YouTube MCP Server
Provides tools for searching videos, retrieving comprehensive video metadata, fetching transcripts and captions, and accessing detailed information about channels and playlists.
Click on "Install Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type
@followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@YouTube MCP Serversearch for 'React tutorial' and summarize the top video transcript"
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
YouTube MCP Server
An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that enables YouTube content browsing and summarization using the YouTube Data API v3.
Features
š Video Search: Search YouTube for videos by keyword with customizable sorting
š Video Details: Get comprehensive metadata about any video (views, likes, duration, tags)
š Video Transcripts: Fetch video transcripts/captions for summarization and analysis
š¤ Channel Information: Get channel stats, subscriber counts, and recent videos
š¬ Channel Videos: List all videos from a specific channel with sorting options
š Playlist Information: Get playlist metadata and video counts
šµ Playlist Videos: List all videos in a playlist with positions
Related MCP server: mcp-server-youtube
Why Use This?
AI-Powered Analysis: Perfect for AI assistants like Claude to analyze YouTube content
Cross-Platform: Works with any MCP-compatible client (Claude Code, Cline, etc.)
Comprehensive: Combines YouTube Data API v3 with transcript scraping
Free Tier Friendly: Optimized for Google's free API quota (10,000 units/day)
Type-Safe: Built with TypeScript for reliability
Table of Contents
Prerequisites
Node.js v18 or higher (Download)
YouTube Data API v3 key (free, see Getting a YouTube API Key)
MCP-compatible client (e.g., Claude Code)
Installation
Option 1: Install from npm (coming soon)
npm install -g youtube-mcp-serverOption 2: Install from source
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/anirudhyadavMS/youtube_mcp.git
cd youtube-mcp-server
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Build the project
npm run buildGetting a YouTube API Key
You can get a free YouTube Data API key with any Gmail account (no credit card required).
Step-by-Step Guide
Go to Google Cloud Console
Sign in with your Gmail account
Create a New Project
Click "Select a project" ā "New Project"
Name it (e.g., "YouTube MCP Server")
Click "Create"
Enable YouTube Data API v3
Use the search bar to find "YouTube Data API v3"
Click on it and press "Enable"
Create API Key
Go to "APIs & Services" ā "Credentials"
Click "Create Credentials" ā "API key"
Copy the generated API key
Restrict Your API Key (Recommended for security)
Click on the API key you just created
Under "API restrictions", select "Restrict key"
Choose "YouTube Data API v3" only
Click "Save"
Free Tier Limits
Daily Quota: 10,000 units per day
Search: 100 units per request (~100 searches/day)
Video Details: 1 unit per request (~10,000 requests/day)
Transcripts: Uses web scraping (no quota cost)
Configuration
For Claude Code
Add this to your MCP configuration file:
macOS/Linux: ~/.config/claude-code/mcp_config.json or ~/.mcp.json
Windows: C:\Users\YOUR-USERNAME\.config\claude-code\mcp_config.json or C:\Users\YOUR-USERNAME\.mcp.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"youtube": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "node",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/youtube-mcp-server/dist/server.js"],
"env": {
"YOUTUBE_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}For Other MCP Clients
Configure using stdio transport with:
Command:
nodeArgs: Path to
dist/server.jsEnvironment:
YOUTUBE_API_KEYwith your API key
Environment Variables
Alternatively, create a .env file in the project root:
YOUTUBE_API_KEY=your_api_key_hereUsage
Once configured, restart your MCP client (e.g., Claude Code). The YouTube tools will be automatically available.
Quick Start Examples
Ask your AI assistant:
"Search YouTube for 'python tutorial' and show me the top 5 videos""Get the transcript for video dQw4w9WgXcQ and summarize it""Find the most popular videos from the Fireship channel""What are the videos in the 'Learn Python' playlist?"Available Tools
1. search_youtube
Search YouTube for videos by keyword.
