youtube

# YouTube

Manage YouTube resources using the `yutu` CLI — videos, playlists, comments, channels, captions, subscriptions, and more.

## Quick Start

1. Ensure `yutu` is installed and authenticated. If not, follow [references/setup.md](references/setup.md).
2. Identify the resource and operation from the tables below.
3. Run `yutu <resource> <operation> -h` for full flag details on any command.
4. For multistep tasks (upload + thumbnail + playlist), see [references/workflows.md](references/workflows.md).

## Key Principles

- Always verify before destructive operations — deletions are irreversible.
- Use `--output json` when you need to parse or chain results.
- Get your channel ID with `yutu channel list --mine` — many operations need it.
- When updating metadata, only specify the fields you want to change.

## Operations

### Content

| Resource | Operation | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| caption | delete | Delete captions |
| caption | download | Download a caption |
| caption | insert | Insert a caption |
| caption | list | List captions |
| caption | update | Update a video caption |
| thumbnail | set | Set a thumbnail for a video |
| video | delete | Delete videos |
| video | getRating | Get video ratings |
| video | insert | Upload a video |
| video | list | List video information |
| video | rate | Rate a video |
| video | reportAbuse | Report abuse on a video |
| video | update | Update a video |
| watermark | set | Set a watermark for channel's videos |
| watermark | unset | Unset a watermark for channel's videos |

### Organization

| Resource | Operation | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| playlist | delete | Delete playlists |
| playlist | insert | Create a new playlist |
| playlist | list | List playlist information |
| playlist | update | Update a playlist |
| playlist image | delete | Delete playlist images |
| playlist image | insert | Insert a playlist image |
| playlist image | list | List playlist images |
| playlist image | update | Update a playlist image |
| playlist item | delete | Delete items from a playlist |
| playlist item | insert | Insert a playlist item into a playlist |
| playlist item | list | List playlist items |
| playlist item | update | Update a playlist item |

### Community

| Resource | Operation | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| comment | delete | Delete comments |
| comment | insert | Create a comment |
| comment | list | List comments |
| comment | markAsSpam | Mark comments as spam |
| comment | setModerationStatus | Set comment moderation status |
| comment | update | Update a comment on a video |
| comment thread | insert | Insert a new comment thread |
| comment thread | list | List comment threads |
| member | list | List channel members |
| memberships level | list | List memberships levels |
| subscription | delete | Delete subscriptions |
| subscription | insert | Insert a new subscription |
| subscription | list | List subscription information |
| super chat event | list | List Super Chat events |

### Channel

| Resource | Operation | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| channel | list | List channel information |
| channel | update | Update channel information |
| channel banner | insert | Insert a channel banner |
| channel section | delete | Delete channel sections |
| channel section | list | List channel sections |
| third party link | delete | Delete a third-party link |
| third party link | insert | Insert a new third-party link |
| third party link | list | List third-party links |
| third party link | update | Update a third-party link |

### Discovery

| Resource | Operation | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| activity | list | List activities |
| search | list | Search resources |

### Metadata

| Resource | Operation | Description |
|----------|-----------|-------------|
| i18n language | list | List i18n languages |
| i18n region | list | List i18n regions |
| video abuse report reason | list | List video abuse report reasons |
| video category | list | List video categories |

## Common Workflows

See [references/workflows.md](references/workflows.md) for step-by-step walkthroughs of each task below.

| Task | Quick Command |
|------|---------------|
| Upload a video | `yutu video insert --file video.mp4 --title "..." --privacy public` |
| Update video metadata | `yutu video list --ids ID` then `yutu video update --id ID --title "..."` |
| Create playlist + add videos | `yutu playlist insert` → `yutu playlistItem insert` |
| Post a comment | `yutu commentThread insert --channelId ... --videoId ... --textOriginal "..."` |
| Channel analytics | `yutu channel list --mine --output json` |
| Competitor analysis | `yutu channel list --forHandle @handle --output json` |
| Delete content | Always `list` first, then `delete` — irreversible |
| Subscribe/unsubscribe | Check `yutu subscription list --mine --forChannelId ...` before acting |

## YouTube Growth Tips

See [references/seo-guide.md](references/seo-guide.md) for the full guide. When uploading or updating video metadata, apply these principles:

- **Titles**: Curiosity gaps + power words. Front-load keywords. Under 60 characters.
- **Descriptions**: First 2 lines appear in search. Include keywords, timestamps, CTAs, 3-5 hashtags.
- **Tags**: Mix broad and long-tail keywords. First 2-3 tags carry the most weight.
- **Thumbnails**: High contrast, 3-4 word text, expressive faces, consistent branding.
- **Publishing**: Post when audience is active. Consistent schedule matters.
- **Engagement**: Pin a comment with a question. Reply within the first hour.