Instagram Reel Downloader (WhatsApp)

Download an Instagram Reel via sssinstagram.com and return it as a WhatsApp-ready video file. Use when a reel URL is provided and yt-dlp is blocked or not pr...

Instagram Reel via sssinstagram

Requirements

• Node.js 18+.
• playwright-core installed in the runtime.
• Chromium-compatible browser binary available via:
  • BROWSER_EXECUTABLE_PATH (preferred), or
  • default /usr/bin/brave-browser.

Environment variables

• OPENCLAW_WORKSPACE (optional): workspace root used for output path.
• REEL_DOWNLOAD_DIR (optional): explicit download directory override.
• BROWSER_EXECUTABLE_PATH (optional): browser binary path override.

1. Validate input URL.

   • Accept only https://www.instagram.com/reel/... (or /reels/...) links.

2. Run downloader automation script.

   • Execute:
     • node scripts/download_via_sss.mjs "<instagram-url>"
   • On success it prints:
     • MEDIA_PATH=<absolute path>

3. Send the file to user on WhatsApp.

   • Use message action=send with media set to MEDIA_PATH.
   • Add a small caption like Done 🐾.

4. If the site blocks automation.

   • Retry once after a short wait.
   • If it still fails, report failure cleanly and ask user for another link.

Notes

• Uses BROWSER_EXECUTABLE_PATH if set, otherwise defaults to /usr/bin/brave-browser.
• Saves videos to REEL_DOWNLOAD_DIR when set, else <workspace>/downloads (OPENCLAW_WORKSPACE or current working directory).
• Uses Playwright (playwright-core) in headless mode.
• Optional cleanup script: bash scripts/cleanup_reels.sh 30 (minutes to retain, default 30).
• For user privacy, do not store links longer than needed for the download run.