How to use the command 'ytfzf' (with examples)

The tool ytfzf is a command-line utility designed to enhance the user’s experience when searching and downloading multimedia content from YouTube and other platforms. It is a streamlined, POSIX shell script that allows users to find videos, download them, and play their audio portions with great ease and customization. Not only does it facilitate searching and playing content from YouTube, but it also allows access to content from PeerTube, providing multiple possibilities for media consumption. Here are various use cases of the ytfzf command explained with practical examples.

Use case 1: Search for videos on YouTube with thumbnail previews

Code:

ytfzf --show-thumbnails search_pattern

Motivation: Imagine you’re searching for a specific video but don’t remember its exact title. Viewing thumbnails directly in the search can trigger visual memory and help in identifying the correct video quickly without needing to open each video in a browser just to check its content. This saves time and provides a neat, visual overview of search results.

Explanation:

• --show-thumbnails: This option enables the viewing of video thumbnails directly in the terminal. It uses an ASCII-based preview to display a list of potential video matches.
• search_pattern: Replace this with your search keyword or phrase for the video you are looking for.

Example output:

1. [thumbnail] Video Title 1
2. [thumbnail] Video Title 2
3. [thumbnail] Video Title 3
...

Use case 2: Play only the audio of the first item in a loop

Code:

ytfzf --audio-only --auto-select --loop search_pattern

Motivation: Suppose you’re interested in listening to a podcast episode or music video without watching the video, perhaps to save bandwidth or battery life. You’d also like it to play repeatedly without manually restarting it after it ends—perfect for background listening or for use in situations like meditation or concentration sessions.

Explanation:

• --audio-only: Plays only the audio from the search result, useful when video is not needed or wanted.
• --auto-select: Automatically selects the first item from the search results to play.
• --loop: Continuously plays the selected item until manually stopped.
• search_pattern: The keywords or name of the audio content you are interested in.

Example output:

Now Playing: Audio of "First Item Title"
(Replays automatically after completion)

Use case 3: Download a video from the history

Code:

ytfzf --download --choose-from-history

Motivation: There may be times when you have watched a video you would like to download later for offline viewing, but you haven’t noted its title. With ytfzf, you can easily download videos from your watch history without having to search for them all over again.

Explanation:

• --download: Triggers the download process for the selected video.
• --choose-from-history: Presents you with a selection of videos you have watched recently, allowing you to choose which one to download.

Example output:

Downloading: "Previously Watched Video Title"
Downloaded successfully to /path/to/your/downloads

Use case 4: Play all the music found in a search

Code:

ytfzf --audio-only --select-all search_pattern

Motivation: Perfect for when you want to create an instant playlist based on a search term, this use case is ideal for parties, travel playlists, or exploring new artists and genres. Rather than playing or downloading each track individually, you can effortlessly select all and dive into the auditory experience.

Explanation:

• --audio-only: Ensures only the audio of each item is played for continuous listening.
• --select-all: Chooses all items in the search list for batch playback.
• search_pattern: Search term related to the music or artist you are interested in exploring.

Example output:

Playing: 
1. "Song Title 1" 
2. "Song Title 2" 
3. "Song Title 3"
...

Use case 5: See the trending videos in an external menu

Code:

ytfzf --trending --ext-menu search_pattern

Motivation: If you’re interested in knowing what’s currently trending without being locked into YouTube’s interface, this feature is handy. It provides trending content related to a specific search or across general categories, allowing for discovery of popular videos in a distraction-free manner.

Explanation:

• --trending: Flags the command to look for trending videos instead of a standard search.
• --ext-menu: Uses an external menu to present the trending video list, providing a separate interface for easier navigation.
• search_pattern: This can be used to specify content in a particular category or leave it broad to see general trends.

Example output:

Trending: 
1. "Trending Video Title 1" 
2. "Trending Video Title 2" 
...
Use arrow keys to navigate, and ENTER to select.

Use case 6: Search on PeerTube instead of YouTube

Code:

ytfzf --peertube search_pattern

Motivation: PeerTube is a decentralized video platform, and when content from less mainstream or community-centric sources is desired, searching directly on PeerTube is advantageous. This option is particularly useful for accessing diverse content that may not be available on YouTube or for supporting decentralized media platforms.

Explanation:

• --peertube: Directs the search command towards PeerTube instead of the default YouTube.
• search_pattern: Represents the keywords you’re interested in when searching on PeerTube.

Example output:

Searching PeerTube for: search_pattern
1. Video Title 1 - channel_name
2. Video Title 2 - channel_name
...

Conclusion:

The command-line tool ytfzf is a versatile and efficient instrument for any user interested in managing their video discovery, playback, and download tasks directly from the terminal. By offering varied options such as thumbnail previews, history-based downloads, and PeerTube searches, ytfzf simplifies the multimedia experience by bringing functionality and flexibility to the terminal environment.