YouTube Workflow Skill

Complete content creation and publishing workflow for the {{CHANNEL_HANDLE}} YouTube channel.

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CRITICAL: Agent Spawning Requirement

You MUST use the Task tool to spawn specialized agents. Do NOT handle this workflow directly.

Agent Routing

Command	Agent to Spawn
/youtube idea "Topic"	@youtube-creator
/youtube full "Topic"	@youtube-creator
/youtube publish "Topic"	@youtube-publisher

How to Execute

For idea or full:

Task tool:
  subagent_type: "youtube-creator"
  prompt: "[idea/full] Create [content type] about [topic]. Follow youtube-creator agent instructions."

For publish:

Task tool:
  subagent_type: "youtube-publisher"
  prompt: "Publish video about [topic]. Verify upload, move files, create social-content.json, update index."

Parallel Execution for Multiple Ideas

When user provides multiple video ideas, spawn multiple @youtube-creator agents in parallel:

Example: User wants 3 video ideas captured

Task 1: subagent_type: "youtube-creator" → Idea 1
Task 2: subagent_type: "youtube-creator" → Idea 2
Task 3: subagent_type: "youtube-creator" → Idea 3

All three run concurrently for faster completion.

When to use parallel agents:

• Multiple video ideas in one request
• Time-sensitive content needing quick turnaround

When sequential is required:

• /youtube full followed by /youtube publish (depends on creation completing)
• Single video workflow

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Voice & Brand Integration

CRITICAL: All content MUST follow your channel's writing style and brand principles.

Voice Reference

Read writing-style.md before generating any content:

• Direct, friendly, honest, solution-focused
• Short sentences (5-15 words ideal)
• Start with action, use questions to engage
• Phrases: "Here's the thing...", "Let me show you.", "No fluff. Just what works."
• Strategic emoji usage (not spam)
• Correct grammar always

Brand Reference

Read 03-YouTube/channel-overview.md for core principles:

• Complete data ownership
• Zero-trust security
• Independence over convenience
• Practitioner credibility ("I use this for my clients")

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Content Creation Methodology

6-Step Script Process

Step 1: Structured Outline Create roadmap with main sections and estimated timestamps.

Step 2: Attention-Grabbing Hook (0:00-0:30) First 30 seconds must capture attention using:

• Pattern interrupt: Challenge common assumption
• Question hook: Ask something they've wondered
• Result preview: Show the end result first
• Story opening: Brief relatable scenario

Step 3: Scene-by-Scene Narration Write full script following outline. Include:

• Clear section transitions
• Practical examples and demonstrations
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Pro tips throughout

Step 4: Visual Cues Embed [Visual: description] cues throughout for B-roll guidance:

[Visual: Screen recording of terminal]
[Visual: Diagram showing data flow]
[Visual: Close-up of config file]

Step 5: Call-to-Action & Outro End with:

• Recap of key takeaways (3 max)
• Clear CTA (subscribe, comment, like)
• Tease next video or related content

Step 6: Metadata Package Generate: description, hashtags, thumbnail text.

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Pacing Guidelines

~150 words = 1 minute of video

Video Length	Word Count	Sections
5 minutes	~750 words	3-4 sections
10 minutes	~1500 words	5-6 sections
15 minutes	~2250 words	7-8 sections
20 minutes	~3000 words	8-10 sections

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Featured Video Reference

CRITICAL: When video topic relates to self-hosting, ALWAYS reference your featured video.

Video: {{FEATURED_VIDEO_URL}} Title: {{FEATURED_VIDEO_TITLE}}

Topics that require this reference:

• Self-hosting (explicit)
• Docker, containers, Kubernetes
• Home lab, homelab
• Server setup, VPS
• Pangolin, Authentik, CrowdSec
• Reverse proxy, SSL, tunnels
• Data ownership, privacy
• Infrastructure (self-hosted context)

Where to include:

• Description.md: In "Related videos" section
• Pinned-comment.md: At end with "New to self-hosting?" line

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Topic Research (For Tool/Application Videos)

CRITICAL: When creating content about a specific tool, application, or project, ALWAYS research and include official resources.

