Ubuntu Manpage: ytfzf - search and play videos

NAME

       ytfzf - search and play videos

SYNOPSIS

       ytfzf [options] [search-query]

       ytfzf [options] -

DESCRIPTION

       ytfzf is a POSIX script that helps you find videos from Youtube, Peertube or Odysee (without API) and
       opens/downloads them using mpv/youtube-dl.

SEARCH OPERATORS

       Search operators are special search queries.

       Standard search operators include:

              :help  Prints a possibly brief description of how to use the scraper.

       Addon scrapers may have more or less search operators

SHORTCUTS

       These shortcuts will apply in any menu that supports it.
       The only menu that currently supports it is fzf.
       Shortcuts starting with alt, will exit the menu, shortcuts starting with ctrl will not.
       To change any of the defaults set the corresponding variable in your configuration file.

       download
              alt-d (download_shortcut)

       watch video
              alt-v (video_shortcut)

       audio only
              alt-m (audio_shortcut)

       detatch
              alt-e (detach_shortcut)

       print link
              alt-l (print_link_shortcut)

       show formats
              alt-f (show_formats_shortcut)

       show all info
              alt-i (info_shortcut)

       new search
              alt-s (search_again_shortcut)

       scrape next page
              ctrl-p (next_page_action_shortcut)

OPTIONS

Information

-h, --help
Show help text.

--version
Show ytfzf's version.

How to play the selected videos.

-d, --download
Download the selected videos. This can also be set in the config file with is_download.

-m, --audio-only
Play audio only. This can also be set in the config file with is_audio_only.

-f, --formats
Show available formats before proceeding.

--format-selection=screen
The format selection screen type to use.

Types:

normal

simple
This can also be set in the config file with format_selection_screen.

--format-sort=sort
The --format-sort to use in ytdl. This can also be set in the config file with
format_selection_sort.

--video-pref=pref
Set the ytdl video format to pref. This can also be set in the config file with
video_pref.

--audio-pref=pref
Set the ytdl audio format to pref. This can also be set in the config file with
audio_pref.

--ytdl-pref=pref
Set the ytdl format to pref. This can also be set in the config file with ytdl_pref.

--detach
Detach the video player from the terminal. This can also be set in the config file with
is_detach.

-u, --url-handler=handler
The function/program to use as a url handler. This can also be set in the config file by
adding load_url_handler <handler>.

-I option
Instead of playing the selected videos, get information about them in the selected format.
The available options are:

L|l|link
Prints the URL of the selected videos.

VJ|vj|video-json
Prints the json of the selected videos.

J|j|json
Prints the json of all the videos in the search results.

F|f|format
Prints the video format being used.

R|r|raw
Prints the data of the selected videos, as appears in the menu.

-L Alias for -I L

--info-action=Iaction
The action to do when --info-wait is 1. info_wait_action.

--info-wait=number
Whether or not to wait after printing info requested with -I or -L. This can also be set
in the config file with info_wait.

--url-handler-opts=opts
Opts to pass to the url handler, by default this will pass extra opts to mpv. This can also be
set in the config file with url_handler_opts.

Menu options

-l, --loop
Reopen the menu when the video stops playing. This can also be set in the config file with
is_loop.

-s, --search-again
After closing fzf make another search. This can also be set in the config file with
search_again.

-t, --show-thumbnails
Show thumbnails. Doesn't work with -D or -H. This can also be set in the config file with
show_thumbnails.

--async-thumbnails
Whether or not to download thumbnails asynchronously.
Downloading asynchronously will open the menu before all thumbnails are downloaded. This
can also be set in the config file with async_thumbnails.

--skip-thumb-download
Whether or not to skip the thumbnail download. This is used if you want to not have
thumbnails, or use custom thumbnails in $YTFZF_CUSTOM_THUMBNAILS_DIR.
For more info see CUSTOM THUMBNAILS in ytfzf(5)
This can also be set in the config file with skip_thumb_download.

--notify-playing
Show notifications when a video is about to be played, and other notifications relating to
playing videos. This can also be set in the config file with notify_playing.

--preview-side=side
The preview side in fzf.
Options:

left

right

down
This can also be changed in the config file with fzf_preview_side.

-T, --thumb-viewer=program
Use program for displaying thumbnails.
Built-in programs:

chafa,chafa-16,chafa-tty
chafa, chafa with 16 colors, chafa with 4 colors.

catimg,catimg-256
catimg, catimg with 256 colors.

imv Good with tiling window managers.

mpv Similar to imv.

swayimg
Only works on the sway wayland compositor.

swayimg-hyprland
Only works on the hyprland compositor. Uses swayimg to render an image.

<custom>
Additional viewers can be put into $YTFZF_THUMBNAIL_VIEWERS_DIR.
This can also be changed in the config file by adding
load_thumbnail_viewer <viewer>.

