video-downloader

Download videos from websites using yt-dlp with format selection and merging.

364|53|Updated May 9, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/cosmicstack-labs/mercury-agent-skills --skill video-downloader-cosmicstack-labs
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: video-downloader
Source: https://github.com/cosmicstack-labs/mercury-agent-skills/tree/main/categories/media-download/video-downloader
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/cosmicstack-labs/mercury-agent-skills --skill video-downloader-cosmicstack-labs

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you download videos from many sites reliably without manually figuring out per-site options, so you can quickly build your offline library.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Install and set up yt-dlp + ffmpeg so downloads can merge separate video/audio streams.
  • Format selection and optimization to choose resolutions and combine streams (e.g., bestvideo+bestaudio).
  • Playlists, channels, subtitles, and authentication using cookies and archive files to avoid re-downloading.
  • Post-processing and output organization with FFmpeg options, metadata embedding, and output templates for tidy folders.

Use case: You want to archive a full YouTube playlist in 1080p, embed subtitles (English), keep files organized by channel/playlist, and re-run it later without downloading everything again.

Quick Start

Use the video-downloader skill to download a YouTube playlist in 1080p while merging best streams and embedding subtitles by running: yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best[height<=1080]" --merge-output-format mp4 --write-subs --sub-langs en --embed-subs "PASTE_PLAYLIST_URL_HERE".

Frequently Asked Questions about video-downloader

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I download a YouTube playlist in 1080p and embed subtitles?▼

Download a YouTube playlist in 1080p and embed subtitles by running yt-dlp with format selection like bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio, merging to mp4, and using --write-subs --sub-langs en --embed-subs for the subtitle files.

Do I need ffmpeg to merge video and audio streams with yt-dlp?▼

You need ffmpeg installed alongside yt-dlp to merge separate video and audio streams during post-processing, enabling the tool to combine selected formats into a single output file seamlessly.

How do I prevent re-downloading videos when archiving a channel incrementally?▼

Prevent re-downloading videos when archiving a channel by using yt-dlp download archives, which track previously downloaded files and allow incremental updates to skip duplicates on subsequent runs.

Can I use cookies for authentication to download private videos or member-only content?▼

You can use cookies for authentication to download private videos or member-only content by passing cookie files to yt-dlp, enabling access to restricted playlists and channel libraries.

What is the best way to organize downloaded videos by channel and playlist?▼

Organize downloaded videos by channel and playlist by applying yt-dlp output templates, which structure your offline folders based on extracted metadata to keep your archived library tidy.

Why does batch downloading require performance tuning and specific command patterns?▼

Batch downloading requires performance tuning and specific command patterns to optimize yt-dlp workflows, ensuring stable processing when handling large playlists or extensive channel libraries efficiently.