Summarize

Composable pipeline for summarizing web pages, documents, audio, and video. Mix and match tools based on input type and model preference.

Install

llm needs a persistent install so plugins survive between calls:

uv tool install llm
llm install llm-ollama            # optional: local models via Ollama
brew install steipete/tap/summarize  # optional: all-in-one CLI alternative

markitdown and fabric work as one-shot uvx calls — no permanent install needed.

Quick start by input type

URL → summary

# Jina Reader: zero-install, returns clean markdown
curl -s "https://r.jina.ai/https://example.com" | llm "summarize this"

# With a specific model
curl -s "https://r.jina.ai/https://example.com" | llm -m claude-opus-5 "summarize"

PDF / Word / PPTX / HTML → summary

uvx markitdown file.pdf | llm "summarize"
uvx markitdown file.docx | llm "summarize"

YouTube / audio → summary

# Via summarize CLI (handles transcription)
summarize "https://youtu.be/<id>" --youtube auto

# Local: yt-dlp + whisper pipeline
yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 -o /tmp/audio.mp3 "https://youtu.be/<id>"
uvx openai-whisper /tmp/audio.mp3 --output_format txt
llm "summarize" < /tmp/audio.txt

Stdin / arbitrary text

cat notes.txt | llm "summarize"
echo "long text..." | llm -m ollama/llama3.2 "summarize in 3 bullets"

llm — model selection

llm models                        # list available models
llm -m claude-opus-5 "..."        # Anthropic (needs ANTHROPIC_API_KEY)
llm -m gpt-4o "..."               # OpenAI (needs OPENAI_API_KEY)
llm -m ollama/llama3.2 "..."      # local via Ollama (no key needed)
llm -m gemini-1.5-flash "..."     # Google (needs GEMINI_API_KEY)

Set default model once:

llm models default claude-sonnet-5

fabric — opinionated extraction patterns

Useful when you want structured extraction, not just a summary:

uvx fabric --pattern summarize < input.txt
curl -s "https://r.jina.ai/https://example.com" | uvx fabric --pattern extract_wisdom
curl -s "https://r.jina.ai/https://example.com" | uvx fabric --pattern extract_ideas
uvx fabric --list   # see all available patterns

summarize CLI (steipete) — when to prefer it

Use over the composable pipeline when:

• You need audio diarization (--diarize)
• YouTube via Apify fallback (--youtube auto)
• Multi-provider routing from one tool (--model cli/claude, OpenRouter, GitHub Copilot)
• You want --length control without writing a prompt

summarize "https://example.com" --model anthropic/claude-sonnet-5 --length long
summarize "file.pdf" --model google/gemini-3-flash-preview
summarize "https://youtu.be/<id>" --youtube auto
summarize "https://example.com" --cli claude   # uses claude CLI, no API key

When NOT to use

Use ctx_fetch_and_index instead when you need the content indexed and searchable later in the same session. These tools are one-shot — output is not stored in the context-mode knowledge base.