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MediaGo Documentation

repository·master·Indexed 25 days ago

https://github.com/mediago-dev/mediago

A cross-platform video downloader featuring built-in sniffing capabilities and support for over 1,000 sites via yt-dlp. MediaGo includes a Go-based core with an HTTP API, a React-based frontend for web and Electron desktop environments, and integrated tools like aria2c for direct downloads. The project provides packages such as @mediago/core and @mediago/core-sdk, supporting headless Docker deployments and a web UI.

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What's inside MediaGo

  1. Overview of aria2 integration in MediaGo

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    MediaGo uses pre-compiled aria2c static binaries to power the DownloadType: "direct" functionality. This replaces the previous gopeed implementation as of version v3.5.0-beta.2. MediaGo invokes aria2c as a separate subprocess rather than a linked library.

  2. Overview of MediaGo Open-source Edition capabilities

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    MediaGo is a cross-platform video downloader designed to simplify workflows for web video, HLS/M3U8, and various streaming sites. It integrates underlying tools like yt-dlp, N_m3u8DL-RE, BBDown, and FFmpeg into a unified interface.

    Key Capabilities:

    • Multi-platform Clients: Desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus Docker/NAS deployment (amd64 and arm64).
    • Browser Integration: Chrome/Edge extensions to detect web video resources and send them to MediaGo.
    • Built-in Browser: Sniff media resources directly within the client.
    • Site Coverage: Supports YouTube, Twitter/X, Instagram, Reddit, Bilibili (via BBDown), and 1000+ other sites.
    • Advanced Downloading: Handles HLS/M3U8, live streams, batch downloads, and queue management.
    • Post-Processing: Built-in format conversion and quality selection.
    • Automation & Integration: Provides an HTTP API for scripts/third-party tools and an OpenClaw Skill for AI coding assistants to trigger tasks.
    • Local Network Access: Desktop app can listen on a local network IP to allow mobile devices to access the Web UI for playback.

  3. Overview of Electron Main Process capabilities

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    The Electron main process is responsible for the desktop application lifecycle and system-level integration. Key responsibilities include:

    • Window Management: Creating and managing the main application window.
    • System Integration: Managing the system tray, notifications, and OS-specific features.
    • Security: Implementing secure IPC (Inter-Process Communication) with the renderer process.
    • Auto-Updates: Managing the built-in update mechanism.
    • Native Access: Providing native file system access and application menus/shortcuts.
    • Cross-Platform Support: Compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

  4. Overview of MediaGo Open Source capabilities

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    MediaGo Open Source is a cross-platform video downloader designed to simplify the process of sniffing, selecting, and saving video resources without requiring complex command-line knowledge or manual M3U8 segment stitching.

    Core Capabilities:

    • Desktop Clients: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
    • Browser Integration: Chrome/Edge extensions can identify video resources and send them to MediaGo.
    • Built-in Browser: Open video pages directly within the client for automatic resource sniffing.
    • Broad Site Coverage: Uses yt-dlp for YouTube, Twitter/X, Instagram, Reddit, etc., and BBDown for enhanced Bilibili support.
    • Streaming Support: Integrated professional streaming download capabilities for HLS/M3U8 and live streams.
    • Automation & API: Supports HTTP API for scripts, third-party tools, and browser extensions, as well as OpenClaw Skill for AI agent task creation.
    • NAS & Docker: One-click Docker deployment (supporting amd64 and arm64) for home servers and NAS.
    • Local Network Access: The desktop client can listen on LAN IPs, allowing mobile devices to access the Web UI for viewing download lists and playing content.
    • Post-processing: Includes built-in format conversion and quality selection.

  5. Overview of MediaGo Frontend architecture

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    The MediaGo frontend is a React-based application designed to operate in two distinct environments:

    1. Electron Renderer: Integrated into Electron's BrowserWindow for the desktop experience.
    2. Standalone Web: Served by the webapi backend for access via standard web browsers.

    Communication with backend services is handled via Socket.io for real-time updates (such as download progress) and HTTP APIs for standard data operations.

  6. Overview of MediaGo features

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    MediaGo is a cross-platform video downloader that uses built-in sniffing to detect downloadable resources without requiring packet capture tools (like Fiddler or Charles), plugins, or command-line interfaces.

    Key capabilities include:

    • Built-in Sniffing: The desktop version includes a browser that automatically detects downloadable resources when you visit a video page.
    • Browser Extension: Supports Chrome and Edge for one-click sniffing, with a toolbar icon showing detected items. Supports YouTube, Bilibili, and more.
    • Wide Source Support: Supports HLS/m3u8 streams, live streaming, and over 1,000 sites including YouTube, Bilibili, Twitter/X, and Instagram using N_m3u8DL-RE, BBDown, and yt-dlp internally.
    • Batch Downloading: Allows simultaneous downloading of multiple videos or live streams with adjustable concurrency.
    • Built-in Format Conversion: Converts downloaded files to different formats or qualities within MediaGo using integrated ffmpeg support.
    • Mobile Playback: The desktop version can listen on a LAN IP, allowing smartphones or tablets on the same Wi-Fi to access the Web UI for viewing download lists and playing videos.
    • Open HTTP API: Provides a full HTTP API for creating tasks, tracking progress, and managing lists via scripts or third-party apps.
    • AI Assistant Integration (OpenClaw Skill): Allows AI coding assistants like Claude Code or Cursor to download videos via a single-command Skill installation.
    • Docker Deployment: Supports one-line deployment to NAS or VPS via Docker Hub or GHCR with multi-architecture image support.

