| name | media-download |
| description | This skill should be used when the user asks to "download video", "download reel",
"save video from URL", "yt-dlp download", "download Instagram reel", "download YouTube video",
"download TikTok", "extract audio from video", "download audio from URL",
"extract video from QR code", "download media", or provides a URL/QR image from a
supported video platform. Handles link extraction, compatibility check, download, and
metadata saving via yt-dlp.
|
Media Download
Download media from URLs or QR code images using yt-dlp, with automatic metadata extraction for search.
Prerequisites
| Tool | Install | Purpose |
|---|
| yt-dlp | brew install yt-dlp | Media download engine |
| zbarimg | brew install zbar | QR code decoding |
Verify before proceeding:
which yt-dlp && which zbarimg
Workflow
Phase 1: Input Resolution
Determine the download URL from user input.
Direct URL: Use as-is. Strip tracking parameters (?utm_source=...) if desired.
QR code image: Decode with the bundled script:
uv run ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/media-download/scripts/decode_qr.py <image_path>
Output is one URL per line. If multiple URLs are found, confirm which one to use.
Phase 2: Compatibility Check
Verify yt-dlp supports the URL and preview available formats:
yt-dlp --simulate -F "<url>"
If this fails:
- Login required: Suggest
--cookies-from-browser chrome option
- Unsupported site: Inform the user; check
yt-dlp --list-extractors for site support
- Geo-restricted: Suggest VPN or
--geo-bypass
Phase 3: Download
Download to the standard output directory:
yt-dlp \
-o "~/Downloads/yt-dlp-output/%(title)s [%(id)s].%(ext)s" \
--write-info-json \
--no-write-playlist-metafiles \
"<url>"
Options by scenario:
| Scenario | Additional flags |
|---|
| Best quality (default) | None needed (yt-dlp selects best) |
| Audio only | -x --audio-format mp3 |
| Specific format | -f <format_id> (from Phase 2 output) |
| Login required | --cookies-from-browser chrome |
| Playlist | --yes-playlist (confirm with user first) |
| Subtitles | --write-subs --sub-langs all |
Phase 4: Metadata Extraction
After download, convert the verbose .info.json into a slim search-friendly .meta.json:
uv run ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/media-download/scripts/save_metadata.py \
~/Downloads/yt-dlp-output/"<filename>.info.json"
This extracts key fields: title, description, uploader, upload_date, duration, tags, categories, view/like counts, URL, thumbnail, resolution.
To reduce clutter, remove the original .info.json after extraction:
rm ~/Downloads/yt-dlp-output/"<filename>.info.json"
Phase 5: Report
Summarize the result to the user:
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Source | Platform name + URL |
| File | Saved path |
| Format | Resolution, codec, file size |
| Metadata | .meta.json path |
Output Structure
~/Downloads/yt-dlp-output/
├── Video Title [abc123].mp4
├── Video Title [abc123].meta.json
├── Another Video [def456].webm
└── Another Video [def456].meta.json
Naming convention: %(title)s [%(id)s].%(ext)s — the [id] suffix ensures uniqueness.
Supported Platforms
yt-dlp supports 1000+ sites. Common ones:
| Platform | URL pattern | Notes |
|---|
| YouTube | youtube.com/watch?v=, youtu.be/ | Most reliable |
| Instagram | instagram.com/reel/, instagram.com/p/ | Public posts only without cookies |
| Twitter/X | x.com/*/status/ | May need cookies |
| TikTok | tiktok.com/@*/video/ | |
| Reddit | reddit.com/r/*/comments/ | |
| Vimeo | vimeo.com/ | |
Troubleshooting
yt-dlp version outdated: Instagram and other sites change APIs frequently.
yt-dlp -U
QR decode fails: Ensure the image is clear and zbar is installed. Instagram QR codes with logo overlay work due to QR error correction.
Private content: Requires browser cookies:
yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome "<url>"
Scripts Reference
| Script | Purpose |
|---|
scripts/decode_qr.py | Decode QR codes from image files → URL output |
scripts/save_metadata.py | Extract slim search-friendly JSON from yt-dlp .info.json |
