[GH-ISSUE #1281] Download prefilled URLs automatically & document existence of prefill parameters (# and ?u) #3733

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GiteaMirror · 2026-04-13T12:14:24-05:00

GiteaMirror commented

2026-04-13 12:14:24 -05:00

Originally created by @qomarhsn on GitHub (May 27, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/1281

describe the feature you'd like to see

I'd like Cobalt to support a simple query parameter so users can pre-fill the download input field via the page URL.

For example, visiting:

https://cobalt.tools/?url=<VIDEO_URL>

…would automatically insert the provided video URL into the input field on the homepage.

This would make it easier for users to quickly download a video without manually pasting the URL every time.

Bonus: Optionally auto-trigger the fetch/download process once the field is populated.

additional context

No response

Originally created by @qomarhsn on GitHub (May 27, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/1281 ### describe the feature you'd like to see I'd like Cobalt to support a simple query parameter so users can pre-fill the download input field via the page URL. For example, visiting: ``` https://cobalt.tools/?url=<VIDEO_URL> ``` …would automatically insert the provided video URL into the input field on the homepage. This would make it easier for users to quickly download a video without manually pasting the URL every time. **Bonus:** Optionally auto-trigger the fetch/download process once the field is populated. ### additional context _No response_

GiteaMirror added the feature request label 2026-04-13 12:14:24 -05:00

GiteaMirror closed this issue

2026-04-13 12:14:25 -05:00

GiteaMirror commented

2026-04-13 12:14:26 -05:00

@elouangrimm commented on GitHub (May 27, 2025):

Would love this, except that the captcha/turnstile would take time and might not auto populate. I think it's just a me problem, but the turnstile takes 30 seconds every time I add a link and it does not let you send until it's successful.

@elouangrimm commented on GitHub (May 27, 2025): Would love this, except that the captcha/turnstile would take time and might not auto populate. I think it's just a me problem, but the turnstile takes 30 seconds every time I add a link and it does not let you send until it's successful.

GiteaMirror commented

2026-04-13 12:14:26 -05:00

@wukko commented on GitHub (May 28, 2025):

cobalt already supports url prefill via:

#urlhere
?u=urlhere

the hash is preferred, because it doesn't send an unnecessary request to origin.

however, you also suggested starting the download automatically, which no one has suggested before (iirc, correct me if i'm wrong), so i'll rename the issue to that. it's already implemented in an upcoming release, but still

@wukko commented on GitHub (May 28, 2025): cobalt already supports url prefill via: - #urlhere - ?u=urlhere the hash is preferred, because it doesn't send an unnecessary request to origin. however, you also suggested starting the download automatically, which no one has suggested before (iirc, correct me if i'm wrong), so i'll rename the issue to that. *it's already implemented in an upcoming release, but still*

GiteaMirror commented

2026-04-13 12:14:26 -05:00

@wukko commented on GitHub (May 28, 2025):

we should also document the prefill somewhere other than issues, so i'll add that to the issue title too

@wukko commented on GitHub (May 28, 2025): we should also document the prefill somewhere other than issues, so i'll add that to the issue title too

GiteaMirror commented

2026-04-13 12:14:27 -05:00

@qomarhsn commented on GitHub (May 29, 2025):

The auto-starting download feature is working perfectly — thank you for implementing it!

Just a small thing I noticed: when the download starts, the website shows a popup in the top-right corner with the progress. But after the download finishes, the file isn’t saved immediately — I still have to click a button in the popup to save it to my device.

It would be great to have an option for users to choose whether the file should be auto-saved as soon as the download completes, without needing that extra step.

Thanks again for the great update!

@qomarhsn commented on GitHub (May 29, 2025): The auto-starting download feature is working perfectly — thank you for implementing it! Just a small thing I noticed: when the download starts, the website shows a popup in the top-right corner with the progress. But after the download finishes, the file isn’t saved immediately — I still have to click a button in the popup to save it to my device. It would be great to have an option for users to choose whether the file should be auto-saved as soon as the download completes, without needing that extra step. Thanks again for the great update!

GiteaMirror commented

2026-04-13 12:14:28 -05:00

@wukko commented on GitHub (May 29, 2025):

unfortunately it's impossible due to user activation timeout, the browser would simply block the downloaded file

@wukko commented on GitHub (May 29, 2025): unfortunately it's impossible due to [user activation timeout](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Security/User_activation), the browser would simply block the downloaded file

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Reference: github-starred/cobalt#3733