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
- You provide a YouTube URL and time range
- Claude parses your timestamps
- The skill extracts just that section using optimized methods:
- Method 1: yt-dlp's native clipping (fastest)
- Method 2: ffmpeg precise cutting (fallback)
- 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.