-D, --external-menu
Use an external menu instead of fzf. The default is dmenu. This can also be set in the
config file with interface="ext".

-i, --interface=interface
Use a custom interface script, which would be in $YTFZF_CUSTOM_INTERFACES_DIR. This can
also be set in the config file by adding load_interface <interface>.

--sort Sorts videos (after scraping) by upload date. This can also be set in the config file by
adding is_sort.

--sort-name=name
Calls a function set in $YTFZF_CONFIG_FILE. Or sources a script in $YTFZF_SORT_NAMES_DIR
(if it exists). See SORT NAMES in ytfzf(5) for more information.

--fancy-subs
Whether or not to have a separator between each subscription. When this option is used it
automatically disables --sort as it will mess up this option.
This can also be set in the config file with fancy_subs.

--disable-back
Whether or not to disable the back button in submenus.
This can also be set in the config file with enable_back_button. --disable-actions Whether
or not to disable actions such as submenus and the back button.
This can also be set in the config file with enable_actions.

--disable-submenus
Whether or not to disable submenus.
Submenus are the menus that happen after a playlist or channel (currently only supported by
youtube/invidious) is selected
This can also be set in the config file with enable_submenus.

--keep-vars
Whether or not options passed into ytfzf also get passed into submenus. This can also be
set in the config file with keep_vars.

--submenu-opts=opts
The opts to use in the submenu.
This can also be set in the config file with submenu_opts.

--submenu-scraping-opts=opts
DEPRECATED (use --submenu-opts instead) Does the same thing as --submenu-opts.
This can also be set in the config file with submenu_scraping_opts.

Auto selecting

-a, --auto-select
Auto-play the first result.

-A, --select-all
Select all results.

-r, --random-select
Auto-play a random result.

-S sed address, --select=sed address
Auto-play a specific video.

Examples:

2 Select the second video

$ Select the last video

/^h/ Select all videos starting with h

-n number, --link-count=number
The number of videos to select with -a or -r.

Scrapers

-c scrapers, --scrape=scrapers
Set which scraper to use. Multiple scrapers can be separated by comma (,). The currently
supported builtin scrapers are:

youtube|Y
Scrapes invidious' api with a search query

youtube-channel
Scrapes a youtube channel with youtube

invidious-channel
Scrapes a youtube channel with $invidious_instance
When this scrape is active the search query is the link to a channel.

video-recommended|R
Scrapes recommended videos from an invidious video link

youtube-playlist|invidious-playlist
Scrapes a youtube playlist
When this scrape is active the search query is the link to a playlist.

youtube-trending|T
Scrapes invidious' api to get youtube trending.
When this scrape is active the search query is the tab of trending to scrape.

from-cache
Scrapes a previous scrape that happened using --keep-cache from the saved cache.

M|multi
Uses ytfzf recursively to scrape multiple things with multiple different options
See ytfzf -c M :help for more info
Tabs:

gaming

music

movies

youtube-subscriptions|S|SI
SI Scrapes invidious for channels instead of youtube. Scraping youtube may result in
rate limiting.

scrape-list|SL
uses your $YTFZF_SCRAPELIST_FILE as scrape and search input. See "scrape lists"
ytfzf(5) for more information.

peertube|P

odysee|lbry|O

history|H
(Only if $enable_hist is enabled)

url|U Opens the url in the video player and exits

u Treats the url as an item, and will open fzf, or the external menu.

comments
Scrapes the comments of a video link from youtube

-H, --history
Alias for -c H.
Scrapes history file.

--scrape+=scrapers
Same as -c, but keeps the default scrape as well.

--scraper-=scrapers
Removes scraper from list of scrapers to use

--multi-search
Whether or not to use multi search.
To use multi search, separate each search with a comma, this works well when using multiple
scrapers.
This can also be set in the config file with multi_search.

--force-youtube
When using the youtube scraper, convert the invidious links to youtube links before
playing/downloading.

--force-invidious
When using the youtube scraper, use whatever invidious instance was chosen instead of
converting to youtube links.

Scraper Options

Currently, --video-duration, --type, --thumbnail-quality, and --features only applies to the
scrape: youtube/Y

--pages=amount
Amount of pages to scrape on youtube/invidious, and the comments scraper. This can also be
set in the config file with pages_to_scrape.

--pages-start=page
The page to start on. This can also be set in the config file with pages_start.

--max-threads=amount
Amount of threads that can be used to scrape youtube search, playlists, and channels.
(this does not apply to the subscription scraper).
This can also be set in the config file with max_thread_count.

--single-threaded
Set the max_thread_count to 1, this has the same effect as making everything single
threaded. (this does not apply to the subscription scraper).
This can also bet set in the config file with max_thread_count=1.

