Telegram YouTube Downloader Bot

A simple Telegram bot that downloads videos or extracts audio from YouTube links using yt-dlp and exposes the downloaded files via a public URL you host.

The bot provides two commands:

• /v <youtube_url> — download the full video
• /a <youtube_url> — download audio only (MP3)

Features

• Uses yt-dlp for reliable YouTube downloading
• Optional audio-only extraction via ffmpeg
• Generates a public download link based on your configured domain
• Asynchronous, built on python-telegram-bot v20+

Prerequisites

• Python 3.10+
• Telegram Bot Token (from @BotFather)
• System packages:
  • yt-dlp
  • ffmpeg
• A publicly accessible domain or URL to serve the downloaded files (e.g., Nginx serving a directory)

Install yt-dlp and ffmpeg

• Debian/Ubuntu:
  • sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y yt-dlp ffmpeg
• Fedora:
  • sudo dnf install -y yt-dlp ffmpeg
• Arch:
  • sudo pacman -S yt-dlp ffmpeg
• macOS (Homebrew):
  • brew install yt-dlp ffmpeg

Get a Telegram Bot Token from BotFather

1. Open Telegram and start a chat with @BotFather.
2. Send the command /newbot and follow the prompts (choose a name and a username).
3. BotFather will reply with an HTTP API token — copy this token; you will use it as BOT_TOKEN.
4. You can also set your bot description, profile photo, and commands via BotFather if you wish.

Environment Variables

Create a .env file in the project root or provide these variables via your environment.

Required variables:

• BOT_TOKEN — the token from @BotFather
• DOWNLOAD_DOMAIN — the base public URL from which your files will be served (e.g., https://files.example.com)
• DOWNLOAD_PATH — absolute path on the server where the bot will write files (this directory must be served by your web server)

Notes:

• The bot will create the DOWNLOAD_PATH directory if it doesn’t exist.
• Ensure your web server (e.g., Nginx/Apache/Caddy) serves DOWNLOAD_PATH at DOWNLOAD_DOMAIN so that generated links are reachable.

Installation

1. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/innerfly/yt-dlp-telegram-bot.git cd yt-dlp-telegram-bot

2. Create and activate a virtual environment (recommended): python -m venv .venv source .venv/bin/activate

3. Install Python dependencies: pip install -r requirements.txt

4. Ensure yt-dlp and ffmpeg are installed at the system level (see above).

5. Set environment variables (via .env or your process manager) as described.

Running the bot

• python bot.py

• Use a process manager (supervisor, systemd, docker, etc.) to keep the bot running.

The bot will start polling. In your Telegram client, message your bot /v <youtube_url>, and if the download succeeds, the bot replies with a public link like: https://files.example.com/Some_Title-VIDEOID.mp4

Security considerations

• Downloads are publicly accessible if your DOWNLOAD_DOMAIN is public. Consider periodic cleanup or restricted access if necessary.
• Never commit your .env or bot token to version control.