takeaway 3>** — <Brief explanation>
## Timestamped Topics
| Timestamp | Topic | Key Point |
|-----------|--------------------------------|------------------------------|
| 00:00 | Introduction | <What's covered> |
| 05:30 | <Topic> | <Key point> |
| 15:45 | <Topic> | <Key point> |
## Concepts and Frameworks
### <Framework/Concept Name>
<Description of the framework or concept as explained in the video>
## Notable Quotes
> "<Quote>" — <Speaker> (timestamp)
## Tools and Resources Mentioned
- **<Tool/Resource>** — <Brief description and context>
## Actionable Items
- [ ] <Action the viewer can take>
- [ ] <Action the viewer can take>
## Related Notes
- [[<Related concept or note>]]
Examples
Example 1: Conference Talk
/youtube-analyze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123 --depth deep
Deep analysis of a conference talk, extracting all frameworks, concepts, and actionable advice.
Example 2: Quick Tutorial Summary
/youtube-analyze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyz789 --depth quick
Quick summary capturing the main tutorial steps and key takeaways.
Example 3: Framework Focus
/youtube-analyze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=def456 --focus frameworks
Focuses extraction on frameworks and models presented in the video.
Invoke with: /youtube-analyze <youtube-url> to create structured notes from video content