Install
Ypb works on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
There are two installation methods available:
- Pre-built binaries: Install platform-specific binaries along with additional dependencies
- Container image: Run in a container with all dependencies bundled
Choosing installation method
The choice depends on your current setup and usage:
| Feature | Pre-built binaries | Container image |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | You already have yt-dlp and FFmpeg installed with additional dependencies | You want a self-contained setup with all dependencies |
| Installation | Manual installation of binaries and dependencies | Requires Podman or Docker |
| Updates | Manual updating of all dependencies | Updating container image |
Requirements
While ypb itself is lightweight, it relies on yt-dlp:
-
yt-dlp: For video info extraction and downloading. Nightly builds are recommended. If you use binaries, update with:
yt-dlp --update-to nightly -
FFmpeg (optional): For muxing downloads with
ypb download.
Additional dependencies
The following dependencies are optional but strongly recommended:
-
External JavaScript runtime: Required for full YouTube support
-
Proof-of-Origin (PO) token provider plugin: Required to avoid HTTP 403 errors