# Video Downloader

> Download YouTube videos with customizable quality and format options. Use this skill when the user asks to download, save, or grab YouTube videos. Supports various quality settings (best, 1080p, 720p, 480p, 360p), multiple formats (mp4, webm, mkv), and audio-only downloads as MP3.

- Skill: `zaizira/video-downloader` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add zaizira/video-downloader`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/zaizira/video-downloader/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: zaizira (https://skillmd.com/u/zaizira)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/zaizira/video-downloader

---


# YouTube Video Downloader

Download YouTube videos with full control over quality and format settings.

## Requirements

- Python 3.8+
- yt-dlp (auto-installs if not present)

## Quick Start

The simplest way to download a video:

```bash
yt-dlp "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID"
```

This downloads the video in best available quality.

## Options

### Quality Settings

Use `-f` to specify video quality:

```bash
# Best quality (default)
yt-dlp "URL"

# Specific resolution
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best[height<=1080]" "URL"
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=720]+bestaudio/best[height<=720]" "URL"
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=480]+bestaudio/best[height<=480]" "URL"
```

### Format Options

```bash
# MP4 format
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[ext=mp4]+bestaudio[ext=m4a]/best[ext=mp4]" "URL"

# WebM format
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[ext=webm]+bestaudio[ext=webm]/best[ext=webm]" "URL"
```

### Audio Only

Download only audio as MP3:

```bash
yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 "URL"
```

### Custom Output Directory

```bash
yt-dlp -o "/path/to/directory/%(title)s.%(ext)s" "URL"
```

## Complete Examples

1. Download video in 1080p as MP4:
```bash
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=1080][ext=mp4]+bestaudio[ext=m4a]/best[height<=1080]" "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID"
```

2. Download audio only as MP3:
```bash
yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID"
```

3. Download with custom filename:
```bash
yt-dlp -o "%(title)s - %(upload_date)s.%(ext)s" "URL"
```

4. Download playlist:
```bash
yt-dlp -o "%(playlist)s/%(playlist_index)s - %(title)s.%(ext)s" "PLAYLIST_URL"
```

## Useful Options

| Option | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `-o` | Output template |
| `-f` | Format selection |
| `-x` | Extract audio |
| `--audio-format` | Audio format (mp3, wav, etc.) |
| `--list-formats` | List available formats |
| `--no-playlist` | Download single video from playlist |
| `--write-thumbnail` | Save thumbnail image |
| `--write-subs` | Download subtitles |
| `--sub-lang` | Subtitle language (e.g., "en", "ja") |

## Installation

If yt-dlp is not installed:

```bash
# macOS
brew install yt-dlp

# pip
pip install yt-dlp

# Update existing installation
yt-dlp -U
```

## Important Notes

- Video filename is automatically generated from the video title
- Higher quality videos may take longer to download and use more disk space
- Some videos may have download restrictions
- Use responsibly and respect copyright