  7. Compare MediaGo with other video downloaders

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    This review compares MediaGo against various video downloading tools to highlight its unique positioning in the 2026 ecosystem.

    Key differentiators for MediaGo include:

    • Comprehensive Coverage: Supports desktop, browser extensions, NAS (Docker), APIs, and streaming protocols (M3U8/HLS).
    • Workflow Integration: Unlike standalone tools, MediaGo connects browser sniffing to task queues, format conversion, and automated Agent workflows.
    • Advanced Processing: Offers AI-driven features like transcription, subtitle translation, and vocal separation which are often missing in CLI-based or traditional commercial tools.
    • Self-Hosting & Automation: Provides a robust Docker/NAS presence with HTTP APIs, making it suitable for automated media pipelines compared to purely desktop-centric tools.

  8. Compare Cat Catch (猫抓) and MediaGo

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    MediaGo and Cat Catch (猫抓) serve different primary purposes in a video downloading workflow:

    • Cat Catch (猫抓): Primarily a browser extension for media resource sniffing. It is best for discovering media links (video, audio, m3u8) directly within a browser session.
    • MediaGo: A complete video downloading workflow. It includes a desktop application, browser extensions, a built-in browser, download queues, m3u8/HLS processing, format conversion, and support for Docker/NAS deployments.

    Comparison Summary

    FeatureCat Catch (猫抓)MediaGo
    Core FormBrowser Extension / SnifferDesktop App + Extension + Docker/NAS
    Primary CapabilityDiscovering web media resourcesIdentification, downloading, queuing, processing, automation
    m3u8/HLSDiscovers resources; processing depends on external toolsHandles as a core download scenario
    Download FailuresRequires user to troubleshoot resources/toolsBuilt-in browser can re-identify context
    Merging/Audio IssuesOften requires external toolsIntegrated download and processing pipeline
    Target UserUsers comfortable with browser extensionsUsers seeking a complete video downloader

  9. MediaGo Download API Overview

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    MediaGo exposes its download core as an HTTP service. You can use any HTTP client (curl, Python, Node.js, Postman, etc.) to create tasks, start/stop downloads, and query progress.

    Base URLs

    • Desktop Client: http://localhost:39719
    • Docker Deployment: http://<server-address>:9900 (adjust based on your -p port mapping)

    All endpoints are prefixed with /api.

    Authentication

    • Desktop Client: No authentication required by default.
    • Docker Deployment: If authentication is enabled, retrieve an API Key from the MediaGo Settings page and include it in requests as Authorization: Bearer <key>.

  10. Understand M3U8 and HLS streaming concepts

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    M3U8 is not a standard video file; it is a playlist format used in HTTP Live Streaming (HLS). It contains metadata that points to various video/audio tracks, different quality levels (bitrates), or individual media segments.

    When a player processes an M3U8 file, it reads the segment addresses and downloads them sequentially. The user perceives a continuous video stream, but the underlying data consists of multiple small files, typically in .ts or .m4s formats.

    Common HLS Structure

    ComponentDescription
    Master PlaylistContains links to multiple sub-playlists representing different resolutions or bitrates.
    Sub-playlistPoints to the specific list of media segments.
    TS / M4S SegmentsThe actual files carrying the video or audio data.
    Key InformationContains encryption-related data for protected HLS streams.

  11. Compare MediaGo with commercial and browser-based downloaders

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    MediaGo competes with several established categories of downloaders:

    • Commercial Desktop (4K Video Downloader Plus, Downie, IDM): These tools focus on polished UI and ease of use for single-machine users. MediaGo differentiates through open-source transparency, cross-platform Docker/NAS support, and API/Agent automation.
    • Browser Extensions (Video DownloadHelper): These are excellent for quick, temporary captures of web videos. MediaGo's extension is designed as a frontend for a much larger workflow (task queues, conversion, and remote NAS storage) rather than just a simple capture tool.

  12. Compare MediaGo with specialized video downloaders

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    This documentation provides a comparative review of MediaGo against various specialized video downloading tools to help users understand where MediaGo fits in their workflow.

    Key Competitors and Use Cases:

    • Desktop/Commercial Tools (Pulltube, SnapDownloader, iTubeGo): These are strong for single-machine macOS/Windows users with mature UIs. MediaGo differentiates by offering a complete chain of Desktop + Browser + Docker/NAS + API.
    • Android Tools (YTDLnis, Seal): Optimized for mobile sharing and lightweight downloads. MediaGo serves mobile users via its Web UI and NAS playback/remote management.
    • Protocol-Level/Advanced Tools (N_m3u8DL-RE, FFmpeg, Streamlink): These require manual stream URLs or CLI expertise. MediaGo acts as a user-friendly wrapper providing web recognition, task management, and graphical workflows.
    • Platform-Specific Tools (yutto, BBDown, TwitchDownloader): Highly specialized for Bilibili or Twitch. MediaGo aims to productize these capabilities for a general audience across multiple platforms.
    • Web-Based/Lightweight Tools (Cobalt): Focused on a 'paste link and download' experience. MediaGo is better suited for local, private, long-term running, and multi-entry download workflows.