Only write annotations if there are annotations #15423

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opened 2026-02-21 08:22:36 -05:00 by deekerman · 0 comments

deekerman commented

2026-02-21 08:22:36 -05:00

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Originally created by @ealgase on GitHub (Dec 18, 2018).

Please follow the guide below

You will be asked some questions and requested to provide some information, please read them carefully and answer honestly
Put an x into all the boxes [ ] relevant to your issue (like this: [x])
Use the Preview tab to see what your issue will actually look like

Make sure you are using the latest version: run `youtube-dl --version` and ensure your version is 2018.12.17. If it's not, read this FAQ entry and update. Issues with outdated version will be rejected.

I've verified and I assure that I'm running youtube-dl 2018.12.17

Before submitting an issue make sure you have:

At least skimmed through the README, most notably the FAQ and BUGS sections
Searched the bugtracker for similar issues including closed ones
Checked that provided video/audio/playlist URLs (if any) are alive and playable in a browser

What is the purpose of your issue?

Bug report (encountered problems with youtube-dl)
Site support request (request for adding support for a new site)
Feature request (request for a new functionality)
Question
Other

Description of your issue, suggested solution and other information

I often archive many youtube videos, as well as videos from other websites. My general purpose command includes the --write-annotations flag. However, this ends up writing many empty annotations.xml files. A flag to only write annotations if they exist (or building that into the existing flag) would be very useful.

Originally created by @ealgase on GitHub (Dec 18, 2018). ## Please follow the guide below - You will be asked some questions and requested to provide some information, please read them **carefully** and answer honestly - Put an `x` into all the boxes [ ] relevant to your *issue* (like this: `[x]`) - Use the *Preview* tab to see what your issue will actually look like --- ### Make sure you are using the *latest* version: run `youtube-dl --version` and ensure your version is *2018.12.17*. If it's not, read [this FAQ entry](https://github.com/rg3/youtube-dl/blob/master/README.md#how-do-i-update-youtube-dl) and update. Issues with outdated version will be rejected. - [x] I've **verified** and **I assure** that I'm running youtube-dl **2018.12.17** ### Before submitting an *issue* make sure you have: - [x] At least skimmed through the [README](https://github.com/rg3/youtube-dl/blob/master/README.md), **most notably** the [FAQ](https://github.com/rg3/youtube-dl#faq) and [BUGS](https://github.com/rg3/youtube-dl#bugs) sections - [x] [Searched](https://github.com/rg3/youtube-dl/search?type=Issues) the bugtracker for similar issues including closed ones - [x] Checked that provided video/audio/playlist URLs (if any) are alive and playable in a browser ### What is the purpose of your *issue*? - [ ] Bug report (encountered problems with youtube-dl) - [ ] Site support request (request for adding support for a new site) - [x] Feature request (request for a new functionality) - [x] Question - [ ] Other --- ### Description of your *issue*, suggested solution and other information I often archive many youtube videos, as well as videos from other websites. My general purpose command includes the `--write-annotations` flag. However, this ends up writing many empty `annotations.xml` files. A flag to only write annotations if they exist (or building that into the existing flag) would be very useful.