SourceSpool

Save video and audio references with their source links, collections, tags and notes, then find them again in a Windows terminal.

npm package · Releases · 30-second demo

Install and start

Requires Windows 11 x64, local NTFS storage and Node 22 or newer. Node 24 LTS is recommended; newer Node versions are no longer blocked at startup.

npx sourcespool@latest

For a permanent installation:

npm install -g sourcespool
sourcespool

Already installed? Update to the latest release.

Version 0.2.1 removes the Node 24-only restriction in 0.2.0, so Node 25 users can launch normally. Update an existing installation with npm install -g sourcespool@latest.

First launch checks for yt-dlp, FFmpeg and ffprobe. If they are missing, it offers guided setup and asks before downloading them. You then choose and confirm a library folder; SourceSpool remembers it.

Tool setup needs about 133 MB of downloads and 800 MB of free disk space. Working tools can be reused. Manual paths, offline setup and troubleshooting.

Use your library

• A adds a public URL. Choose a video or audio format, add tags and a note, then review the filename before saving. Tab changes field; Ctrl+K changes collection.
• L searches titles, source URLs, tags and notes offline. Use ↑/↓ and Enter to open details, O to open verified media, or U to open its source.
• C creates a collection. S edits its filename template using {collection}, {date} (UTC), {title}, {id} and {ext}.
• Duplicate prompts let you Keep the existing reference or save a New copy. Existing files are never overwritten.
• E exports catalogue metadata. I previews an import and its conflicts. Exports contain source links, tags, notes and relative paths; back up media files separately.
• R reviews interrupted saves and library locks. Use it before manually changing recovery files.

Esc goes back or cancels, Ctrl+G opens help, and Q exits from Home. Ctrl+C stops work and exits after active processes or saves settle. Use a terminal at least 35 columns × 18 rows.

The demo shows a real save, note search, duplicate choice and metadata export using an original local sample.

Update

Updates are manual. To update a permanent installation to the latest published npm release, close SourceSpool and run:

npm install -g sourcespool@latest
sourcespool --version

Your settings, managed tools and media library are preserved. Existing v0.1.0 libraries remain compatible.

If you use SourceSpool without a permanent installation, launch the latest published release with:

npx sourcespool@latest

Uninstall

npm uninstall -g sourcespool

Uninstalling removes the CLI package. Your settings, managed tools and media library are preserved.

Storage and limitations

SourceSpool stores a local JSON catalogue and media in your chosen library folder. It verifies saved files with SHA-256 and keeps recovery information for interrupted saves. Settings and managed tools live under %LOCALAPPDATA%/SourceSpool.

This release handles one public item at a time. Playlists, login/cookie downloads, cloud sync and automatic tool updates are not supported. Other operating systems, network shares and cloud-synced folders are outside the supported setup. Source availability depends on yt-dlp and the site.

Missing files retain their metadata; restore media at its recorded path. Review source URLs before sharing an export. SourceSpool does not upload your catalogue, media, credentials or cookies.

Development

npm ci
npm run check
npm start

npm run check typechecks the project, runs behavior and keyboard tests, builds the CLI and regenerates the synthetic design gallery. Real-tool integration tests require yt-dlp and FFmpeg; see Contributing.

Architecture · Tool versions and licenses · Validation scope · Posting captions and images

Credits and license

Yoinks by Pablo Stanley inspired the terminal downloader concept. SourceSpool's application code, collection workflow, copy, captures and sample media are original.

SourceSpool is MIT licensed. Dependencies and external tools retain their own licenses.