# Quick Start: Fix YouTube "Sign in to confirm you're not a bot"

## The Problem

YouTube blocks automated downloads with this error:
```
Sign in to confirm you're not a bot
```

## The Solution

Use cookies from your browser to authenticate!

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### 1. Extract Cookies (Choose ONE method)

#### Method A: Automatic (Chrome/Firefox on same machine)

```bash
cd /home/debian/videotomp3transcriptor
bash scripts/extract-cookies.sh
```

Follow the prompts and choose your browser.

#### Method B: Manual (Any browser, any machine)

1. **Install browser extension:**
   - Chrome/Edge: [Get cookies.txt LOCALLY](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/get-cookiestxt-locally/cclelndahbckbenkjhflpdbgdldlbecc)
   - Firefox: [cookies.txt](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/cookies-txt/)

2. **Go to YouTube and log in:**
   - Visit https://www.youtube.com
   - Make sure you're logged into your account

3. **Export cookies:**
   - Click the extension icon
   - Click "Export" or "Download"
   - Save the file as `youtube-cookies.txt`

4. **Upload to server:**
   ```bash
   # On your local machine
   scp youtube-cookies.txt debian@toMP3.etheryale.com:/home/debian/videotomp3transcriptor/
   ```

### 2. Configure the API

Edit `.env` file:

```bash
nano /home/debian/videotomp3transcriptor/.env
```

Add or uncomment this line:
```bash
YOUTUBE_COOKIES_PATH=/home/debian/videotomp3transcriptor/youtube-cookies.txt
```

Save and exit (Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter)

### 3. Restart the API

```bash
pm2 restart toMP3-api
```

### 4. Test It

```bash
curl -X POST http://localhost:3001/download \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ"}'
```

If it works, you'll see download progress! 🎉

## Common Issues

### "Permission denied" when reading cookies

```bash
chmod 600 /home/debian/videotomp3transcriptor/youtube-cookies.txt
```

### Cookies expired

Re-export fresh cookies from your browser. Cookies typically last a few weeks.

### Still getting "not a bot" error

1. Make sure you logged into YouTube before exporting cookies
2. Try a different browser
3. Check the path in `.env` is correct
4. Verify the file exists: `ls -la /home/debian/videotomp3transcriptor/youtube-cookies.txt`

## Security Warning ⚠️

**Cookies = Your YouTube Session**

- Keep cookies file secure (like a password)
- Never commit to git (already in .gitignore)
- Don't share publicly
- Re-export periodically when they expire

## Need More Help?

See full documentation: [docs/YOUTUBE_COOKIES.md](docs/YOUTUBE_COOKIES.md)