--odysee-video-count=amount
Amount of videos to scrape on odysee. This can also be set in the config file with
odysee_video_search_count.

--nsfw Whether or not to search for nsfw videos.
Only works with odysee/O This can also be set in the config file with nsfw.

--sort-by=sort
Works with youtube/Y and odysee/O.
To use a different sort for each scrape, use comma (,) to separate the sorts.
As apposed to --sort, this happens during the search, not after. Results should sort by:

relevance

rating (youtube only)

upload_date

oldest_first (odysee only)

view_count (youtube only)

--upload-date=time-frame
Works with youtube/Y and odysee/O
To use a different sort for each scrape, use comma (,) to separate the dates.
Search for videos within the last:

hour

today

week

month

year

--video-duration=duration
Whether or not to search for long or short videos. Possible options:

short

long

--type=type
The type of results to get.

video

playlist

channel

all

--thumbnail-quality=quality
Select the quality of the thumbnails. Available options:

maxres

maxresdefault

sddefault

high (default)

medium

default

start The first frame of the video (low quality)

middle The middle frame of the video (low quality)

end The end frame of the video (low quality)

--features=features
The features to have on a video (comma separated).

subtitles

creative_commons

live

360

location

hdr

--region
The region (country code) to search.
Supported by the scrapes youtube/Y and youtube-trending/T

Miscellaneous

--ii=instance,--invidious-instance=instance
Use a different invidious instance.

--rii,--refresh-inv-instance
If this flag is provided, refresh instance cache with healthy instances using Invidious API

--available-inv-instances
Prints the invidious instances that may be used and exits.

--channel-link=link
Converts channel links from 'https://youtube.com/c/name' to
'https://youtube.com/channel/id'

-q Use search history instead of a search. This can also be set in the config file with
search_source=hist.

--search-source
The source to use for the search query. Valid values include:

args Use commandline arguments as the search (default)

prompt Ask for a search via a prompt

hist Use search history.

next Used internally to use the next search in the list when multi_search is enabled.

fn-args
Used internally to use the function arguments passed to the function as the source.

<custom>
A custom search source may be used if a function called get_search_from_<source>
exists. The function must set the _search variable to a search.

-x, --history-clear=<search|watch>
Clear search and watch history (if -x or --history-clear is used)
To specify either search or watch history use --history-clear=<search|watch>

--keep-cache
Whether or not to keep cache after ytfzf exists. This can also be set in the config file
with keep_cache.

--ytdl-opts=option
Pass command-line options to youtube-dl when downloading.
example: --ytdl-opts=

--ytdl-path=path
Specify the path to youtube-dl or a fork of youtube-dl for downloading.
This can also be set in the config file with ytdl_path.

-e, --ext=extension
Load an extension.
You may also add load_extension extension to your config file.

--list-addons
Lists all addons and exits.

--thumbnail-log
Sets the file to log thumbnail debug info to. This can also be set in the config file with
thumbnail_debug_log.

CONFIGURATION

       The  default  behaviour  of  ytfzf  can  be  changed by modifying the config file.  See ytfzf(5) for more
       information.

ADDONS

       There are a few types of addons,
       interfaces (-i, --interface)
       scrapers (-c, --scrape)
       sort-names (--sort-name)
       thumbnail-viewers (-T, --thumb-viewer)
       url-handlers (-u, --url_handler)
       extensions (-e, --ext)

       To install an addon, place the addon in $YTFZF_SYSTEM_ADDON_DIR/<addon-type>/addon-name

       To use an addon, use one of the options listed above, or add
       load_interface <interface>
       scrape=<scraper>
       load_sort_name <sort-name>
       load_thumbnail_viewer <viewer>
       load_url_handler <url-handler>
       load_extension <ext>
       In your configuration file

EXIT CODES

       0      Success

       1      General error

       2      Invalid --option, option value, or configuration error.

       3      Missing dependency

       5      Empty search

ENVIRONMENT

       $YTFZF_CONFIG_DIR
              The directory to store config files.  The default is $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/ytfzf (or ~/.config/ytfzf)

       $YTFZF_CONFIG_FILE
              The configuration file to use.  The default is $YTFZF_CONFIG_DIR/conf.sh

       $YTFZF_SUBSCRIPTIONS_FILE
              The subscriptions file to use.  The default is $YTFZF_CONFIG_DIR/subscriptions

       $YTFZF_SCRAPELIST_FILE
              The scrapelist file to use.  The default is $YTFZF_CONFIG_DIR/scrapelist

       $YTFZF_THUMBNAIL_VIEWERS_DIR
              The directory to keep additional thumbnail viewers.  The default  is  $YTFZF_CONFIG_DIR/thumbnail-
              viewers

       $YTFZF_CUSTOM_SCRAPERS_DIR
              The directory to store custom scraper scripts in The default is $YTFZF_CONFIG_DIR/scrapers

