youtube-ctx is the local, no-account skill for personal, one-off public YouTube work at low-to-moderate usage. It searches and extracts text or metadata directly from the user’s machine, and it can inspect a video’s timed transcript and storyboard when imagery matters. It needs no video2ctx account, API key, hosted service, or separate npm package.
Reach for it when
- Searching for public videos, channels, or playlists
- Fetching transcripts, caption tracks, comments, details, or end screens
- Inspecting channel identity, channel videos, channel playlists, or playlist items
- Reading slides, charts, diagrams, interfaces, code samples, demonstrations, or other visual changes
- Verifying what appears at a particular timestamp
video2ctx-platform for production applications, managed infrastructure, account or usage details, recurring monitors, and automatic fallback after a direct operation fails.
Requirements
- Node.js 18.17 or newer
- Optional: FFmpeg for exact frame verification
Example requests
How the skill routes work
1
Choose the smallest branch
Uses direct extraction for text and metadata, or the visual branch when imagery is material.
2
Build only needed context
Requests compact transcript text by default and, for visual work, loads the timed transcript and every storyboard sheet.
3
Verify selectively
Extracts a small, diverse set of exact frames only for small text, chart values, detailed interface state, brief changes, ambiguity, or an explicit frame request.
4
Preserve evidence
Keeps timestamps, partial flags, warnings, continuations, and classified failures attached to the result.
Install youtube-ctx
Install one local skill for direct and visual YouTube context; add FFmpeg only when your work requires exact frames.