YouTube Transcript + Search — Claude Code MCP server
A remote MCP server for YouTube video and channel search, transcripts, channel browsing, and playlists. Use it when an agent needs source material from YouTube.
claude mcp add --transport http youtube-transcript-and-youtube-search https://getyoutubetranscript.com/api/mcpWhat YouTube Transcript + YouTube Search MCP does
This server gives an agent a remote YouTube connection through https://getyoutubetranscript.com/api/mcp. It can locate videos or channels, inspect a channel’s uploads, search within a channel, fetch transcripts, and work with playlists. The agent can chain a search with transcript retrieval on its own.
The repository also includes an Agent Plugins package with plugin.json, mcp.json, and skills/youtube/SKILL.md. The skill describes tool selection and credit usage. There is no local server build step. Authentication works with an API key or OAuth 2.1; an API-key setup requires a getyoutubetranscript.com account.
What it helps with
- find videos by topic or channel
- retrieve a transcript from a YouTube link
- compare transcripts from several videos
- browse a channel’s upload history
- extract items from a playlist
Example prompts for the agent
- Search @veritasium for videos about black holes and fetch transcripts for the strongest matches.
- Get the transcript from this YouTube link and summarize its main claims.
- Search within this channel for videos about the requested topic, then compare their content.
How to install YouTube Transcript + YouTube Search MCP
Platform CLI: remote server
claude mcp add --transport http youtube-transcript-and-youtube-search https://getyoutubetranscript.com/api/mcpPlatform CLI: remote server
codex mcp add youtube-transcript-youtube-search-mcp --url https://getyoutubetranscript.com/api/mcpConfig file
{
"mcpServers": {
"youtube-transcript-youtube-search-mcp": {
"url": "https://getyoutubetranscript.com/api/mcp"
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"youtube-transcript-youtube-search-mcp": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://getyoutubetranscript.com/api/mcp"
}
}
}Platform CLI: remote server
gemini mcp add -t http youtube-transcript-youtube-search-mcp https://getyoutubetranscript.com/api/mcpStep by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about YouTube Transcript + YouTube Search MCP
How do I install YouTube Transcript + YouTube Search MCP in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add --transport http youtube-transcript-and-youtube-search https://getyoutubetranscript.com/api/mcp, then run claude mcp add --transport http youtube-transcript-youtube-search-mcp https://getyoutubetranscript.com/api/mcp.
What does YouTube Transcript + YouTube Search MCP do?
It lets an agent search YouTube videos and channels, retrieve transcripts, browse channels, and work with playlists through a remote MCP server.
What authentication does the server support?
You can connect with an API key or OAuth 2.1. The server runs remotely, so a local installation is not required.
