# Quick Start Guide
Get the YouTube MCP Server running in 5 minutes!
## Prerequisites
- Node.js v18+ ([Download](https://nodejs.org/))
- Gmail account (for free YouTube API key)
## 1. Get YouTube API Key (2 minutes)
1. Go to https://console.cloud.google.com
2. Create a new project
3. Search for "YouTube Data API v3" → Enable it
4. Go to Credentials → Create Credentials → API Key
5. Copy your API key
**Tip:** Restrict your key to "YouTube Data API v3" only for security.
## 2. Install Server (1 minute)
```bash
# Clone or download this repository
cd youtube-mcp-server
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Build
npm run build
```
## 3. Configure Claude Code (2 minutes)
Edit your MCP config file:
**Windows:** `C:\Users\YourName\.config\claude-code\mcp_config.json`
**Mac/Linux:** `~/.config/claude-code/mcp_config.json`
Add this:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"youtube": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "node",
"args": ["FULL_PATH_TO/youtube-mcp-server/dist/server.js"],
"env": {
"YOUTUBE_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
```
Replace:
- `FULL_PATH_TO` with your actual path (use `pwd` to find it)
- `YOUR_API_KEY_HERE` with your API key from step 1
## 4. Restart Claude Code
Completely quit and reopen Claude Code.
## 5. Test It!
Ask Claude Code:
```
"Search YouTube for 'machine learning' and show me the top 5 videos"
```
Or:
```
"Get the transcript for video dQw4w9WgXcQ and summarize it"
```
## 🎉 Done!
You now have 7 YouTube tools available:
- ✅ Video search
- ✅ Video details
- ✅ Video transcripts
- ✅ Channel info
- ✅ Channel videos
- ✅ Playlist info
- ✅ Playlist videos
## Troubleshooting
**Error: "YouTube client not initialized"**
→ Check your API key in the config file
**Error: "Quota exceeded"**
→ You've used your daily limit (10,000 units). Resets at midnight PT.
**Server not loading?**
→ Check the path to `server.js` is correct and absolute (not relative)
## Next Steps
- Read [README.md](README.md) for all features
- Check [SETUP_GUIDE.md](SETUP_GUIDE.md) for detailed instructions
- Review [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md) for API key best practices
## Free API Limits
- 10,000 quota units per day (free forever)
- ~100 searches per day
- ~10,000 video detail requests per day
- Unlimited transcripts (web scraping, no quota)
## Need Help?
- [Full Documentation](README.md)
- [Detailed Setup Guide](SETUP_GUIDE.md)
- [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/anirudhyadavMS/youtube_mcp/issues)
---
**Enjoying this? Star the repo! ⭐**
