CrystalSky/litetube
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A privacy-focused, lightweight YouTube client built with pure PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Watch YouTube videos without tracking, cookies, or data collection. https://lt.crystalsky.dev/
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README.md

LiteTube

LiteTube is an open-source, ultra lightweight interface for YouTube.

It is a small PHP app with a custom frontend for:

  • searching videos/channels
  • watching videos
  • browsing channels

What It Includes

  • Lightweight UI (no frontend framework)
  • Shared stylesheet (styles.css)
  • Basic file-based caching
  • Basic IP rate limiting
  • Optional mCaptcha gate for search requests

Routes

  • / homepage + search box
  • /results search results (videos + channels)
  • /watch?v=VIDEO_ID video page
  • /c/?id=CHANNEL_ID channel page

Requirements

  • PHP 7.4+
  • A YouTube Data API v3 key
  • Write access to the cache directory

Quick Start

  1. Clone the repo.
  2. Create a .env file in the project root.
  3. Add at least your API key.
  4. Start PHP’s built-in server.

Example:

git clone https://git.crystalsky.dev/CrystalSky/litetube
cd litetube
nano .env #set up your YT API key
php -S localhost:8000

Then open:

  • http://localhost:8000

Minimal .env

YOUTUBE_API_KEY=your_youtube_api_key

Optional .env Settings

CACHE_DIR=./cache/
CACHE_DURATION=300

USE_MCAPTCHA=false
MCAPTCHA_URL=
MCAPTCHA_SECRET=
MCAPTCHA_SITEKEY=
MCAPTCHA_SESSION_WINDOW=600
MCAPTCHA_MAX_SEARCHES=5
MCAPTCHA_COOKIE_NAME=lt_mcaptcha_passed

Notes

  • The app uses YouTube embed/API endpoints.
  • mCaptcha is only needed if you enable it.
  • This project is intentionally simple and easy to self-host.