[Bug]: --transcript not working. fabric -y $URL --transcript shows empty output

[asmoura]

What happened?

PROBLEM / SYMPTOM: fabric does not provide output using --transcript or --transcript-with-timestamps

~/.local/bin/fabric --transcript -y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbDyjIIGaxQ

~/.local/bin/fabric --dry-run --transcript -y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbDyjIIGaxQ

VERIFICATION: I know my environment works - e.g.: YOUTUBE API - because --metadata works:

# ~/.local/bin/fabric --metadata -y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbDyjIIGaxQ          
{
  "id": "UbDyjIIGaxQ",
  "title": "You've been using AI Wrong",
  "description": "Still using VPN? Securely access your stuff from anywhere with Twingate (what I use):   https://ntck.co/twingate_zerotrust \n\n\nJoin NetworkChuck as we delve into the revolutionary AI tool, Fabric, designed to augment human capabilities by seamlessly integrating AI into daily tasks. In this comprehensive tutorial, NetworkChuck breaks down how to set up and utilize Fabric to enhance productivity and streamline workflows. Discover how Fabric's open-source, crowd-sourced prompts, known as patterns, can solve specific problems and how you can even create your own. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a professional looking to leverage AI in practical ways, this video is your gateway to mastering Fabric and transforming your digital interactions.\n\n\n🧵🧵Fabric: https://github.com/danielmiessler/fabric\n\nFollow Daniel Miessler:\n➡️YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@unsupervised-learning\n➡️Twitter: https://x.com/DanielMiessler\nFollow Daniel’s work: ✉️ https://danielmiessler.com/subscribe (https://danielmiessler.com/subscribe)\n\n\nThreshold: https://threshold.app/ \n\n\n🔥🔥Join the NetworkChuck Academy!: https://ntck.co/NCAcademy \n\n\n\n**Sponsored by Twingate\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSUPPORT NETWORKCHUCK\n---------------------------------------------------\n➡️NetworkChuck membership: https://ntck.co/Premium \n☕☕ COFFEE and MERCH: https://ntck.co/coffee \n\nCheck out my new channel: https://ntck.co/ncclips \n\n🆘🆘NEED HELP?? Join the Discord Server: https://discord.gg/networkchuck \n\nSTUDY WITH ME on Twitch: https://bit.ly/nc_twitch \n\nREADY TO LEARN??\n---------------------------------------------------\n-Learn Python: https://bit.ly/3rzZjzz \n-Get your CCNA: https://bit.ly/nc-ccna \n\nFOLLOW ME EVERYWHERE\n---------------------------------------------------\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/networkchuck/ \nTwitter: https://twitter.com/networkchuck \nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NetworkChuck/ \nJoin the Discord server: http://bit.ly/nc-discord \n\n\n\n\nAFFILIATES \u0026 REFERRALS\n---------------------------------------------------\n(GEAR I USE...STUFF I RECOMMEND)\nMy network gear: https://geni.us/L6wyIUj \nAmazon Affiliate Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/networkchuck \nBuy a Raspberry Pi: https://geni.us/aBeqAL\nDo you want to know how I draw on the screen?? Go to https://ntck.co/EpicPen and use code NetworkChuck to get 20% off!! \nfast and reliable unifi in the cloud: https://hostifi.com/?via=chuck\n\n00:00 - Introduction to Fabric: An Open Source AI Tool\n00:06 - What is Fabric? Explained by Creator Daniel Miessler\n00:28 - How to Set Up and Use Fabric\n00:39 - Practical Demonstration: Using Fabric for YouTube Transcripts\n01:34 - Deep Dive into Fabric's Core Functionality and AI Integration\n02:00 - Extract Wisdom: The Secret Sauce of Fabric\n03:04 - Open Source Prompts in Fabric: Transparency and Control\n04:03 - Reducing Friction with AI: The Philosophy Behind Fabric\n05:09 - Real-world