       $YTFZF_CUSTOM_INTERFACES_DIR
              The directory to store custom interface scripts in the default is $YTFZF_CONFIG_DIR/interfaces

       $YTFZF_SORT_NAMES_DIR
              The directory to store custom sort-name scripts in the default is $YTFZF_CONFIG_DIR/sort-names

       $YTFZF_URL_HANDLERS_DIR
              The directory to store custom url handlers in the default is $YTFZF_CONFIG_DIR/url-handlers

       $YTFZF_CUSTOM_THUMBNAILS_DIR
              The directory to store custom thumbnails the default is $YTFZF_CONFIG_DIR/thumbnails

       $YTFZF_EXTENSIONS_DIR
              The directory to store extensions the default is $YTFZF_CONFIG_DIR/extensions

       $YTFZF_SYSTEM_ADDON_DIR
              The  directory  to  store  system  installed  addons.   The  default may vary depending on how you
              installed ytfzf.

       $YTFZF_CHECK_VARS_EXISTS
              Whether or not to check if variables are set in the environment  before  setting  default  values.
              The default is 1

       $YTFZF_TEMP_DIR
              The temporary directory The default is is $TMPDIR/ytfzf-$user-id.
              If $TMPDIR is not defined it will use /tmp

FILES

       ~/.config/ytfzf/conf.sh
              The configuration file. If submenu-conf.sh does not exist, this will also be used as the config in
              submenus

       ~/.config/ytfzf/submenu-conf.sh
              The submenu configuration file

       ~/.config/ytfzf/subscriptions
              The subscriptions file.

CACHE

       Each  instance  of  ytfzf  has  its  own directory in $YTFZF_TEMP_DIR, if $keep_cache is enabled, it uses
       $cache_dir instead.
       The structure of each instance folder looks like this: (<> represents a placeholder, ? means optional)
       If an addon scraper is used, it may use undocumented files.
              $cache_dir
              | -- watch_hist
              | -- <search>-<pid>
              |  | -- created-at
              |  | -- searches.list
              |  | -- post-scrape
              |  | -- <submenu-search>-<submenu-pid>?
              |  | -- thumbnails?
              |  | -- environment
              |  | -- tmp
              |  |  | -- curl_config
              |  |  | -- <scrape>.html
              |  |  | -- <scrape>.json
              |  |  | -- <scrape>.json.final?
              |  |  | -- menu_keypress
              |  |  | -- all-ids.list
              |  |  | -- downloaded-ids.list
              |  | -- ids
              |  | -- videos_json

       An explanation of each directory/file:

              created-at
                     Contains the unix timestamp when the folder was created

              searches.list
                     A list of all searches
                     If --multi-search is enabled, each search is separated by a new line

              watch_hist
                     The watch history file.

              <search>-<pid>
                     An instance's parent folder.
                     If no search was given it uses the name "SCRAPE-<scrape>-<pid>" instead.

              post-scrape
                     A folder that contains files relating to the scraping of a selected result.

              <submenu-search>-<submenu-pid>
                     Created when a submenu is opened (eg: when a channel/playlist is selected).

              thumbnails
                     Stores the thumbnails for the instance (only with -t).

              environment
                     Every variable that is set and it's value, in that instance of ytfzf

              tmp    Stores less important temporarily used files.

              curl_config
                     The configuration file for curl for downloading thumbnails (only with -t).

              <scrape>.html
                     For scrapers that need to scrape websites, this is the output of curl.

              <scrape>.json
                     The json scraped from a website.

              <scrape>.json.final
                     The final json scraped from a  website.  (Is  used  when  multiple  threads  are  used  for
                     scraping)

              menu_keypress
                     The key pressed in fzf.

              all-ids.json
                     File that contains all scraped ids. Mainly to compare against downloaded-ids.json

              downloaded-ids.json
                     File that contains which thumbnails have been downloaded

              ids    The file that stores the id of each selected video.

              videos_json
                     The file that stores a json of all videos displayed in fzf.
                     This file is very helpful for making playlists as it is in the same format.

AUTHOR

       Originally written by pystardust.  <https://github.com/pystardust>

BUGS

       Report bugs on github <https://github.com/pystardust/ytfzf/issues>

COPYRIGHT

       ytfzf  is  free  software:  you  can  redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General
       Public License version 3 as published by the Free Software Foundation.

       ytfzf is distributed in the hope that it will be useful  but  WITHOUT  ANY  WARRANTY;  without  even  the
       implied  warranty  of  MERCHANTABILITY  or  FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public
       License for more details.

       You should have received a copy of the GNU  General  Public  License  along  with  ytfzf.   If  not,  see
       <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

ytfzf 2.0                                        2021 September                                         YTFZF(1)