# YouTube MCP

Connect an AI assistant to YouTube search, video transcripts, channel details, and more. Transcript retrieval works without API credentials.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 6
- Author: mrsknetwork
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/mrsknetwork/ytmcp
- Updated: 2026-07-23
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/youtube-mcp

## What it does

YouTube MCP lets an assistant search for videos, channels, and playlists, then fetch transcripts, comments, video details, and channel data. Search filters include publication dates, duration, video quality, and region. Trending results can be narrowed by country and category.

The `get_video_transcript` tool uses `yt-dlp` and needs no credentials. For public search and metadata, provide a Google API key after enabling YouTube Data API v3. Private subscriptions and channel membership details use OAuth 2.0, so those account-specific tools require OAuth setup.

In Claude Code, add the server with `claude mcp add ytmcp -- npx -y @mrsknetwork/ytmcp`. Set `GOOGLE_API_KEY` for public API tools. OAuth credentials go in the MCP configuration as environment variables; the server also supports Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, and Gemini CLI.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add ytmcp -- npx -y @mrsknetwork/ytmcp
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add youtube-mcp -- npx -y @mrsknetwork/ytmcp
```

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "youtube-mcp": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@mrsknetwork/ytmcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "youtube-mcp": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@mrsknetwork/ytmcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add youtube-mcp npx -y @mrsknetwork/ytmcp
```

## When to use it
- Search videos by topic, date, and region
- Retrieve spoken text from a video
- Look up channel details by ID or `@handle`
- Fetch video comments and their replies
- Inspect playlists and their video entries

## Example prompts
- Find YouTube videos about MCP setup from a chosen region.
- Get the English transcript for this video.
- Show channel details and recent activity for `@MrBeast`.

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