Parameters:
{
query: string // Required: Search term
maxResults?: number // Optional: 1-50, default 10
order?: string // Optional: "relevance" | "date" | "viewCount" | "rating"
}Returns: Array of videos with ID, title, channel, thumbnail, description, views, publish date
2. get_video_details
Get comprehensive metadata about a specific video.
Parameters:
{
videoId: string // Required: YouTube video ID (e.g., "dQw4w9WgXcQ")
}Returns: Detailed video object with title, description, duration, views, likes, tags, category, thumbnails
3. get_video_transcript
Fetch the transcript/captions for a YouTube video.
Parameters:
{
videoId: string // Required: YouTube video ID
language?: string // Optional: Language code, default "en"
includeTimestamps?: boolean // Optional: Include timestamps, default true
}Returns: Full transcript text with optional timestamps
Note: Only works for videos with captions enabled.
4. get_channel_info
Get detailed information about a YouTube channel.
Parameters:
{
channelId: string // Required: YouTube channel ID
includeVideos?: boolean // Optional: Include recent videos, default false
}Returns: Channel name, description, subscriber count, view count, video count, recent videos
5. get_channel_videos
List videos from a specific YouTube channel.
Parameters:
{
channelId: string // Required: YouTube channel ID
maxResults?: number // Optional: 1-50, default 25
order?: string // Optional: "date" | "viewCount" | "title"
}Returns: Array of video objects from the channel
6. get_playlist_info
Get information about a YouTube playlist.
Parameters:
{
playlistId: string // Required: YouTube playlist ID
}Returns: Playlist title, description, video count, channel, thumbnail
7. get_playlist_videos
List all videos in a YouTube playlist.
Parameters:
{
playlistId: string // Required: YouTube playlist ID
maxResults?: number // Optional: 1-50, default 50
}Returns: Array of video objects with playlist positions
Examples
Example 1: Finding Trending Videos
User: "Search for 'AI news' on YouTube, sorted by view count, show me 10 results"
AI uses: search_youtube
{
"query": "AI news",
"maxResults": 10,
"order": "viewCount"
}Example 2: Video Analysis
User: "Get the transcript for video dQw4w9WgXcQ and summarize the main topics"
AI uses: get_video_transcript
{
"videoId": "dQw4w9WgXcQ",
"language": "en",
"includeTimestamps": false
}
AI then summarizes the transcript content.Example 3: Channel Deep Dive
User: "Tell me about the Fireship channel and show me their recent videos"
AI uses: get_channel_info
{
"channelId": "UCsBjURrPoezykLs9EqgamOA",
"includeVideos": true
}Example 4: Playlist Exploration
User: "What videos are in this playlist: PLrAXtmErZgOeiKm4sgNOknGvNjby9efdf"
AI uses: get_playlist_videos
{
"playlistId": "PLrAXtmErZgOeiKm4sgNOknGvNjby9efdf",
"maxResults": 50
}API Quota Management
The YouTube Data API has a daily quota limit. Here's how to manage it:
Quota Costs
Operation | Quota Cost | Requests/Day (10,000 limit) |
Search | 100 units | ~100 searches |
Video Details | 1 unit | ~10,000 requests |
Channel Info | 1 unit | ~10,000 requests |
Playlist Info | 1 unit | ~10,000 requests |
Transcripts | 0 units | Unlimited (web scraping) |
Tips to Conserve Quota
Use transcripts when possible - They don't use API quota
Cache results - Store frequently accessed data locally
Combine operations - Get channel info with videos in one call
Monitor usage - Check quota in Google Cloud Console
Request quota increase - Contact Google if you need more
Checking Your Quota
Visit Google Cloud Console ā APIs & Services ā Dashboard ā YouTube Data API v3
Project Structure
youtube-mcp-server/
āāā src/
ā āāā server.ts # Main MCP server implementation
ā āāā youtube-api.ts # YouTube Data API wrapper
ā āāā transcript.ts # Transcript fetching (web scraping)
ā āāā types.ts # TypeScript type definitions
āāā dist/ # Compiled JavaScript (generated)
āāā package.json # Dependencies and scripts
āāā tsconfig.json # TypeScript configuration
āāā .env.example # API key template
āāā LICENSE # MIT License
āāā CONTRIBUTING.md # Contribution guidelines
āāā SECURITY.md # Security best practices
āāā README.md # This fileDevelopment
Build
npm run buildWatch Mode (auto-rebuild on changes)
npm run devStart Server Manually
npm startError Handling
The server handles common errors gracefully:
