ytdl-sub is a command-line application that automates downloading media and preparing it for use with media players and servers. It uses yt-dlp to retrieve content from supported services and organise the resulting files into a structured media library.
The software is particularly useful for maintaining collections of YouTube videos, music, podcasts and other online media. It handles both downloading and generating the metadata required by applications such as Kodi, Jellyfin, Plex and Emby.
ytdl-sub uses YAML configuration files to define subscriptions and control how downloaded content is processed. A preset system provides ready-made configurations for common media library layouts while allowing detailed customisation.
This approach makes it possible to maintain an automatically updated media collection without repeatedly organising downloaded files by hand.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Automates media downloading through yt-dlp using configurable subscriptions.
- Supports content from YouTube, SoundCloud, Bandcamp and other services handled by yt-dlp.
- YAML-based configuration system for defining subscriptions, download behaviour and output formatting.
- Built-in presets for organising YouTube channels as television shows, music collections and music videos.
- Generates metadata files, thumbnails and artwork suitable for Kodi, Jellyfin, Plex and Emby.
- Customisable directory structures, filenames, season numbers, episode numbers and media metadata.
- Supports music tagging through integration with the beets API.
- Download filtering options based on publication dates and the number of items to retain.
- Maintains download archives to avoid unnecessarily downloading previously processed media.
- Optional synchronisation removes downloaded items that have disappeared from their source subscriptions.
- Supports multiple source URLs within an individual subscription.
- Custom configuration options allow users to override presets and pass additional settings to yt-dlp.
- Suitable for unattended execution through scheduled tasks and automation scripts.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux and Windows.
Website: github.com/jmbannon/ytdl-sub
Support:
Developer: jmbannon
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
ytdl-sub is written in Python. Learn Python with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Console-Based YouTube Tools | |
|---|---|
| yt-dlp | Fork of youtube-dl offering new features |
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| yewtube | Terminal based YouTube player and downloader |
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| Tizonia | Cloud music player for the Linux terminal |
| pipe-viewer | Lightweight YouTube client with CLI and GUI |
| yt-x | Browse YouTube from the terminal |
| pytubefix | Library and CLI for downloading YouTube videos |
| ytsurf | Clean and distraction-free |
| YTerMusic | Aims to be as fast and simple as possible |
| xytz | TUI frontend for yt-dlp |
| ytm-player | Terminal-based client for YouTube Music |
| tuitube | TUI to download videos |
| GopherTube | Terminal YouTube client for searching and watching videos |
| youtube-dl | Download videos from YouTube and many other sites. Extremely versatile |
| ytcc | Keep track of your favorite playlists on YouTube |
| Rataplay | TUI to search, play and download videos |
| MPS-YouTube | Terminal based YouTube player and downloader |
| GoMusic | Download and stream music from YouTube |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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