--- slug: "claude-youtube" source_type: "readme" source_url: "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/AgriciDaniel/claude-youtube@main/README.md" repo: "https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/claude-youtube" source_file: "README.md" branch: "main" --- # claude-youtube > **Status: Beta** -- Actively developed. Core functionality is complete and tested. Breaking changes may occur before v1.0. A comprehensive [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) skill for YouTube creators. Covers channel audits, video SEO, retention-engineered scripts, hook writing, thumbnail briefs, content strategy, content calendars, Shorts optimization, analytics interpretation, monetization planning, competitor research, cross-platform repurposing, upload metadata packages, and data-driven video idea generation. **39 files** | **5,300+ lines of markdown** | **1,300+ lines of Python** | **14 sub-skills** | **9 reference guides** | **9 channel templates** | **6 execution scripts** --- ## What It Does claude-youtube turns Claude Code into a YouTube growth consultant. Instead of generic advice, every recommendation is grounded in platform-specific benchmarks, algorithm mechanics, and data from your actual channel. ### 14 Commands | Command | What It Does | |---------|-------------| | `/youtube audit` | Full channel health audit across 4 dimensions (SEO, performance, content, monetization) with parallel agents | | `/youtube seo` | Video SEO package: 3 title variants, full description, tags, chapters, hashtags, VideoObject schema | | `/youtube script` | Retention-engineered script with hook/intro/content blocks, pattern interrupts every 60-90s, and CTA placement | | `/youtube hook` | 5 hook variants (shock, problem-agitation, story, curiosity-gap, social proof) with drop-off risk ratings | | `/youtube thumbnail` | Thumbnail brief with 3 A/B variants, color hex codes, composition specs, and title-thumbnail synergy check | | `/youtube strategy` | Channel positioning, content pillars (Hub/Hero/Help), niche viability, upload cadence, 30/60/90-day milestones | | `/youtube calendar` | Monthly content calendar with per-video metadata, Shorts supplement plan, and seasonal CPM timing | | `/youtube shorts` | Shorts production package: script with visual change markers, SEO metadata, performance prediction, loop setup | | `/youtube analyze` | Analytics interpretation: funnel diagnosis, retention graph classification, traffic source health, priority actions | | `/youtube repurpose` | Cross-platform package: Shorts clips, blog outline, LinkedIn post, X thread, email, podcast outline, community post | | `/youtube monetize` | Revenue strategy across 7 streams, brand deal rate card, external funnel design, 90-day activation plan | | `/youtube competitor` | Competitor analysis with 4 parallel agents: top videos, keyword gaps, format gaps, audience gaps | | `/youtube metadata` | Copy-paste-ready upload package: titles, description, tags, chapters, cards, end screens, publish settings | | `/youtube ideate` | 10 ranked video ideas with keyword analysis, hook angles, thumbnail concepts, and revenue potential | --- ## Architecture Built on the [Agent Skills](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code) open standard with a 3-layer architecture: ``` skills/claude-youtube/ SKILL.md # Orchestrator (routing, context-gathering, quality gates) sub-skills/ # 14 sub-skill instruction files audit.md, seo.md, script.md, hook.md, thumbnail.md, strategy.md, calendar.md, shorts.md, analyze.md, repurpose.md, monetize.md, competitor.md, metadata.md, ideate.md references/ # 9 data-grounded reference guides algorithm-guide.md # 3-system architecture, testing cascade, CTR/AVD benchmarks seo-playbook.md # Title/description/tags/chapters rules, VideoObject schema retention-scripting-guide.md # Hook frameworks, pattern interrupts, CTA placement thumbnail-ctr-guide.md # CTR by niche, face psychology, A/B testing, title formulas shorts-playbook.md # Shorts algorithm, format specs, monetization analytics-guide.md # Metrics hierarchy, funnel ratios, RPM/CPM by niche monetization-guide.md # YPP tiers, 7 revenue streams, brand deal rates repurposing-guide.md # Hub/Hero/Help model, cross-platform workflows dataforseo-integration.md # DataForSEO MCP tool reference for live data templates/ # 9 channel-type templates education-channel.md, entertainment-channel.md, tutorial-channel.md, vlog-channel.md, review-channel.md, commentary-channel.md, niche-authority-channel.md, personal-brand-channel.md, shorts-first-channel.md execution/ # 6 Python scripts for YouTube API integration fetch_channel_data.py # Channel stats + recent videos (~16 quota units) fetch_video_analytics.py # Private analytics via OAuth search_competitor_videos.py # Competitor video search (100 units/search) fetch_transcript.py # Transcript extraction via yt-dlp utils/quota_tracker.py # 10K unit/day quota management