Youtube Downloader
Save supported YouTube watch pages, Shorts, and embeds as MP4 or WebM for offline review, editing, and reference without manual stream extraction.
Overview
YouTube Downloader is an agent-catalog skill for the Grow phase that helps solo builders save supported YouTube videos as offline MP4 or WebM from watch pages, Shorts, and embeds.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/serpdownloaders/skills --skill youtube-downloaderWhat is this skill?
- Browser-native downloads from watch pages, Shorts, and embedded players
- MP4 or WebM export depending on the source workflow
- Offline copies for research, editing, and review
- Avoids manual stream handling for long-form and short-form video
- Chrome-style extension flow rather than CLI scraping rituals
Adoption & trust: 962 installs on skills.sh; 2 GitHub stars; 2/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You need YouTube footage on disk for editing or research but do not want to hand-roll stream extraction every time you find a clip.
Who is it for?
Indie creators and solo builders who routinely archive reference or source videos from YouTube for content, editing, or competitive review.
Skip if: Teams that need headless server-side bulk ingestion, rights-managed studio pipelines, or workflows that violate YouTube’s terms of service—you must confirm permitted use yourself.
When should I use this skill?
You need supported YouTube watch pages, Shorts, or embeds saved as MP4 or WebM for offline access.
What do I get? / Deliverables
You get browser-native MP4 or WebM files ready for offline review, editing, and content pipelines without manual extraction steps.
- Local MP4 or WebM file
- Offline copy for review or editing
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Offline video copies sit in the grow/content lane where solo builders stock assets for repurposing, study, and editorial workflows after the core product exists. Content subphase covers harvesting reference and source media—not building the extension itself—when you need files on disk for clips, notes, or competitive teardowns.
How it compares
Browser-extension download flow, not an in-agent bash skill or MCP server for programmatic scraping.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is youtube-downloader for?
Solo builders and creators who want a simple browser path to offline MP4/WebM from supported YouTube pages, Shorts, and embeds.
When should I use youtube-downloader?
Use it in Grow (content) when stocking offline video for edits or repurposing, and in Idea (research) when saving competitor or tutorial footage for teardowns—always on supported sources you are allowed to download.
Is youtube-downloader safe to install?
Review the Security Audits panel on this Prism page and inspect the extension permissions and publisher before installing in your browser.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Youtube Downloader
# YouTube Downloader (Browser Extension) > Download supported YouTube videos as MP4 or WebM files from watch pages, Shorts, and embedded players. YouTube Downloader is a browser extension built for users who need a cleaner way to save supported YouTube videos for offline access. It is designed for browser playback flows across watch pages, Shorts, and embedded players, and it helps you export usable files without relying on manual stream handling. <a href="https://dr.serp.co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://dr.serp.co/badge/serp.co?style=serp-dr-v3" alt="Verified DR 78 for serp.co" width="200" height="50"></a>  - Save supported YouTube videos from watch pages, Shorts, and embeds - Export MP4 or WebM output depending on the source workflow - Keep offline copies for research, editing, and review - Use a browser-native download flow instead of manual extraction - Preserve a cleaner workflow for long-form and short-form content ## Links - :rocket: Get it here: [YouTube Downloader](https://serp.ly/youtube-downloader) - :new: Latest release: [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/serpapps/youtube-downloader/releases/latest) - :question: Help center: [SERP Help](https://help.serp.co/en/) - :beetle: Report bugs: [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/serpapps/youtube-downloader/issues) - :bulb: Request features: [Feature Requests](https://github.com/serpapps/youtube-downloader/issues) ## Preview  ## Table of Contents - [Why YouTube Downloader](#why-youtube-downloader) - [Features](#features) - [How It Works](#how-it-works) - [Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Download Videos from YouTube](#step-by-step-tutorial-how-to-download-videos-from-youtube) - [Supported Formats](#supported-formats) - [Who It's For](#who-its-for) - [Common Use Cases](#common-use-cases) - [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting) - [Trial & Access](#trial--access) - [Installation Instructions](#installation-instructions) - [FAQ](#faq) - [License](#license) - [Notes](#notes) - [About YouTube](#about-youtube) ## Why YouTube Downloader YouTube uses adaptive streaming and multiple playback contexts, so the actual media source is not exposed as one obvious file. Watch pages, Shorts, and embedded players can all behave differently. That makes generic downloader behavior inconsistent and often harder than users expect. YouTube Downloader is built to simplify that browser workflow. Open the page, let the extension detect the supported media source, choose the format or quality you want when options are available, and export a file you can keep offline. ## Features - Detects supported YouTube media from watch pages, Shorts, and embeds - Multi-client InnerTube API extraction covering all available qualities from 144p to 4K - In-page download button built into the YouTube video player - Automatic HLS-to-MP4 conversion and SABR/UMP streaming support as fallbacks - Handles browser playback workflows more cleanly than manual extraction - Exports usable MP4 or WebM output depending on the source - Download queue with up to 3 concurrent downloads - Detects YouTube embeds on third-party websites - SPA-aware detection that works with YouTube navigation without page reloads - Works on Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, Firefox, Whale, and Yandex ## How It Works 1. Install the extension from the latest release. 2. Open a YouTube video, Short, or embedded player and start playback. 3. Let the extension detect the active media source. 4. Open the popup or use the in-page download button on the player. 5. Review the available formats and quality options. 6. Select the quality you want from the available resolutions. 7. Start the download and save t