gallery-dl

Download and batch archive image galleries from 100+ sites including Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, Pixiv, and Danbooru with customizable options.

Download image galleries and collections from 100+ sites.

When This Skill Activates

This skill triggers when user wants to download images from Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, Pixiv, Danbooru, or other supported sites.

Reasoning Framework

Step	Action	Why
1	INSTALL	Install gallery-dl via pip
2	AUTH	Configure authentication if needed
3	EXTRACT	Determine site and URL type
4	DOWNLOAD	Fetch images with options
5	ORGANIZE	Save to appropriate folder

---

Install

pip install gallery-dl

---

Decision Tree

What are you trying to do?

├── Download from Reddit
│   └── Use: gallery-dl "https://www.reddit.com/r/subreddit/"
│
├── Download from Twitter/X
│   └── Use: gallery-dl "https://twitter.com/user/media"
│
├── Download from Pixiv
│   └── Use: gallery-dl "https://www.pixiv.net/users/12345"
│
├── Download from Danbooru
│   └── Use: gallery-dl "https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts?tags=tag"
│
├── Batch download
│   └── Use: gallery-dl "URL" --limit 10
│
└── Custom filename
    └── Use: gallery-dl "URL" -f "{id}.{extension}"

---

Supported Sites

Reddit, Twitter/X, Instagram, Tumblr, Pixiv, Danbooru, Gelbooru, Furbooru, ArtStation, DeviantArt, Flickr, Newgrounds, HBO, TikTok, YouTube, and 100+ more.

Full list: https://github.com/mikf/gallery-dl#supported-services

---

Basic Usage

Command

gallery-dl "URL" [options]

Examples

# Download from Reddit
gallery-dl "https://www.reddit.com/r/wallpapers/"

# Download to specific folder
gallery-dl "URL" -D /path/to/folder

# Download specific user's posts
gallery-dl "https://twitter.com/username/media"

# Download from Pixiv artist
gallery-dl "https://www.pixiv.net/users/12345"

# Download from Danbooru tags
gallery-dl "https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts?tags=cat"

---

Options

Flag	Description	Default
-D, --directory PATH	Download location	./gallery-dl
-f, --filename FORMAT	Filename template	{id}.{extension}
--range RANGE	Download range (e.g., 1-10)	all
--limit N	Limit number of downloads	no limit
--username USER	Login username	-
--password PASS	Login password	-
--netrc	Use .netrc for auth	false

---

Filename Templates

# Default (id.extension)
gallery-dl "URL" -f "{id}.{extension}"

# By date (YYYY/id.extension)
gallery-dl "URL" -f "{date:%Y}/{id}.{extension}"

# By site (site/id.extension)
gallery-dl "URL" -f "{domain}/{id}.{extension}"

# Original filename
gallery-dl "URL" -f "/O"

---

Authentication

Many sites need login. Choose one method:

1. Command Line

gallery-dl "URL" --username USER --password PASS

2. .netrc File

Create ~/.netrc:

machine twitter.com
login username
password password

3. Config File

Create ~/.config/gallery-dl/config.json:

{
    "extractor": {
        "twitter": {
            "username": "user",
            "password": "pass"
        },
        "pixiv": {
            "username": "user", 
            "password": "pass"
        }
    }
}

---

Common Examples

# Reddit subreddit
gallery-dl "https://www.reddit.com/r/earthporn/" -D ./earthporn

# Twitter user media
gallery-dl "https://twitter.com/elonmusk/media" -D ./elon

# Pixiv artist
gallery-dl "https://www.pixiv.net/users/12345" -D ./pixiv

# Danbooru tag
gallery-dl "https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts?tags=cat" -D ./cat

# Download only first 10
gallery-dl "URL" --limit 10

# Download range
gallery-dl "URL" --range 1-50

---

Troubleshooting

Problem: "gallery-dl: command not found"

• Cause: Not installed
• Fix: pip install gallery-dl

Problem: "HTTP Error 401: Unauthorized"

• Cause: Need login
• Fix: Configure authentication (--username/--password or config)

Problem: "HTTP Error 403: Forbidden"

• Cause: Rate limited or private content
• Fix: Wait or check credentials

Problem: "No images found"

• Cause: Wrong URL or no media
• Fix: Verify URL is correct for the site

Problem: "Permission denied"

• Cause: No write permission
• Fix: Check folder permissions or use -D with writable path

---

Self-Check

• gallery-dl installed: gallery-dl --version
• URL is correct for the site
• For private sites: authentication configured
• Output directory exists and is writable
• Rate limiting respected (don't spam)

---

Quick Reference

Task	Command
Download Reddit	gallery-dl "https://www.reddit.com/r/sub/"
Download Twitter	gallery-dl "https://twitter.com/user/media"
Download Pixiv	gallery-dl "https://www.pixiv.net/users/12345"
Custom folder	gallery-dl "URL" -D ./folder
Limit 10	gallery-dl "URL" --limit 10
Custom name	gallery-dl "URL" -f "{id}.{extension}"

---