Turn any YouTube video into text: transcript, title, channel, timestamps.
Scored across 1 tool
There is only one tool, so there is no possibility of selection confusion; its purpose (extract transcript text from a YouTube URL) is unambiguous and clearly scoped for agents that cannot watch video.
The single name 'youtube_reader' follows a clear snake_case, noun_verb-ish convention that reads naturally; there is no competing naming style to contradict it.
A single tool is thin for a server, but the stated purpose is deliberately narrow — one job (read a video as text) — so the minimal surface is defensible rather than a mismatch. A couple of sibling operations (e.g. fetch metadata only, list channel videos) would round it out.
For the read-a-video-as-text domain it returns title, channel, and timestamped transcript, covering the core use case well. Minor gaps remain: no handling of videos without captions, no playlist/channel-level reads, and no options for language or timestamp formatting.
Read a YouTube video as text.
Give a YouTube link and get back the title, channel, and the full spoken transcript with timestamps. For AI agents that cannot watch video.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| url | Yes |
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full behavioral burden. It discloses the return shape (title, channel, timestamped transcript), which is genuinely useful, but says nothing about failure modes or constraints: private/age-restricted videos, missing captions, length limits, or rate limits. Net positive but materially incomplete for an unannotated tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Three short sentences, front-loaded with the core action, followed by the return payload and the audience rationale. No sentence is redundant filler.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
An output schema exists, so the description is not obligated to explain return values, and it still summarizes them helpfully. For a single-parameter read tool this is nearly complete; only operational caveats around transcript availability and access-restricted videos are missing.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 0% for the single required 'url' parameter, so the description must compensate. 'Give a YouTube link' does establish that the url is expected to be a YouTube video link rather than an arbitrary URL, which is meaningful, but it adds no format details (full URL vs. ID, shorts/playlist forms).
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
States a specific verb and resource ('Read a YouTube video as text') and immediately names the concrete payload: title, channel, and full spoken transcript with timestamps. There are no siblings to disambiguate from, so nothing further is required.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
'Give a YouTube link and get back...' defines the input precondition, and 'For AI agents that cannot watch video' establishes the context in which this tool is the right choice. It stops short of any exclusion or edge-case guidance (e.g., videos without captions), so it is clear context rather than explicit when/when-not guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
youtube_readerTranscripts of YouTube videos, playlists and channels with timestamps; SRT or WebVTT too.
YouTube search, whole channels, video stats, comments and full transcripts with timestamps.
Transcripts of YouTube videos, playlists and channels in any language: text, SRT, VTT or JSON.
Transcripts of YouTube videos, channels, playlists and searches; AI transcription when no captions.
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