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youtube-transcript

Extract transcripts and captions from YouTube videos using a Python script.

11|Updated Mar 20, 2026
Search Tags:#transcript#python#video#subtitles#captions#youtube#extract
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/qa-aman/next-leap-claude-code --skill youtube-transcript-qa-aman
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: youtube-transcript
Source: https://github.com/qa-aman/next-leap-claude-code/tree/main/.claude/skills/youtube-transcript
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/qa-aman/next-leap-claude-code --skill youtube-transcript-qa-aman

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires youtube-transcript-api, and includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Manually transcribing YouTube videos is slow and error-prone. This Skill fetches the existing caption track from any YouTube video and returns the full text, optionally with timestamps, so you can read, summarize, or archive video content without watching it. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Transcript Extraction: Pull the complete caption text from a YouTube video using its URL or 11-character video ID. - Timestamped Output: Add the --timestamps flag to get each line prefixed with [MM:SS] or [HH:MM:SS] markers for easy navigation. - Batch Processing: Run the script sequentially across multiple URLs to collect transcripts from several videos in one session. - Use Case: You need to research a competitor's product launch video. Paste the URL, get the full transcript, then summarize key announcements without watching 45 minutes of footage. ## Quick Start Ask the AI to get the transcript of a YouTube video by pasting its URL, for example: get the transcript of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID with timestamps.

Frequently Asked Questions about youtube-transcript

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I get a transcript from a YouTube video in Python?▼

Use the youtube-transcript-api package to fetch captions programmatically. Pass a video URL or 11-character video ID to the script, and it returns the full transcript text, optionally with timestamps via the --timestamps flag.

What YouTube URL formats are supported for transcript extraction?▼

The script accepts standard watch URLs (youtube.com/watch?v=ID), short links (youtu.be/ID), embed URLs (youtube.com/embed/ID), and raw 11-character video IDs. It parses the ID automatically using regex patterns.

Why does YouTube transcript extraction fail for some videos?▼

Extraction fails when a video has captions disabled, since the API relies on existing manual or auto-generated caption tracks. Private or region-restricted videos may also fail. Verify captions are available on the video before running the script.

Can I get YouTube transcripts with timestamps?▼

Yes, run the script with the --timestamps or -t flag. Each transcript line is then prefixed with a [MM:SS] or [HH:MM:SS] marker indicating when that segment starts in the video.

Are auto-generated YouTube captions accurate enough to use?▼

Auto-generated captions often contain transcription errors, especially with technical terms, accents, or background noise. They are usable for research and summarization, but flag potential inaccuracies when quoting or publishing the content.

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