---
name: youtube-distribution
description: YouTube long-form distribution - competitor research, content strategy, and video production automation
mode: subagent
model: sonnet
subagents:
  - channel-intel
  - topic-research
  - script-writer
  - optimizer
  - pipeline
---

<!-- SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT -->
<!-- SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2025-2026 Marcus Quinn -->

# YouTube Distribution

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## Quick Reference

- **Helper**: `youtube-helper.sh` - YouTube Data API v3 wrapper
- **Commands**: `/youtube setup`, `/youtube research`, `/youtube script`
- **Pipeline**: YouTube is a distribution channel within `content.md`

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## Subagents

| Subagent | Purpose |
|----------|---------|
| `channel-intel.md` | Competitor analysis, outlier detection, content DNA |
| `topic-research.md` | Niche trends, content gaps, keyword clustering |
| `script-writer.md` | Long-form scripts with hooks and retention curves |
| `optimizer.md` | Title, description, tags, thumbnail optimization |
| `pipeline.md` | End-to-end cron-driven automation pipeline |

## Distribution Workflow

1. **Receive story and production assets** from upstream pipeline stages
2. **Adapt to YouTube format** using `script-writer.md`
   - Long-form script (8-20 minutes)
   - Scene-by-scene breakdown with B-roll directions
   - Hook optimization for first 30 seconds
3. **Optimize metadata** using `optimizer.md`
   - Title variants with CTR signals
   - SEO-optimized description with timestamps
   - Tag generation (primary + long-tail + competitor)
   - Thumbnail brief
4. **Publish and monitor** using `pipeline.md`

## YouTube-Specific Format Rules

| Parameter | Specification |
|-----------|--------------|
| **Aspect ratio** | 16:9 (landscape) |
| **Resolution** | 1080p minimum, 4K preferred |
| **Length** | 8-20 minutes (optimal for ad revenue) |
| **Thumbnail** | 1280x720, high contrast, readable text |
| **Title** | Under 60 characters, keyword-front |
| **Description** | First 2 lines visible, timestamps, links |
| **Tags** | 5-10 relevant keywords |
| **Chapters** | Timestamps for videos over 5 minutes |

## Cross-Channel Repurposing

| Output | Format | Agent |
|--------|--------|-------|
| YouTube Short | Best 30-60s clip, 9:16 reformat | `content/distribution-short-form.md` |
| Blog post | Transcript-based SEO article | `content/distribution-blog.md` |
| Social posts | X thread, LinkedIn post, Reddit discussion | `content/distribution-social.md` |
| Email | Newsletter featuring video + key takeaways | `content/distribution-email.md` |
| Podcast | Audio-only version with show notes | `content/distribution-podcast.md` |

## Related Agents

| Agent | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| `content/production-video.md` | Video generation (Sora 2 Pro, Veo 3.1) |
| `content/production-audio.md` | Voice pipeline |
| `content/story.md` | Narrative design and hook formulas |
| `content/optimization.md` | A/B testing and analytics |