Application: Integrating Fabric with Personal Data\n05:34 - Introducing the World of Text Concept by Daniel Miessler\n06:51 - Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Fabric on Your Computer\n09:03 - Finalizing Fabric Setup and API Configuration\n10:03 - Understanding Fabric's Framework and AI Model Integration\n11:02 - Connecting to Remote AI Servers with Fabric\n11:31 - Secure Remote Access with Twingate\n12:45 - Advanced Usage of Fabric: Creating Custom Commands and Patterns\n16:15 - How to Create and Implement Your Own Patterns in Fabric\n18:18 - Managing and Updating Custom Patterns in Fabric\n20:56 - Philosophical Insights on Human Augmentation with AI by Daniel Miessler\n23:00 - Practical Benefits of Using Fabric for Content Filtering and Engagement\n26:09 - Balancing AI Assistance with Human Effort for Optimal Learning and Growth\n28:19 - Personal Applications of Fabric in Daily Life and Learning\n29:10 - Introduction to NetworkChuck Academy and Future Projects\n29:27 - Saving and Integrating Fabric Outputs with Obsidian for Organized Note-taking\n\n\n\n- Exploring AI tools with NetworkChuck\n- How to use Fabric AI tool\n- Open-source AI technologies\n- Crowd-sourced AI patterns\n- Augmenting human capabilities with AI\n- Practical uses of AI in daily tasks\n- Setting up Fabric on your computer\n- Customizing AI patterns for productivity\n- Learning AI integration with real-world applications\n- Enhancing workflows using AI\n- NetworkChuck's guide to Fabric\n- DIY AI pattern creation\n- Streamlining tasks with AI\n- Leveraging AI for better productivity\n- Open-source projects in AI\n- Crowd-sourcing in technology development\n- Tutorial on installing AI tools\n- Advanced AI configurations for professionals\n- Building custom AI solutions\n- Understanding AI prompts and patterns\n- NetworkChuck AI tool reviews\n- Fabric AI capabilities and features\n- Innovations in artificial intelligence tools\n- Reducing friction with AI in tech projects\n\n\n\n#fabric #chatgpt #ai",
  "publishedAt": "2024-05-28T17:08:57Z",
  "channelId": "UC9x0AN7BWHpCDHSm9NiJFJQ",
  "channelTitle": "NetworkChuck",
  "categoryId": "28",
  "tags": [
    "NetworkChuck",
    "Fabric AI",
    "open source AI",
    "AI tutorial",
    "augmenting humans with AI",
    "AI for productivity",
    "crowd-sourced AI",
    "AI patterns",
    "setting up Fabric",
    "customizing AI",
    "learning AI",
    "workflow enhancement",
    "technology tutorial",
    "DIY AI patterns",
    "AI integration",
    "advanced AI setup",
    "building AI solutions",
    "AI prompts",
    "AI tool review",
    "artificial intelligence innovation",
    "tech education",
    "digital workflow tools",
    "AI project setup",
    "practical AI applications"
  ],
  "viewCount": 730312,
  "likeCount": 22426
}

Operating System

macOS - Silicon (arm64)

OS Version

macOS: 25.5.0
Darwin localhost 25.5.0 Darwin Kernel Version 25.5.0: Mon Apr 27 20:41:15 PDT 2026; root:xnu-12377.121.6~2/RELEASE_ARM64_T6041 arm64 arm Darwin

How did you install Fabric?

brew install fabric

Version

v1.4.143

Relevant log output

/bin/zsh
zsh 5.9 (arm-apple-darwin24.2.0)

Relevant screenshots (optional)

No response

[superclarkk]

fabric relies on yt-dlp for the transcript. It uses the youtube API only for the metadata.

Ensure that yt-dlp is installed, and successfully downloads transcripts, using the following:

yt-dlp --write-auto-subs --skip-download --sub-format vtt -o 'fabric-youtube-%(id)s/%(title)s.%(ext)s' --sub-langs en-GB,en.*,en https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDW9qLafl3E]

The vtt files will be in the directory named fabric-youtube-<video-id>.

[superclarkk]

Note also that you're running an old fabric version. Update to 1.4.455.