Error | Message |
Missing API Key | Clear setup instructions |
Quota Exceeded | Helpful message about daily limits |
Invalid Video/Channel/Playlist ID | User-friendly error |
Transcript Unavailable | "No transcript available for this video" |
Network Errors | Automatic error reporting |
Technology Stack
@modelcontextprotocol/sdk - MCP protocol implementation
googleapis - Official YouTube Data API v3 client
youtube-transcript - Web scraping for public transcripts
TypeScript - Type-safe development
Node.js - Runtime environment
Limitations
API quota limits (10,000 units/day on free tier)
Transcripts only available for videos with captions enabled
Some private or restricted videos may not be accessible
No support for OAuth-only features (comments, ratings, personal data)
Maximum 50 results per request (YouTube API limitation)
Roadmap
Future enhancements being considered:
Caching layer to reduce API quota usage
Support for YouTube Shorts metadata
Batch operations for multiple videos
Live stream detection and metadata
Comment fetching (requires OAuth)
Video category lookup
Trending videos by region
Unit and integration tests
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please see CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.
Quick Contribution Steps
Fork the repository
Create a feature branch (
git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)Commit your changes (
git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')Push to the branch (
git push origin feature/amazing-feature)Open a Pull Request
Security
Please see SECURITY.md for security best practices and how to report vulnerabilities.
Key Security Tips:
Never commit your API key to version control
Restrict your API key to YouTube Data API v3 only
Monitor your API usage regularly
Rotate API keys periodically
License
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
Acknowledgments
Built with the Model Context Protocol by Anthropic
Uses the YouTube Data API v3 by Google
Inspired by the MCP community
Support
Issues: GitHub Issues
Discussions: GitHub Discussions
MCP Documentation: modelcontextprotocol.io
Related Projects
MCP Servers Repository - Official MCP servers
Claude Code - AI coding assistant with MCP support
Cline - Another MCP-compatible client
Made with ā¤ļø for the MCP community
Star this repo if you find it useful! ā
Available Tools
7 toolsget_channel_infoC
Get detailed information about a YouTube channel including subscriber count, video count, view count, and optionally recent videos.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| channelId | Yes | YouTube channel ID (e.g., "UC_x5XG1OV2P6uZZ5FSM9Ttw") | |
| includeVideos | No | Include recent videos from the channel (default: false) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It describes what data is returned but lacks critical behavioral details: it doesn't mention whether this is a read-only operation, potential rate limits, authentication requirements, error conditions, or response format. The description is functional but insufficient for a tool with zero annotation coverage.
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?
The description is appropriately conciseāa single sentence that efficiently communicates the core functionality. It's front-loaded with the main purpose and includes key data points without unnecessary elaboration. However, it could be slightly more structured by separating the core functionality from optional features.
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?
Given the absence of annotations and output schema, the description is incomplete for a tool that retrieves detailed channel information. It lists data points but doesn't describe the return structure, potential pagination for videos, error handling, or API constraints. For a tool with rich data retrieval, this leaves significant gaps for the agent.
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?
The schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already fully documents both parameters. The description adds minimal value beyond the schema: it mentions 'optionally recent videos' which corresponds to the 'includeVideos' parameter, but provides no additional semantic context about parameter usage or implications.
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?