When to Research

Research is REQUIRED when video topic includes:

• Named software tools (Docker, Kubernetes, Restic, Authentik, etc.)
• Named applications (Nextcloud, Immich, Jellyfin, etc.)
• Named services (Cloudflare, Tailscale, etc.)
• Named libraries or frameworks

Research is NOT required for:

• General concepts (CI/CD explained, backup strategies, etc.)
• Built-in features (Linux commands, bash scripting, etc.)
• Opinion/comparison videos without single tool focus
• News/update videos

Research Outputs

For each tool/application, find and include:

Item	Required	Notes
Official Website	Yes	Main landing page
Documentation	Yes	Official docs site
GitHub Repository	Yes (if open-source)	Main repo URL
Open-source status	Yes	Check license
Developer/Team name	Yes (for acknowledgment)	Who maintains it
GitHub Sponsors	If available	Check FUNDING.yml or Sponsors button
Open Collective	If available	Search on Open Collective
Commercial/SaaS offering	If available	Paid version or hosted offering

Acknowledgment Guidelines

For open-source projects, include genuine acknowledgment:

• Name the developers/team specifically
• Mention the specific benefit their work provides
• Keep it authentic (your voice, not corporate)

Good: "A huge thank you to the Authentik team for creating and maintaining Authentik as an open-source project. Their work makes enterprise-grade authentication accessible to everyone."

Bad: "Thanks to the developers for this software." (too generic)

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Thumbnail Text Requirements

Every script includes thumbnail text:

BOLD TEXT: 3-5 words (main attention grabber)

• Use caps for emphasis
• Create curiosity or promise result
• Examples: "STOP PAYING FOR THIS", "THE HIDDEN DANGER", "10X FASTER"

Description: 13-18 words

• Expand on the bold text
• Include specific benefit or outcome
• Examples: "Learn the exact backup strategy I use to protect my clients' servers from data loss forever"

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File Organization

Ideas

Location: 03-YouTube/ideas/ Naming: YYYY-MM-DD-topic-slug.md Tags: #status/idea #platform/youtube

Drafts (Active Production)

Location: 03-YouTube/drafts/YYYY-MM-DD-topic-slug/ Contents:

• script.md - Full video script
• description.md - YouTube description
• thumbnail-text.md - Bold + description text
• pinned-comment.md - Pinned comment for engagement Tags: #status/draft #platform/youtube

Published

Location: 03-YouTube/published/YYYY/topic-slug/ Contents:

• video.md - YouTube metadata (ID, URL, duration, date)
• script.md - Final script
• description.md - Final description
• thumbnail-text.md - Thumbnail text used
• pinned-comment.md - Pinned comment used
• social-content.json - Structured data for social posts Tags: #status/published #platform/youtube

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Templates

For detailed structures, see:

• [[SCRIPT_TEMPLATE]] - Full script structure
• [[IDEA_TEMPLATE]] - Quick idea capture
• [[DESCRIPTION_TEMPLATE]] - SEO-optimized description
• [[PINNED_COMMENT_TEMPLATE]] - Engagement comment

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Standard Links (ALWAYS Include)

Connect:

• Discord (questions, help): {{DISCORD_URL}}
• Business inquiries: {{BUSINESS_URL}}

Follow:

• LinkedIn: {{LINKEDIN_URL}}
• Facebook: {{FACEBOOK_URL}}
• Twitter: {{TWITTER_URL}}

Reviews: {{REVIEWS_URL}}

These links go in:

1. Description.md - Full links block
2. Pinned-comment.md - Abbreviated version

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Quality Checklist

Before completing any content:

• Sounds like your channel voice, not AI
• Hook grabs attention in first 10 seconds
• Clear structure with logical flow
• Practical examples included
• [Visual:] cues embedded
• CTA present
• Grammar and spelling correct
• Thumbnail text: 3-5 bold words + 13-18 word description
• Pinned comment created with engagement hook
• Standard links included in description and pinned comment
• Featured video referenced (if applicable)
• Topic research completed (for tool/app videos)
• Official links included (website, docs, GitHub)
• Open-source acknowledgment (for open-source projects)
• Support options included (sponsorship, SaaS - when available)
• Proper file location and naming
• Correct tags applied