Skill: welbinator/youtube-notes (version 1.0.4)

--- name: youtube-notes description: Convert any YouTube video into clean, structured markdown notes — steps, tools, timestamps, and parts lists. Use when a user shares a YouTube link and asks you to summarize it, extract the steps, or take notes on it. Requires a TranscriptAPI.com API key (free tier available). Outputs formatted markdown directly to the user. homepage: https://transcriptapi.com metadata: {"openclaw":{"requires":{"env":["TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"]},"primaryEnv":"TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"}} --- # YouTube Notes Fetches the transcript and description of any YouTube video and turns it into clean, structured markdown notes — tools, steps, timestamp links, and parts lists. No fluff. Works great for: - DIY / repair / how-to tutorials (tools, steps, torque specs) - Educational videos (key points, sections, timestamps) - Any video you want to reference later without rewatching --- ## Setup This skill requires a **TranscriptAPI.com** API key (`TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY`). TranscriptAPI handles YouTube's anti-scraping protections via residential proxies. Free tier: 100 transcripts/month, no credit card required. If the user hasn't provided a key yet, tell them: > "To fetch YouTube transcripts I need a TranscriptAPI.com API key. It's free — sign up at transcriptapi.com, copy your API key from the dashboard, and paste it here." Store the key as `TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY` wherever your agent manages credentials. --- ## Workflow ### Step 1 — Extract the Video ID From any YouTube URL: - `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID` → `VIDEO_ID` is after `v=` - `https://youtu.be/VIDEO_ID` → `VIDEO_ID` is the path ### Step 2 — Fetch the Transcript ```bash curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/transcript?video_url=VIDEO_ID&format=json&include_timestamp=true&send_metadata=true" \ -H "[REDACTED_SECRET]" ``` Response includes: - `transcript[]` — array of `{ text, start, duration }` where `start` is seconds from the beginning - `metadata.title` — video title - `metadata.author_name` — channel name **Error codes:** - `402` — out of credits. User needs to top up at transcriptapi.com. - `404` — video not found or no transcript available (private video, no captions). - `401` — API key invalid or expired. Ask the user to check their key. ### Step 3 — Fetch the Video Description Use a web fetch on the video URL to get the description — it often contains parts lists, affiliate links, and creator-added timestamps (more reliable than auto-detected ones). ```bash curl -s "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID" -H "User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0" ``` **Look for:** - Parts lists and product links - Tool lists with model numbers or sizes - Torque specs or measurements - Timestamps the creator added themselves - Related guides ### Step 4 — Analyze & Structure Read the transcript for meaning — auto-generated transcripts have no punctuation. Skip `[Music]` tags, sponsor segments, and outro fluff. **For tutorial/repair/how-to videos, extract:** - Tools and materials (with sizes, specs, model numbers) - Torque specs, measurements, part numbers - Numbered steps in sequence - Key moments worth timestamping **For educational/informational videos, extract:** - Main topic and key points - Supporting data and natural section breaks ### Step 5 — Format Timestamp Links Convert `start` seconds to `M:SS`: - `minutes = Math.floor(seconds / 60)` - `secs = String(seconds % 60).padStart(2, '0')` Format: ``` ⏱ Skip to M:SS — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID&t=SECONDS ``` ### Step 6 — Output the Notes Deliver the structured markdown directly to the user. After outputting, ask: > "Want me to save this somewhere? I can store it in Parchment, Notion, Google Docs, or as a local markdown file — just let me know." If they say yes, use whatever tools and skills you have available to save it. That's outside the scope of this skill — just hand off the markdown. --- ## Output Templates ### Tutorial / Repair / How-To ```markdown # VIDEO TITLE **Source:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID **Channel:** AUTHOR_NAME | Est. time: X min (if mentioned) --- ## Tools Needed - Tool 1 (size/purpose) - Tool 2 ## Parts & Links - Part Name — https://link.to/part ## Torque Specs / Measurements - Spec: value --- ## Steps ### 1. Step Name Clear, concise description of what to do. ⏱ Skip to M:SS — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID&t=SECONDS ### 2. Step Name ... ``` ### Educational / Informational ```markdown # VIDEO TITLE **Source:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID **Channel:** AUTHOR_NAME --- ## Key Points - Point 1 - Point 2 --- ## Notes ### Section Title Summary of this section. ⏱ Skip to M:SS — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID&t=SECONDS ``` --- ## Tips - Auto-generated transcripts have no punctuation — read for meaning, not literally - Creator-added timestamps in the description are more meaningful than auto-detected ones - Skip the outro (brand plugs, subscribe reminders) — it's not useful content - Keep steps concise — this is a reference card, not a transcript - 1 TranscriptAPI credit = 1 fetch. Free tier = 100/month. - Some videos have no transcript (private, no captions). Tell the user and offer to summarize from the title/description only.


Security scan verdicts — ClawScan: clean | static analysis: clean | VirusTotal: clean | SkillSpector: clean (LOW)