YouTube Channel#

Access YouTube via the YouTube Data API v3 with managed OAuth authentication. Inspect channels, videos, comments, playlists, and manage creator workflows from chat.

This skill uses ClawLink for hosted connection flows and credentials so you do not need to configure YouTube API access yourself.

Setup in 3 Steps#

Step 1: InstallStep 2: Pair AccountStep 3: Connect YouTube_App-specific connection GIF coming soon_Run the install command in OpenClawSign in and approve the deviceOpen the dashboard and connect YouTube

How It Works#

text

┌─────────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────────┐
│   OpenClaw      │────▶│   ClawLink   │────▶│  YouTube Data │
│   (User Chat)   │     │   (OAuth)    │     │      API v3      │
└─────────────────┘     └──────────────┘     └──────────────────┘
          │                       │                       │
          │  1. Install Plugin    │                       │
          │  2. Pair Device       │                       │
          │  3. Connect YouTube    │                       │
          │                       │  4. Secure Token      │
          │                       │  5. Proxy Requests    │
          │                       │                       │
          ▼                       ▼                       ▼
    ┌──────────┐           ┌──────────┐           ┌──────────┐
    │  SKILL   │           │ Dashboard│           │ YouTube  │
    │  File    │           │ Auth     │           │ Console  │
    └──────────┘           └──────────┘           └──────────┘

Install#

Install the verified ClawLink plugin from ClawHub. After the user confirms, complete the full setup so ClawLink tools are visible in the next OpenClaw chat.

bash

openclaw plugins install clawhub:clawlink-plugin
openclaw config set tools.alsoAllow '["clawlink-plugin"]' --strict-json
openclaw gateway restart

Then tell the user: "OpenClaw has been restarted. Send /new as a standalone message to start a fresh chat, then ask for YouTube again."

Quick Start#

bash

# List connected integrations
clawlink_list_integrations

# List YouTube tools
clawlink_list_tools --integration youtube

# Search for a specific tool
clawlink_search_tools --query "channel" --integration youtube

Authentication#

All YouTube tool calls are authenticated automatically by ClawLink using the user's connected Google/YouTube account.

No API key is required in chat. ClawLink stores the OAuth token securely and injects it into every YouTube API request on the user's behalf.

Getting Connected#

1. Install the ClawLink plugin (see Install above).
2. Pair the plugin with clawlink_begin_pairing if it is not configured yet.
3. Open https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=youtube and connect YouTube.
4. Call clawlink_list_integrations to verify the connection is active.

Connection Management#

List Connections#

bash

clawlink_list_integrations

Response: Returns all connected integrations. Look for youtube in the list.

Verify Connection#

bash

clawlink_list_tools --integration youtube

Response: Returns the live tool catalog for YouTube.

Reconnect#

If YouTube tools are missing or the connection shows an error:

1. Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=youtube
2. After they confirm, call clawlink_list_integrations to verify
3. Then call clawlink_list_tools --integration youtube

Discovery Workflow#

1. Call clawlink_list_integrations to confirm YouTube is connected.
2. Call clawlink_list_tools --integration youtube to see the live catalog.
3. Treat the returned list as the source of truth. Do not guess or assume what tools exist.
4. If the user describes a capability but the exact tool is unclear, call clawlink_search_tools with a short query and integration youtube.
5. If no YouTube tools appear, direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=youtube.

Execution Workflow#

text

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  READ OPERATIONS (Safe)                                     │
│  list → get → search → describe → call                      │
│                                                             │
│  Example: List videos → Get details → Show results         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                               │
                               ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  WRITE OPERATIONS (Require Confirmation)                    │
│  list → get → describe → preview → confirm → call           │
│                                                             │
│  Example: Describe tool → Preview changes → User approves   │
│           → Execute update │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

1. For unfamiliar tools, ambiguous requests, or any write action, call clawlink_describe_tool first.
2. Use the returned guidance, schema, whenToUse, askBefore, safeDefaults, examples, and followups to shape the call.
3. Prefer read, list, search, and get operations before writes when that reduces ambiguity.
4. For writes or anything marked as requiring confirmation, call clawlink_preview_tool first.
5. Execute with clawlink_call_tool. Pass confirmation only after the preview matches the user's intent.
6. If the tool call fails, report the real error. Do not invent results or restate the failure as a missing capability unless the live catalog supports that conclusion.

Tool Reference#

Tools are available dynamically from the live ClawLink catalog. Call clawlink_list_tools --integration youtube to see the full list.

Typical Tool Categories#

CategoryDescriptionModeChannelsInspect channel metadata, settings, and brandingReadVideosList, get, search, and manage video metadataRead/WritePlaylistsManage playlists and playlist itemsRead/WriteCommentsRead and moderate commentsRead/WriteSubscriptionsManage channel subscriptionsRead/WriteAnalyticsRetrieve channel and video insightsRead

Code Examples#

List channel videos#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "youtube_list_videos" \
  --params '{
    "channel_id": "YOUR_CHANNEL_ID",
    "max_results": 10
  }'

Get video details#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "youtube_get_video" \
  --params '{
    "video_id": "YOUR_VIDEO_ID"
  }'

Search videos#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "youtube_search_videos" \
  --params '{
    "query": "search term",
    "max_results": 10
  }'

Security & Permissions#

• Access is scoped to the connected YouTube account's data.
• All write operations require explicit user confirmation. Before executing any create, update, or delete call, confirm the target resource and intended effect with the user.
• Destructive actions (deleting comments, videos, or playlists) are marked as high-impact and must be confirmed.
• Channel permissions can be inspected to verify admin access before making changes.

Notes#

• YouTube Data API v3 has quota limits. Prefer batch operations and avoid unnecessary API calls.
• Video IDs are stable identifiers; use them instead of titles for precise operations.
• Some tools require a verified Google Cloud project with YouTube Data API enabled.
• When piping shell output, environment variables may not expand correctly in some shells; prefer explicit JSON parameters.

Error Handling#

Status / ErrorMeaningTool not foundThe tool name does not exist in the current catalog. Verify with clawlink_list_tools --integration youtube.Missing connectionYouTube is not connected. Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=youtube.notFoundResource (video, channel, playlist) does not exist. Check the ID.forbiddenNo permission to access this resource. Verify account access.Quota exceededAPI quota limit reached. Wait or reduce request frequency.Write rejectedUser did not confirm a write action. Always confirm before executing writes.

Troubleshooting: Tools Not Visible#

1. Check that the ClawLink plugin is installed: bash

   openclaw plugins list
   
   

2. If the plugin is installed but tools are missing, tell the user to send /new as a standalone message to reload the catalog.

3. If a fresh chat does not help, run: bash

   openclaw config set tools.alsoAllow '["clawlink-plugin"]' --strict-json
   openclaw gateway restart
   
   

4. After restart, tell the user to send /new again and retry.

Troubleshooting: Invalid Tool Call#

1. Ensure the integration slug is exactly youtube.
2. Use clawlink_describe_tool to verify parameter names and types before calling.
3. For write operations, always call clawlink_preview_tool first.

Resources#

• YouTube Data API v3
• YouTube API Reference
• ClawLink: https://claw-link.dev/?utm_source=clawhub&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=clawlink-youtube
• ClawLink Docs: https://docs.claw-link.dev/openclaw
• ClawLink Verification: https://claw-link.dev/verify

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