The description clearly states the tool's purpose: 'Get detailed information about a YouTube channel' with specific data points (subscriber count, video count, view count) and optional recent videos. It uses a specific verb ('Get') and resource ('YouTube channel'), but doesn't explicitly differentiate from sibling tools like 'get_channel_videos' or 'get_video_details'.
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?
The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. It doesn't mention sibling tools like 'get_channel_videos' (which might retrieve videos without channel metadata) or 'get_video_details' (which focuses on individual videos), leaving the agent to infer usage context.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_channel_videosB
List videos from a specific YouTube channel. Returns video metadata sorted by date, view count, or title.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| channelId | Yes | YouTube channel ID | |
| maxResults | No | Number of videos to return (default 25, max 50) | |
| order | No | Sort order for videos (default: date) | date |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It mentions sorting and returns video metadata, but does not disclose key behavioral traits such as pagination, rate limits, authentication needs, or what happens with invalid channel IDs. For a read operation with no annotation coverage, this leaves significant gaps in understanding the tool's behavior.
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?
The description is concise and front-loaded, consisting of two sentences that directly state the tool's function and key features (sorting). There is no wasted text, making it efficient and easy to parse.
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?
Given the tool's moderate complexity (3 parameters, no output schema, no annotations), the description is somewhat complete but lacks details on output format, error handling, and behavioral constraints. It covers basic functionality but does not fully compensate for the absence of annotations and output schema, leaving room for improvement.
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 100%, so the schema fully documents all parameters. The description adds minimal value beyond the schema by implying sorting options, but does not provide additional semantics like examples or edge cases. This meets the baseline for high schema coverage.
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?
The description clearly states the tool's purpose: 'List videos from a specific YouTube channel.' It specifies the resource (YouTube channel videos) and verb (list), but does not explicitly differentiate it from sibling tools like 'get_playlist_videos' or 'search_youtube', which also retrieve videos. This makes it clear but not fully distinctive.
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?
The description implies usage by mentioning sorting options, but does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'get_playlist_videos' for playlist-specific videos or 'search_youtube' for broader searches. It provides some context but lacks clear guidance on exclusions or prerequisites.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_playlist_infoA
Get information about a YouTube playlist including title, description, video count, and channel details.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| playlistId | Yes | YouTube playlist ID (e.g., "PLrAXtmErZgOeiKm4sgNOknGvNjby9efdf") |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It discloses that the tool retrieves information (implying read-only, non-destructive behavior) and lists specific data fields returned. However, it doesn't mention potential limitations like rate limits, authentication needs, or error conditions. The description adds basic context but lacks richer behavioral details.
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?
The description is a single, efficient sentence that front-loads the purpose and lists key details without waste. Every word contributes to understanding the tool's function, making it appropriately sized and well-structured.
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?
Given the tool's low complexity (1 parameter, no output schema, no annotations), the description is minimally complete. It covers what the tool does and what data it returns, but lacks output format details or error handling. Without annotations or output schema, more context on behavioral aspects would improve completeness, but it's adequate for a simple read operation.
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 100%, with the parameter 'playlistId' fully documented in the schema. The description does not add any parameter-specific details beyond what the schema provides (e.g., it doesn't explain format or usage further). According to rules, with high schema coverage, the baseline is 3 even without param info in the description.
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?
The description clearly states the action ('Get information') and resource ('YouTube playlist'), specifying what information is retrieved (title, description, video count, channel details). It distinguishes from siblings like 'get_playlist_videos' by focusing on metadata rather than video content, though it doesn't explicitly name alternatives. This is clear but lacks explicit sibling differentiation.
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?
The description implies usage when playlist metadata is needed, but provides no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'get_playlist_videos' for video lists or 'get_channel_info' for channel data. It mentions what information is included, which hints at context, but lacks when-not scenarios or named alternatives.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_playlist_videosA
List all videos in a YouTube playlist with their metadata and position in the playlist.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| playlistId | Yes | YouTube playlist ID | |
| maxResults | No | Number of videos to return (default 50) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. While it mentions what data is returned (videos with metadata and position), it doesn't address important behavioral aspects like pagination (beyond the maxResults parameter), rate limits, authentication requirements, error conditions, or whether the operation is read-only (though implied by 'List'). For a tool with no annotation coverage, this leaves significant gaps.
