youtube-summary

# YouTube Summary Skill

Summarize YouTube videos by extracting transcripts via [TranscriptAPI.com](https://transcriptapi.com) and generating structured summaries.

## Setup

### Prerequisites

- Python 3.10+
- A TranscriptAPI.com account ($5/mo for 1,000 transcripts)
- Optional: `pass` (Unix password manager) for secure key storage

### Installation

1. Sign up at [transcriptapi.com](https://transcriptapi.com) and get your API key
2. Provide the API key via **one** of these methods:
   - **Environment variable (simplest):** `export TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY="your-key-here"`
   - **`pass` password store (most secure):** `pass insert transcriptapi/api-key`
3. Install Python dependencies:
   ```bash
   pip install -r skills/youtube-summary/requirements.txt
   ```

## Detection

Trigger on messages containing YouTube URLs matching any of:
- `youtube.com/watch?v=ID`
- `youtu.be/ID`
- `youtube.com/shorts/ID`
- `m.youtube.com/watch?v=ID`
- `youtube.com/live/ID`

## ⚠️ Critical Rules

- **NEVER use web_search as a fallback.** If transcript extraction fails, report the error and stop.
- **NEVER fabricate transcript content.** Only summarize what the extraction script returns.
- **Always run the extraction script.** Do not skip it, even for well-known videos.

## Workflow

### Step 1: Extract transcript

**If using `pass`:**
```bash
_yt_key_file=$(mktemp) && pass transcriptapi/api-key > "$_yt_key_file" && python3 skills/youtube-summary/scripts/extract.py "YOUTUBE_URL_OR_ID" --api-key-file "$_yt_key_file"; rm -f "$_yt_key_file"
```

**If using env var:**
```bash
python3 skills/youtube-summary/scripts/extract.py "YOUTUBE_URL_OR_ID"
```
(Reads `TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY` from the environment automatically.)

**Security note:** The `pass` + temp file approach avoids exposing the key in `ps` output or shell history. The env var approach is simpler but the key is visible in the process environment.

Parse stdout:
- `PROGRESS:` lines → relay to user as status updates (optional)
- `ERROR:` lines...

# 📺 YouTube Summary

**Drop a YouTube link in chat → get an instant, structured summary.**

An [OpenClaw](https://openclaw.com) skill that extracts video transcripts via [TranscriptAPI.com](https://transcriptapi.com) and generates concise summaries with key points and notable quotes. Supports custom prompts — just add your instructions after the URL.

## ✨ Features

- **Any YouTube URL** — `youtube.com/watch`, `youtu.be`, `/shorts/`, `/live/`, `m.youtube.com`
- **Custom prompts** — "focus on the technical details", "list action items", "explain like I'm 5"
- **Long video support** — handles videos of any length with smart truncation for very long transcripts
- **Telegram-optimized** — output fits Telegram's formatting and character limits

## 🚀 Quick Example

You:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ summarize the key arguments

Giskard:
> 📺 **Never Gonna Give You Up** — Rick Astley (3min)
>
> **TL;DR:** Rick makes an impassioned case for commitment and loyalty...
>
> **Key Points:**
> • Never going to give you up
> • Never going to let you down
> ...

## 📦 Setup

### Prerequisites

- Python 3.10+
- A [TranscriptAPI.com](https://transcriptapi.com) account ($5/mo for 1,000 transcripts)

### 1. Get a TranscriptAPI key

Sign up at [transcriptapi.com](https://transcriptapi.com) and copy your API key.

### 2. Provide the API key (choose one method)

**Option A — Environment variable (simplest):**
```bash
export TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY="your-key-here"
```

**Option B — `pass` password store (most secure):**
```bash
pass insert transcriptapi/api-key
```

The script reads `--api-key-file` first (used by the `pass` workflow), then falls back to the `TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY` environment variable.

### 3. Install Python dependencies

```bash
pip install -r requirements.txt
```

That's it. Drop a YouTube link in chat and the skill kicks in automatically.

## 🔧 Why TranscriptAPI?

YouTube aggressively blocks transcript requests from datacenter IP ranges. If your OpenClaw in...