streamlink

TLDR

Open stream in default player

$ streamlink [URL] [best]

Open stream in specific player

$ streamlink --player [mpv] [URL] [best]

List available qualities

$ streamlink [URL]

Record stream to file

$ streamlink -o [output.ts] [URL] [best]

Open with specific quality

$ streamlink [URL] [720p]

Open Twitch stream

$ streamlink [twitch.tv/streamername] [best]

Pass player arguments

$ streamlink --player [mpv] --player-args "[--no-border]" [URL] [best]

SYNOPSIS

streamlink [--player player] [-o file] [options] URL [quality]

streamlink extracts streams from websites and pipes them to media players. It bypasses browser-based players, enabling use of lightweight, efficient players like mpv or VLC.
Quality selection uses identifiers like best, worst, or specific resolutions (720p, 1080p60). Listing qualities shows available options for a stream. Fallback selection (720p,480p,best) tries multiple qualities.
Recording saves streams to files. Combined with a player, streams can be both watched and archived. Output format depends on stream type (usually TS or MP4).
Platform support includes Twitch, YouTube, and hundreds of other sites. Plugin architecture enables community-contributed support for additional platforms.
Twitch-specific features include ad skipping, low-latency mode, and OAuth authentication for subscriber streams. Configuration can be saved in ~/.config/streamlink/config.
HTTP options enable accessing streams behind authentication or with custom headers, handling various DRM and geo-restriction scenarios.

PARAMETERS

-p PLAYER, --player PLAYER

Player to use.

-a ARGS, --player-args ARGS

Arguments for player.

-o FILE, --output FILE

Record to file.

-r FILE, --record FILE

Record while also playing.

-f, --force

Overwrite output file.

--default-stream QUALITY

Default stream quality.

--stream-url

Print stream URL only.

--json

Output as JSON.

--retry-streams SEC

Retry if stream offline.

--retry-max NUM

Maximum retry attempts.

--retry-open NUM

Retry opening stream.

--hls-live-edge SEG

Segments from live edge.

--twitch-disable-ads

Disable Twitch ads.

--twitch-low-latency

Enable low latency mode.

--http-header HEADER

Add HTTP header.

--http-cookie COOKIE

Add HTTP cookie.

CAVEATS

Site support depends on plugins and may break with site changes. Some sites block third-party access. DRM content usually not supported. Quality options vary by platform. Ad blocking may violate ToS.

HISTORY

streamlink is a fork of livestreamer, which was created around 2012. After livestreamer's development stalled, streamlink forked in 2016 with active maintenance. The project supports an extensive list of streaming sites and continues community-driven development.