Introduction
# ClawHub - YouTube Video Clipper & Downloader
Extract specific sections from YouTube videos with precise timestamps. A powerful ClawHub skill that makes video clipping effortless - just provide a URL and time range.
## Overview
ClawHub is designed primarily for **video clipping** - extracting specific time ranges from YouTube videos. Whether you need a 30-second highlight, a 5-minute tutorial segment, or any custom time range, ClawHub handles it with precision. It also supports full video downloads, audio extraction, and quality selection when needed.
## Key Features
### Primary: Video Clipping - **Precise Timestamp-Based Clipping**: Extract any time range (MM:SS or HH:MM:SS) - **Quality Selection**: Clip in 720p, 1080p, or best available - **Audio Clipping**: Extract audio clips as MP3 - **Fast Processing**: Optimized for quick clip extraction
### Secondary: Full Downloads - Download complete videos in various qualities - Extract full audio tracks - Custom output filenames and formats
## Usage
### Basic Syntax ``` /clawhub <youtube-url> [options] ```
## Clipping Examples (Primary Use)
### Clip a specific section ``` /clawhub https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ --clip 00:30-02:15 ``` Extracts from 30 seconds to 2 minutes 15 seconds.
### Clip with quality selection ``` /clawhub https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ --clip 01:00-03:30 --quality 1080p ``` Extracts a 1080p clip from 1 minute to 3 minutes 30 seconds.
### Clip audio only ``` /clawhub https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ --clip 00:10-01:00 --audio-only ``` Extracts audio from 10 seconds to 1 minute as MP3.
### Clip with custom filename ``` /clawhub https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ --clip 02:00-04:30 --output highlight.mp4 ```
### Clip tutorial section ``` /clawhub https://youtube.com/watch?v=tutorial123 --clip 05:20-12:45 --quality 720p ``` Perfect for extracting specific tutorial steps.
### Clip music section ``` /clawhub https://youtube.com/watch?v=music456 --clip 01:15-02:30 --audio-only --output chorus.mp3 ```
## Download Examples (Secondary Use)
### Download full video ``` /clawhub https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ ```
### Download in specific quality ``` /clawhub https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ --quality 720p ```
### Extract full audio ``` /clawhub https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ --audio-only ```
## Available Options
| Option | Description | Example | |--------|-------------|---------| | `--clip <start>-<end>` | **PRIMARY FEATURE** - Clip from start to end time | `--clip 00:30-02:15` | | `--quality <resolution>` | Specify quality (720p, 1080p, best) | `--quality 1080p` | | `--audio-only` | Extract audio as MP3 | `--audio-only` | | `--output <filename>` | Custom output filename | `--output my_clip.mp4` | | `--format <format>` | Output format (mp4, mkv, webm, mp3) | `--format mkv` |
## Time Format for Clipping
The skill accepts flexible timestamp formats: - **MM:SS**: `01:30` (1 minute 30 seconds) - **HH:MM:SS**: `01:15:30` (1 hour 15 minutes 30 seconds) - **M:SS**: `1:30` (same as 01:30) - **SS**: `90` (converted to 01:30)
## How Clipping Works
1. You provide a YouTube URL and time range 2. Claude parses your timestamps 3. The skill extracts just that section using optimized methods: - **Method 1**: yt-dlp's native clipping (fastest) - **Method 2**: ffmpeg precise cutting (fallback) 4. Your clip is saved to the current directory
## Use Cases
### Content Creators - Extract highlights for shorts or reels - Clip reaction sections - Create compilation segments - Extract B-roll footage
### Educators - Clip specific tutorial steps - Extract lecture segments - Create study materials - Share specific explanations
### Musicians - Extract song sections - Clip audio for remixes - Get specific verses or choruses - Create practice loops
### Researchers - Extract relevant video segments - Create timestamped references - Archive specific content - Analyze particular sections
## Output Location
All clips and downloads are saved to your current working directory. You can specify a custom path using the `--output` flag.
## Important Notes
- **Pure Python solution** - no binary dependencies, just Python - **Auto-installs dependencies** - yt-dlp Python module installed automatically if needed - **Clipping is optimized and fast** - no need to download full videos first - **Quality is maintained** - clips preserve the original video quality - **Copyright matters** - only clip content you have rights to access - **Flexible timestamps** - use whatever format is natural for you - **Minimal setup** - Python is usually pre-installed, everything else is automatic
## Technical Details
- **Language**: Pure Python implementation - **Primary Library**: yt-dlp Python module (auto-installed via pip) - **Audio Processing**: ffmpeg (required for audio extraction, usually pre-installed) - **Supported Formats**: All standard video and audio formats - **URL Support**: youtube.com, youtu.be, and all YouTube URL variants - **Installation**: Fully automatic - checks and installs yt-dlp module as needed
## Troubleshooting
### Clip not extracting correctly The skill will automatically try alternate methods if the first approach fails.
### Invalid timestamps Use format: MM:SS or HH:MM:SS (e.g., `01:30` or `01:15:30`)
### Video unavailable Verify the YouTube URL is correct and the video is publicly accessible.
## License
MIT License
## Support
For issues or questions, visit the project repository or submit feedback through ClawHub.