https://github.com/agricidaniel/claude-youtube
Claude Code skill for YouTube creators — channel audits, video SEO, retention scripts, thumbnails, content strategy, Shorts optimization, analytics, monetization, and more.
https://github.com/agricidaniel/claude-youtube
ai-tools claude claude-code claude-code-skill content-strategy seo youtube youtube-analytics youtube-api youtube-seo
Last synced: about 2 months ago
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Claude Code skill for YouTube creators — channel audits, video SEO, retention scripts, thumbnails, content strategy, Shorts optimization, analytics, monetization, and more.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/agricidaniel/claude-youtube
- Owner: AgriciDaniel
- License: mit
- Created: 2026-03-05T19:50:38.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-03-09T09:21:18.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-03-10T00:46:34.662Z (about 2 months ago)
- Topics: ai-tools, claude, claude-code, claude-code-skill, content-strategy, seo, youtube, youtube-analytics, youtube-api, youtube-seo
- Language: Python
- Size: 139 KB
- Stars: 11
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Contributing: CONTRIBUTING.md
- License: LICENSE
- Security: SECURITY.md
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README
# 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](LICENSE) for details.