# Configuration Guide

## Environment Variables

Downlink uses environment variables for configuration. Create a `.env.local` file in the project root (this file is gitignored and won't be committed).

### Required Configuration

#### YT_DLP_PATH
**Required if yt-dlp is not in your system PATH**

Full path to the yt-dlp executable.

```bash
YT_DLP_PATH=/Users/jeff/Desktop/yt-dlp_macos
```

**When to set this:**
- yt-dlp is not installed via package manager (brew, pip, etc.)
- yt-dlp is in a custom location
- You're using a standalone yt-dlp binary

**How to find your yt-dlp path:**
```bash
# If installed via brew
which yt-dlp
# Output: /opt/homebrew/bin/yt-dlp

# If installed via pip
which yt-dlp
# Output: /usr/local/bin/yt-dlp

# If using standalone binary
# Use the full path to the binary file
```

### Optional Configuration

#### FFMPEG_PATH
**Optional - For custom ffmpeg location**

Full path to the ffmpeg executable. Passed to yt-dlp via `--ffmpeg-location` flag. Only needed if ffmpeg is not in your system PATH.

```bash
FFMPEG_PATH=/usr/local/bin/ffmpeg
```

**When to set this:**
- ffmpeg is not installed via package manager
- ffmpeg is in a custom location (e.g., Docker, Coolify deployments)
- You're using a standalone ffmpeg binary

## Configuration Examples

### Example 1: yt-dlp in Custom Location
```bash
# .env.local
YT_DLP_PATH=/Users/jeff/Desktop/yt-dlp_macos
```

### Example 2: yt-dlp Installed via Homebrew
```bash
# .env.local
# Can be left empty if yt-dlp is in PATH
# Or explicitly set:
YT_DLP_PATH=/opt/homebrew/bin/yt-dlp
```

### Example 3: yt-dlp Installed via pip
```bash
# .env.local
YT_DLP_PATH=/usr/local/bin/yt-dlp
```

## Environment File Setup

1. **Copy the example file:**
   ```bash
   cp .env.example .env.local
   ```

2. **Edit `.env.local` with your configuration:**
   ```bash
   YT_DLP_PATH=/path/to/your/yt-dlp
   ```

3. **Restart the development server:**
   ```bash
   npm run dev
   ```

## Troubleshooting

### yt-dlp not found error
If you see `yt-dlp: command not found`:

1. **Check if yt-dlp exists:**
   ```bash
   which yt-dlp
   ```

2. **If it returns nothing, set YT_DLP_PATH:**
   ```bash
   # Find where yt-dlp is located
   find /usr -name yt-dlp 2>/dev/null
   find ~ -name yt-dlp 2>/dev/null
   
   # Or if you downloaded it manually, use that path
   ```

3. **Add to .env.local:**
   ```bash
   YT_DLP_PATH=/full/path/to/yt-dlp
   ```

4. **Verify the path is correct:**
   ```bash
   ls -la "$YT_DLP_PATH"
   # Should show the yt-dlp executable
   ```

### Path with spaces
If your path contains spaces, use quotes in the environment variable:
```bash
YT_DLP_PATH="/Users/jeff/My Apps/yt-dlp_macos"
```

### Executable permissions
Ensure yt-dlp has execute permissions:
```bash
chmod +x /path/to/yt-dlp
```

## Production Configuration

For production deployments:

1. Set environment variables in your hosting platform (Vercel, Railway, etc.)
2. Ensure yt-dlp is installed on the server
3. Set `YT_DLP_PATH` if yt-dlp is not in the default PATH

### Vercel Example
```bash
# In Vercel dashboard → Settings → Environment Variables
YT_DLP_PATH=/usr/local/bin/yt-dlp
```

### Docker Example
```dockerfile
# In Dockerfile
ENV YT_DLP_PATH=/usr/local/bin/yt-dlp
```

## Next.js Environment Variables

Next.js automatically loads `.env.local` files. Variables prefixed with `NEXT_PUBLIC_` are exposed to the browser, but `YT_DLP_PATH` should remain server-side only (no prefix).

## Security Notes

- Never commit `.env.local` to version control (already in .gitignore)
- Keep yt-dlp paths secure
- Use absolute paths for reliability
- Test configuration after changes