Is it not possible to specify the path but not the filename?

[snipe]

If I try to use --t and -o, I get an error saying there is a conflict, which makes sense if this works the way it seems to. I'm hoping to be able to retain the original title in the filename, but specify what directory it is downloaded in. I didn't see this possibility in the docs - am I missing it, or does it not exist?

[phihag]

-t is just an alias for -o "%(stitle)s-%(id)s-%(format)s.%(ext)s". If you want to write to a directory of your choice, just prepend it, like

youtube-dl -o "foo/bar/directory/%(stitle)s-%(id)s-%(format)s.%(ext)s"