YouTube Transcript and Create Note

Get transcript from a YouTube video using yt-dlp and create a comprehensive knowledge graph note using question-oriented content synthesis.

Usage

/youtube-transcript <youtube_url> [note_filename]

Process

Step 1: Content Acquisition (YouTube-Specific)

Extract video ID and metadata:

• Parse video ID from YouTube URL
• Use yt-dlp to get video metadata (title, description, uploader, upload date)
• Command: yt-dlp --skip-download --write-info-json <url>

Get transcript using yt-dlp:

• Use yt-dlp --write-auto-subs --sub-langs "en-US,en.*" --skip-download --sub-format vtt --convert-subs srt -o "attachments/%(id)s" <url>
• This downloads English subtitles only, preferring en-US variant
• Save transcript to attachments/<video_id>.srt or attachments/<video_id>.en.srt
• If auto-generated subtitles unavailable, try manual subtitles with same --sub-langs flag
• If transcript unavailable, inform user and suggest alternatives

Read the transcript:

• Use Read tool to load transcript from attachments/<video_id>.srt
• This is the raw content to be synthesized

Step 2: Universal Content Processing

Follow the shared content synthesis pipeline documented in _shared_content_synthesis.md:

1. Apply Question-Oriented Content Synthesis

   • Phase 1: Central Question Discovery
   • Phase 2: Domain Question Extraction
   • Phase 3: Specific and Atomic Question Decomposition
   • Phase 4: Progressive Answer Development

2. Generate note structure and metadata

   • Determine filename based on central question
   • Assign 3-6 tags mixing dimensions
   • Create YouTube-specific YAML frontmatter

3. MOC Integration

   • Read TOPICS.md to understand MOC structure
   • Identify appropriate MOC(s) for this note
   • Update MOC file(s) with wikilink and description

4. Relationship Discovery

   • Search for related notes in knowledge graph
   • Establish bidirectional relationships
   • Update related notes

YouTube-Specific Note Structure

---
tags: [domain, topic, content-type]
source: <youtube_url>
video_title: "<title>"
video_id: "<video_id>"
transcript: "attachments/<video_id>.srt"
date_added: <ISO_date>
---

# Note Title (Based on Central Question)

## Central Question

**Question**: [The single overarching question the video addresses]

**Executive Summary**: 2-3 paragraphs previewing key insights and how the video resolves the central question.

## Part I: [Domain Question 1]

### [Specific Question 1.1]

**Question**: [Clear, specific question from this section]

**Answer**: [Comprehensive response including:
- Direct answer to the question
- Supporting evidence from transcript (specific quotes with timestamps if available)
- Technical details and concrete information
- Implications and connections to broader themes]

### [Specific Question 1.2]

**Question**: [Next specific question]

**Answer**: [Evidence-based response...]

## Part II: [Domain Question 2]

### [Specific Question 2.1]

**Question**: [Clear question]

**Answer**: [Comprehensive response with transcript evidence...]

[Continue with additional parts and sections as needed]

## Resolution: [Answer to Central Question]

Synthesize domain insights to definitively resolve the central question posed at the beginning.

## Related Concepts

### Prerequisites
- [[prerequisite]] - Why needed first

### Related Topics
- [[related]] - Connection explanation

### Extends
- [[base_concept]] - What this builds upon

## References

- [Video Title](<youtube_url>) - Original video source
- [Transcript](attachments/<video_id>.srt) - Downloaded transcript (SRT format)
- Video ID: `<video_id>`
- Uploaded by: <uploader>
- Upload date: <upload_date>
- Accessed: <access_date>

Tools to Use

• Bash - Run yt-dlp commands to download metadata and transcripts
• Read - Read downloaded transcript from attachments folder, read TOPICS.md and MOC files
• Grep - Find related notes in knowledge graph
• Write - Create new note following question-oriented structure
• Edit - Update MOC files to include new note, update related notes for bidirectional relationships

Example yt-dlp Commands

# Get video metadata
yt-dlp --skip-download --write-info-json <youtube_url>

# Download auto-generated subtitles as SRT (English only, prefer en-US)
yt-dlp --write-auto-subs --sub-langs "en-US,en.*" --skip-download --sub-format vtt --convert-subs srt -o "attachments/%(id)s" <youtube_url>

# Try manual subtitles if auto-subs unavailable (English only, prefer en-US)
yt-dlp --write-subs --sub-langs "en-US,en.*" --skip-download --sub-format vtt --convert-subs srt -o "attachments/%(id)s" <youtube_url>

# List available subtitle languages
yt-dlp --list-subs <youtube_url>

Critical Requirements

See _shared_content_synthesis.md for complete requirements. Key points:

• Synthesis Over Analysis: Create complete educational document, not meta-analysis of question structure
• Answer Integration Pattern: Every question paired with comprehensive, evidence-based answers
• MOC Integration: Ensure note is wired into knowledge graph via appropriate MOC(s)
• Bidirectional Relationships: Update both new note and related notes for discoverability