TikStash 📦

💾 Backup • Archive • Preserve Your TikTok Content

TikStash is a user-friendly tool designed to help you create complete backups of TikTok channels. Whether you're a content creator wanting to preserve your work, or a user looking to save your favorite TikTok content locally, TikStash makes it simple and organized.

🎯 Quick Start Guide (For Non-Technical Users)

1. Install Required Programs

   • Install Python from python.org
   • During Python installation, CHECK ✅ "Add Python to PATH"
   • Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux)
   • Type: pip install yt-dlp and press Enter

2. Get TikStash

   • Download TikStash by clicking the green "Code" button above
   • Choose "Download ZIP"
   • Extract the ZIP file to your desktop

3. Run TikStash

   • Open the extracted folder
   • Double-click tikstash.py
   • Enter a TikTok username or URL when prompted
   • Wait for the backup to complete!

Need more detailed instructions? Check the Detailed Installation Guide below.

🌟 What is TikStash?

TikStash is a Python-based application that helps you:

• Download all videos from any public TikTok channel
• Save video metadata (views, dates, descriptions)
• Organize content in a structured way
• Create detailed spreadsheets of your content
• Preserve your digital content locally

🎁 Key Benefits

• Content Safety: Never lose your TikTok videos
• Organized Backup: Everything sorted and labeled
• Easy to Use: Simple command-line interface
• Detailed Information: Complete metadata preservation
• Progress Tracking: Real-time download status

🔧 Technical Overview

Architecture and Components

TikStash
├── Core Functions
│   ├── get_video_info(): JSON metadata retrieval
│   └── download_tiktok_videos(): Main download handler
├── Data Management
│   ├── Videos Backup/: Video storage directory
│   └── MetaData Backup/: CSV data storage
└── Input Processing
    ├── URL validation
    └── Username extraction

Technical Features

• Asynchronous Operations: Uses subprocess for non-blocking operations
• Error Handling: Comprehensive try-catch blocks for robust execution
• Progress Visualization: Dynamic loading animation during operations
• File Management: Automatic directory creation and organization
• Data Validation: Input validation and URL pattern matching
• Resource Management: Proper file handling with context managers

Output Structure

Video Files

Videos Backup/
└── {view_count}_{upload_date}_{channel_name}_video_{id}.{ext}

Metadata Files

MetaData Backup/
└── {channel_name}_datainfo.csv

📋 Requirements

Essential Software

1. Python 3.x

   • Windows: Python's official website
   • Mac: brew install python3
   • Linux: sudo apt-get install python3

2. yt-dlp

   pip install yt-dlp

System Requirements

• OS: Windows 7+ / macOS 10.13+ / Linux
• RAM: 2GB minimum
• Storage: Depends on videos to backup
• Internet: Stable connection required

🚀 Detailed Installation Guide

Windows Step-by-Step

1. Install Python

   • Download Python 3.x from python.org
   • Run the installer
   • ✅ Check "Add Python to PATH"
   • ✅ Check "Install launcher for all users"
   • Click "Install Now"
   • Wait for installation to complete
   • Click "Close"

2. Verify Python Installation

   • Press Win + R
   • Type cmd and press Enter
   • In Command Prompt, type:

     python --version

   • You should see something like Python 3.x.x

3. Install yt-dlp

   • In the same Command Prompt, type:

     pip install yt-dlp

   • Wait for installation to complete

4. Download TikStash

   • Download ZIP from GitHub
   • Right-click ZIP and select "Extract All"
   • Choose a location (e.g., Desktop)
   • Click "Extract"

macOS Step-by-Step

1. Install Homebrew (if not installed)

   /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

2. Install Python

   brew install python3

3. Install yt-dlp

   pip3 install yt-dlp

4. Download and Extract TikStash

   • Download ZIP from GitHub
   • Double-click to extract
   • Move to desired location

Linux Step-by-Step

1. Update Package Manager

   sudo apt update

2. Install Python and pip

   sudo apt install python3 python3-pip

3. Install yt-dlp

   pip3 install yt-dlp

4. Clone TikStash

   git clone https://github.com/Root-FTW/tikstash.git

📱 Usage Guide

Basic Usage

1. Start TikStash

   • Windows: Double-click tikstash.py or run:

     python tikstash.py

   • Mac/Linux: Open Terminal and run:

     python3 tikstash.py

2. Enter Channel Information

   • Use TikTok URL: https://www.tiktok.com/@username
   • Or just username: username

3. Wait for Completion

   • Progress indicator will show status
   • Don't close the window during download

📂 Output Details

Video Files

• Located in: Videos Backup/ directory
• Naming convention: views_date_channelname_videoid.mp4
• Example: 1000000_20230615_username_7123456789.mp4

Metadata CSV

• Located in: MetaData Backup/ directory
• Filename: channelname_datainfo.csv
• Fields:
  • Channel Name
  • Views
  • Upload Date
  • Video ID
  • Description
  • Song/Sound Name

🔧 Advanced Troubleshooting

Error Codes and Solutions

1. Error Code 1: Python Path Issues

   'python' is not recognized...

   Solution: Add Python to system PATH

2. Error Code 2: yt-dlp Installation

   No module named 'yt_dlp'

   Solution: Reinstall using pip with admin rights

3. Error Code 3: Permission Denied

   PermissionError: [Errno 13]

   Solution: Run with appropriate permissions

🛡️ Technical Considerations

Performance Optimization

• Progress tracking
• Error recovery

Security Considerations

• Data validation
• Safe file handling

🔄 Development Workflow

Setting Up Development Environment

1. Clone repository
2. Install dependencies
3. Set up virtual environment
4. Run tests

Contributing Code

1. Fork repository
2. Create feature branch
3. Implement changes
4. Submit pull request

📈 Roadmap

Version 1.1 (Current)

• Dwnload functionality
• CSV metadata export
• Progress tracking
• Error handling

Version 1.2 (Planned)

• GUI interface
• Batch processing
• Custom templates
• Advanced filters

💖 Support and Community

Getting Help

• Create GitHub issue
• LinkedIn support
• Email support

Supporting Development

• Star repository
• Report bugs
• Submit features
• Share project

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

• Built with Python
• Powered by yt-dlp
• Inspired by content preservation needs
• Community contributions

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Made with 💝 by Jonathan Paz