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?
The description is a single, well-structured sentence that efficiently communicates the tool's purpose and scope without unnecessary words. It's front-loaded with the core functionality and includes relevant details about the returned data. Every element of the description serves a clear purpose.
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?
Given the tool's moderate complexity (2 parameters, no output schema, no annotations), the description provides adequate basic information about what the tool does but lacks completeness. It doesn't address behavioral aspects like pagination, error handling, or authentication that would be important for an agent to use this tool effectively, especially with no annotations to fill those gaps.
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?
The schema description coverage is 100%, with both parameters clearly documented in the schema itself. The description doesn't add any parameter-specific information beyond what's already in the schema (playlistId and maxResults with default). According to scoring rules, when schema coverage is high (>80%), the baseline is 3 even with no param info in the description.
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?
The description clearly states the specific action ('List all videos') and resource ('in a YouTube playlist'), including the scope of returned data ('with their metadata and position in the playlist'). It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like get_playlist_info (which likely returns playlist metadata) and get_channel_videos (which focuses on channel content rather than playlist content).
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?
The description implies usage for retrieving videos from a specific playlist, but provides no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like get_channel_videos or get_video_details. There's no mention of prerequisites, limitations, or comparative scenarios that would help an agent choose between similar tools.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_video_detailsB
Get comprehensive metadata about a specific YouTube video including title, description, duration, views, likes, tags, and thumbnails.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| videoId | Yes | YouTube video ID (e.g., "dQw4w9WgXcQ") |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries full burden but only states what data is returned without disclosing behavioral traits like rate limits, authentication needs, error conditions, or response format. It mentions 'comprehensive metadata' but doesn't clarify if all listed fields are guaranteed or optional.
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?
The description is a single, efficient sentence that front-loads the purpose and lists key fields without waste. Every word earns its place by specifying the tool's function and scope clearly.
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?
For a simple read-only tool with 1 parameter and high schema coverage, the description is adequate but incomplete due to no output schema and no annotations. It covers the purpose and data fields but lacks behavioral context and usage guidelines, making it minimally viable with clear gaps.
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 100%, so the schema already documents the videoId parameter with an example. The description adds no additional parameter semantics beyond implying it fetches data for 'a specific YouTube video', which aligns with the schema but doesn't provide extra value like format constraints or usage tips.
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?
The description clearly states the verb 'Get' and the resource 'comprehensive metadata about a specific YouTube video', listing specific fields like title, description, duration, views, likes, tags, and thumbnails. It distinguishes from siblings by focusing on video metadata rather than channels, playlists, transcripts, or search results.
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?
The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like get_video_transcript for transcripts or search_youtube for broader queries. It implies usage for video metadata but lacks explicit when/when-not instructions or named alternatives.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_video_transcriptB
Fetch the transcript/captions for a YouTube video. Returns the full text with timestamps. Useful for video summarization and content analysis.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| videoId | Yes | YouTube video ID | |
| language | No | Language code for transcript (default: "en") | en |
| includeTimestamps | No | Include timestamps in the output (default: true) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It mentions the return format ('full text with timestamps') and use cases, but it doesn't cover critical aspects like potential errors (e.g., if transcript is unavailable), rate limits, authentication needs, or whether it's a read-only operation. This leaves significant gaps for a tool with no annotation coverage.
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?
The description is appropriately sized and front-loaded, with two concise sentences that directly state the tool's function and utility. Every sentence earns its place by adding clear value without redundancy or unnecessary details.
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?
Given the tool's moderate complexity (3 parameters, no output schema, no annotations), the description is partially complete. It covers the basic purpose and output format but lacks details on behavioral traits, error handling, and integration with sibling tools. With no output schema, it should ideally explain return values more thoroughly, but it does provide some context for a read operation.
