download-video
by rameerezdownload-video helps you save videos from supported URLs with yt-dlp. Use this download-video skill for Workflow Automation when you need install-and-usage guidance, consistent filenames, format selection, and a repeatable path for transcription, editing, or archiving.
This skill scores 77/100, which means it is a solid directory candidate for users who want a ready-made video download workflow. The repository gives enough operational detail for an agent to trigger and execute it with less guesswork than a generic prompt, though it still has some adoption caveats around environment setup and edge-case handling.
- Explicit trigger and use case: the frontmatter says it is for downloading videos from social URLs and includes the argument-hint "[url]".
- Concrete workflow guidance: it specifies checking for yt-dlp, downloading in best available quality, and reporting filename, format, and file size.
- Useful platform coverage: it names major sources like X/Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, plus support for 1400+ sites via yt-dlp.
- No install command or setup file is provided, so users must already have yt-dlp available or follow the ad hoc suggestion to install it.
- Only lightweight guidance is shown in the excerpt; there are no scripts, references, or rule files to deepen edge-case handling or reduce ambiguity.
Overview of download-video skill
What the download-video skill does
The download-video skill helps you save a video from a supported URL to local storage using yt-dlp. It is best for people who need a reliable download-video skill for grabbing source media from social platforms, then reusing it for transcription, editing, research, or archival.
Who should use it
Use this download-video guide if you already have a direct video URL and want a repeatable workflow instead of guessing command flags. It fits Workflow Automation tasks where the input is a link and the output is a file on disk.
Why it is useful
Its main advantage is coverage: it works across X/Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and many other sites supported by yt-dlp. The practical value is not just “download a file,” but choosing the right format, naming output consistently, and handling common blockers like missing dependencies or restricted content.
How to Use download-video skill
Install and verify the environment
For download-video install, add the skill and confirm yt-dlp exists before you rely on it. The skill expects an environment where Bash commands are available and where the current directory is a sensible save location. If yt-dlp is missing, install it first rather than troubleshooting the skill prompt itself.
Give the skill a complete input
The ideal download-video usage starts with a clean URL and a clear intent. Better inputs look like: Download this YouTube video as the highest quality file: <url> or Save this Instagram reel for transcription and name it clearly. Avoid vague requests like “get this video” because the skill needs to know whether you want best quality, a specific format, audio only, or a custom folder.
Follow the command path
The repository’s core path is simple: verify yt-dlp, run a download, then report the filename, format, and file size. A typical first pass is:
yt-dlp -o "%(title)s.%(ext)s" "URL"
If the result matters, inspect formats first with yt-dlp -F "URL" and pick a specific format with -f. This is the fastest way to avoid unnecessary retries when source quality or audio/video pairing matters.
Read the right files first
For practical download-video usage, start with SKILL.md and focus on the Process, Download Command, Options Reference, and Platform-Specific Notes sections. Those are the only parts that materially affect execution. If you are adapting the skill to another workflow, copy the command logic, not the wording.
download-video skill FAQ
Is this only for one website?
No. The download-video skill is built around yt-dlp, so it supports a broad site list rather than a single platform. That makes it a good fit when your workflow spans X/Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and similar sources.
Do I need this skill if I already know yt-dlp?
If you already use yt-dlp comfortably, the skill is mainly a structured prompt wrapper. If you want a faster, more consistent download-video guide for agents or teammates, it reduces the chance of forgetting format checks, naming choices, or platform-specific caveats.
When is it a bad fit?
Do not use it when you do not have a direct video URL, when the site is unsupported by yt-dlp, or when your job is to re-encode, clip, or edit rather than download. It is also not ideal if you need a heavily customized archival pipeline; in that case, a broader automation script is better.
Is it beginner-friendly?
Yes, if the goal is simple: provide a URL and save the file. It becomes less beginner-friendly when the source needs cookies, age-gated access, or format selection. In those cases, a stronger prompt and a quick format probe are more useful than trial and error.
How to Improve download-video skill
State the outcome, not just the link
The best download-video skill results come from specifying the end state: best quality, audio-only, custom path, or a file for transcription. “Download this URL” is enough for a default pass, but “download in best available quality and keep the filename readable” gives the skill real decision guidance.
Provide constraints that change the command
If you care about size, bandwidth, naming, or accessibility, say so up front. Useful constraints include: audio only, pick 720p if available, save to ./assets/video, or use a stable filename for later processing. These details prevent the skill from choosing a default that is technically correct but operationally awkward.
Handle common failure modes early
The most common issues are missing yt-dlp, unsupported or private content, and platform restrictions that require cookies or login context. If a download fails, the next better input is usually not “try again,” but “use yt-dlp -F first and tell me what formats are available” or “this is an age-restricted YouTube link.”
Iterate after the first download
Treat the first run as a probe. If the output is too large, too low quality, or poorly named, tighten the prompt with a format target, output directory, or filename rule. That is the fastest way to turn download-video for Workflow Automation into a dependable step instead of a one-off command.