utils/youtube_auth.py # API key + OAuth 2.0 handler ``` ### How It Works 1. **Orchestrator** (`SKILL.md`) routes your request to the right sub-skill based on trigger phrases 2. **Context-gathering** collects channel niche, size tier, and primary goal before any sub-skill runs 3. **Channel type detection** loads the matching template (education, entertainment, tutorial, etc.) for niche-specific benchmarks 4. **Sub-skills** load only the reference files they need, execute step-by-step, and produce structured output 5. **Quality gates** verify specificity, data grounding, and completeness before delivery --- ## Installation ### Prerequisites - [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) CLI installed and configured ### Quick Install Clone this repo into your Claude Code skills directory: ```bash git clone https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/claude-youtube.git cp -r claude-youtube/skills/claude-youtube ~/.claude/skills/claude-youtube ``` Or symlink for development: ```bash git clone https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/claude-youtube.git ~/claude-youtube ln -s ~/claude-youtube/skills/claude-youtube ~/.claude/skills/claude-youtube ``` ### Optional: YouTube API (for live channel data) The skill works without API credentials by accepting manual data input. For automated data fetching: 1. Get a YouTube Data API v3 key from [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/library/youtube.googleapis.com) 2. Set the environment variable: ```bash export YOUTUBE_API_KEY="your-api-key-here" ``` 3. For private analytics (own channel), set up OAuth 2.0 credentials ### Optional: DataForSEO MCP (for live keyword/trend data) When configured, the skill uses live data for keyword research, YouTube SERP analysis, trend intelligence, and competitive research. Without it, the skill falls back to WebSearch. Add to `~/.claude/settings.json` under `mcpServers`: ```json { "dataforseo": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "dataforseo-mcp-server"], "env": { "DATAFORSEO_USERNAME": "your-username", "DATAFORSEO_PASSWORD": "your-password", "ENABLED_MODULES": "SERP,KEYWORDS_DATA,DATAFORSEO_LABS,ONPAGE" } } } ``` Typical workflow costs $0.002-$0.04 per command. See [DataForSEO pricing](https://dataforseo.com/pricing). ### Optional: NanoBanana MCP (for AI thumbnail generation) When configured, the `/youtube thumbnail` command generates actual thumbnail images using Gemini models instead of just text briefs. ```json { "nanobanana": { "command": "uvx", "args": ["nanobanana-mcp-server"], "env": { "GEMINI_API_KEY": "your-gemini-api-key" } } } ``` --- ## Usage After installation, use any command in Claude Code: ``` > /youtube audit > /youtube ideate > /youtube script "How to Build a PC in 2025" > /youtube thumbnail > /youtube seo ``` The skill will ask for any missing context (channel niche, size, goal) before running. ### Multi-command workflows Commands chain naturally: ``` > Help me plan and script my next video about meal prep for beginners ``` This triggers `ideate` -> `script` -> `metadata` sequentially, passing output between each step. --- ## Reference Data All benchmarks and statistics in the reference guides are sourced and tagged: - **CTR benchmarks by niche** -- Focus Digital, December 2025 - **Retention data** -- 10xCreator, Wistia, AIR Media-Tech - **Algorithm mechanics** -- Retention Rabbit (150M+ minutes analyzed), vidIQ (5.08M channels) - **Shorts algorithm** -- 35B views study, Tubefilter, Digital i - **Monetization rates** -- YouTube Creator Academy, industry reports - **SEO rules** -- 10xCreator (3M+ videos analyzed), Backlinko, HubSpot - **MrBeast methodology** -- Validated at 100M+ views/video scale Data points tagged with `[2025]` reflect 2024-2025 platform changes. --- ## Requirements | Requirement | Required | Notes | |-------------|----------|-------| | Claude Code | Yes | Core dependency | | Python 3.8+ | For execution scripts | Not needed if providing data manually | | YouTube API key | No | Enables automated channel data fetching | | DataForSEO MCP | No | Enables live keyword/trend data | | NanoBanana MCP | No | Enables AI thumbnail generation | --- ## Contributing This project is in beta. Issues, bug reports, and feature suggestions are welcome via [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/claude-youtube/issues). --- ## License MIT License. See [LICENSE](https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/claude-youtube/tree/HEAD/LICENSE) for details. --- ## Author Built by [Agrici Daniel](https://agricidaniel.com/about) - AI Workflow Architect. - [Blog](https://agricidaniel.com/blog) - Deep dives on AI marketing automation - [AI Marketing Hub](https://www.skool.com/ai-marketing-hub) - Free community, 2,800+ members - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@AgriciDaniel) - Tutorials and demos - [All open-source tools](https://github.com/AgriciDaniel)