Open Video Downloader
Plan for a single open-source toolbar extension that detects page videos and saves them locally without routing through third-party download servers.
Overview
Open Video Downloader is an agent skill for the Grow phase that describes a forthcoming open-source browser extension to detect and download web videos in-browser with format and quality picks.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/serpdownloaders/skills --skill open-video-downloaderWhat is this skill?
- Universal detection for embedded, streaming, and direct video sources on active pages
- Format and quality choice before saving
- Runs entirely in-browser—no separate desktop app required
- Targets Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, Firefox, and other Chromium browsers
- Open-source, community-driven alternative to ad-heavy proprietary downloaders
Adoption & trust: 938 installs on skills.sh; 2 GitHub stars; 2/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You bounce between dozens of sites with embedded or streaming video and do not want a separate shady downloader app for each platform.
Who is it for?
Builders who want one open-source extension on their roadmap for archiving permissive web video once it actually ships.
Skip if: Anyone who needs a working downloader today, or use cases that violate site terms or copyright on content you do not have rights to save.
When should I use this skill?
After public release, when you are viewing a page with embedded or streaming video and want an in-browser save with chosen quality— not before the extension ships.
What do I get? / Deliverables
After release, you would pick quality and format from the toolbar and save files locally without third-party relay servers—today you can only join the waitlist.
- Local video files in chosen format/quality after release
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Grow is where builders stockpile reference and training media; a universal in-browser saver supports that research library habit once it ships. Content covers saving external video material you rely on for skills and inspiration, not hosting video inside your SaaS.
How it compares
Skill documents a future browser integration—not an MCP server or agent workflow you can run in Claude Code yet.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is open-video-downloader for?
Indie builders and researchers who prefer an open, in-browser video saver across many sites instead of a patchwork of closed tools—once the extension is released.
When should I use open-video-downloader?
In Grow while collecting reference clips and tutorials from varied websites, after launch; until then, use platform-specific skills like Udemy Video Downloader where available.
Is open-video-downloader safe to install?
It is not installable yet. When it releases, check this page’s Security Audits panel and the open-source repo before granting broad browser permissions.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Open Video Downloader
# Open Video Downloader — Coming Soon (Browser Extension) > A universal, open-source browser extension for detecting and downloading videos from supported websites. **This extension is currently in development and has not been released yet.** Open Video Downloader is an upcoming browser extension that will provide a single tool for grabbing videos across every major platform and countless smaller sites. Instead of relying on proprietary downloaders that bundle ads, hidden trackers, or paywalled features, this project is being built in the open as a community-driven alternative. The extension will sit in your toolbar, detect video sources on the active page, and offer direct download links without routing traffic through third-party servers. - Detect embedded, streaming, and direct video sources on any webpage - Download videos from social platforms, news sites, educational portals, and more - Choose between available quality levels and file formats before saving - Operate entirely within the browser with no external desktop software required - Designed for Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, Firefox, and other Chromium browsers ## Status **This extension is not yet available for download.** Active development is underway and a release date has not been announced. Sign up below to get notified when it launches. :bell: **Get notified when this launches:** [Join the waitlist](https://apps.serp.co/waiting-list) ## Links - :hourglass_flowing_sand: Waitlist: [Coming Soon — Sign Up](https://apps.serp.co/waiting-list) - :bulb: Request features: [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/serpapps/open-video-downloader/issues) ## Preview  ## Table of Contents - [Why Open Video Downloader](#why-open-video-downloader) - [Planned Features](#planned-features) - [How It Will Work](#how-it-will-work) - [Expected Formats](#expected-formats) - [Who It's For](#who-its-for) - [Use Cases We're Building For](#use-cases-were-building-for) - [FAQ](#faq) - [License](#license) - [Notes](#notes) - [About Online Video](#about-online-video) ## Why Open Video Downloader Videos on the modern web are served through adaptive streaming protocols, embedded players with proprietary JavaScript wrappers, and platform-specific delivery networks. Right-clicking a video rarely produces a usable save option, and most free download tools inject ads, harvest browsing data, or stop working the moment a site updates its player. Open Video Downloader is being designed as a transparent, community-auditable solution to that problem. Because the source code is open, anyone can inspect exactly what the extension does with network requests and page data. The goal is to parse video sources from the active tab, present every available quality option, and hand the file directly to the browser's download manager with nothing in between. ## Planned Features - Automatic detection of video elements, streaming manifests, and direct media URLs on supported pages - Multi-quality selection so you can pick between resolutions like 360p, 720p, 1080p, or higher - Batch download support for pages that contain multiple video files - Filename generation from page titles and video metadata for organized libraries - Progress tracking inside the extension popup during active downloads - Optional audio-only extraction for saving soundtracks or narration without the video track - Cross-site compatibility powered by generic detection logic rather than per-site scrapers - Cross-browser compatibility targeting Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Firefox ## How It Will Work 1. Install the extension from your browser's extension store once it is released. 2. Navigate to any webpage that contains a video you want to save. 3. Click the Open Vide