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 100%, so the schema fully documents all three parameters. The description adds no additional parameter semantics beyond what's in the schema (e.g., it doesn't explain format details for 'videoId' or 'language' codes). This meets the baseline for high schema coverage but doesn't provide extra value.
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?
The description clearly states the tool's purpose with specific verbs ('fetch') and resources ('transcript/captions for a YouTube video'), and it distinguishes the output format ('full text with timestamps'). However, it doesn't explicitly differentiate from sibling tools like 'get_video_details', which might also provide transcript-related information, keeping it from a perfect score.
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?
The description implies usage contexts ('useful for video summarization and content analysis'), suggesting when to use it, but it lacks explicit guidance on when not to use it or alternatives among sibling tools (e.g., 'get_video_details' might offer similar data). This provides some context but falls short of comprehensive guidelines.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
search_youtubeB
Search YouTube for videos by keyword. Returns video metadata including title, channel, views, and thumbnails.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| query | Yes | Search term or keyword | |
| maxResults | No | Number of results to return (default 10, max 50) | |
| order | No | Sort order for results (default: relevance) | relevance |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries full burden. It mentions what the tool returns ('video metadata including title, channel, views, and thumbnails'), which is helpful behavioral context. However, it doesn't disclose important traits like rate limits, authentication requirements, pagination behavior, or whether results are real-time. For a search tool with no annotations, this leaves significant gaps.
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?
The description is perfectly concise: two sentences that directly state the tool's function and what it returns. Every word earns its place with no redundancy or fluff. It's front-loaded with the core purpose followed by return details.
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?
Given 3 parameters with full schema coverage but no annotations and no output schema, the description provides basic purpose and return information. However, for a search tool that likely has rate limits and authentication considerations, the description should do more to compensate for the lack of structured behavioral data. It's minimally adequate but has clear gaps.
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 100%, so the schema already fully documents all three parameters (query, maxResults, order) with their types, descriptions, defaults, and enum values. The description adds no parameter-specific information beyond what's in the schema. Baseline 3 is appropriate when the schema does all the work.
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?
The description clearly states the tool's purpose: 'Search YouTube for videos by keyword' specifies the verb (search) and resource (YouTube videos). It distinguishes from siblings like get_channel_info or get_video_details by focusing on keyword-based search rather than retrieving specific entities. However, it doesn't explicitly contrast with get_channel_videos or get_playlist_videos which also return videos.
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?
The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. It doesn't mention when to prefer search_youtube over get_channel_videos for finding videos from a specific channel, or when to use get_video_details for known video IDs. There's no context about use cases, prerequisites, or exclusions.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
TDQS
Each tool has a clearly distinct purpose targeting different YouTube resources: channel info, channel videos, playlist info, playlist videos, video details, video transcripts, and general search. There is no overlap in functionality, making tool selection straightforward for an agent.
All tools follow a consistent verb_noun pattern with 'get_' or 'search_' prefixes (e.g., get_channel_info, search_youtube). The naming is uniform and predictable, enhancing usability and reducing cognitive load.
With 7 tools, the server is well-scoped for YouTube operations. Each tool serves a distinct and essential function in the domain, providing comprehensive coverage without being overwhelming or sparse.
The toolset covers core YouTube operations like retrieving channel, playlist, video, and transcript data, plus search. Minor gaps exist, such as no tools for creating or managing content (e.g., upload, comment, like), but these are likely outside the server's read-only scope, and agents can work effectively with the provided tools.
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Related MCP Connectors
YouTube MCP ā wraps the YouTube Data API v3 (BYO API key)
YouTube transcripts, search, channel/playlist listings and upload tracking for AI agents. No signup.
YouTube transcripts, search, channels, playlists and bulk transcript jobs for AI agents. 14 tools.
šÆ The fastest YouTube transcript + YouTube search MCP for AI agents. Try for free.
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