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anirudhyadavMS

YouTube MCP Server

YouTube MCP Server

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that enables YouTube content browsing and summarization using the YouTube Data API v3.

License: MIT Node.js Version TypeScript

Features

  • šŸ” Video Search: Search YouTube for videos by keyword with customizable sorting

  • šŸ“Š Video Details: Get comprehensive metadata about any video (views, likes, duration, tags)

  • šŸ“ Video Transcripts: Fetch video transcripts/captions for summarization and analysis

  • šŸ‘¤ Channel Information: Get channel stats, subscriber counts, and recent videos

  • šŸŽ¬ Channel Videos: List all videos from a specific channel with sorting options

  • šŸ“‹ Playlist Information: Get playlist metadata and video counts

  • šŸŽµ 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

Installation

Option 1: Install from npm (coming soon)

npm install -g youtube-mcp-server

Option 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 build

Getting 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

  1. Go to Google Cloud Console

    • Sign in with your Gmail account

  2. Create a New Project

    • Click "Select a project" → "New Project"

    • Name it (e.g., "YouTube MCP Server")

    • Click "Create"

  3. Enable YouTube Data API v3

    • Use the search bar to find "YouTube Data API v3"

    • Click on it and press "Enable"

  4. Create API Key

    • Go to "APIs & Services" → "Credentials"

    • Click "Create Credentials" → "API key"

    • Copy the generated API key

  5. 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: node

  • Args: Path to dist/server.js

  • Environment: YOUTUBE_API_KEY with your API key

Environment Variables

Alternatively, create a .env file in the project root:

YOUTUBE_API_KEY=your_api_key_here

Usage

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

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

  1. Use transcripts when possible - They don't use API quota

  2. Cache results - Store frequently accessed data locally

  3. Combine operations - Get channel info with videos in one call

  4. Monitor usage - Check quota in Google Cloud Console

  5. Request quota increase - Contact Google if you need more

Checking Your Quota

Visit Google Cloud Console → APIs & Services → Dashboard → YouTube Data API v3

Project Structure

youtube-mcp-server/
ā”œā”€ā”€ src/
│   ā”œā”€ā”€ server.ts           # Main MCP server implementation
│   ā”œā”€ā”€ youtube-api.ts      # YouTube Data API wrapper
│   ā”œā”€ā”€ transcript.ts       # Transcript fetching (web scraping)
│   └── types.ts            # TypeScript type definitions
ā”œā”€ā”€ dist/                   # Compiled JavaScript (generated)
ā”œā”€ā”€ package.json            # Dependencies and scripts
ā”œā”€ā”€ tsconfig.json           # TypeScript configuration
ā”œā”€ā”€ .env.example            # API key template
ā”œā”€ā”€ LICENSE                 # MIT License
ā”œā”€ā”€ CONTRIBUTING.md         # Contribution guidelines
ā”œā”€ā”€ SECURITY.md            # Security best practices
└── README.md              # This file

Development

Build

npm run build

Watch Mode (auto-rebuild on changes)

npm run dev

Start Server Manually

npm start

Error 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

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

  1. Fork the repository

  2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)

  3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')

  4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)

  5. 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

Support


Made with ā¤ļø for the MCP community

Star this repo if you find it useful! ⭐

Available Tools

7 tools
get_channel_infoC

Get detailed information about a YouTube channel including subscriber count, video count, view count, and optionally recent videos.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
channelIdYesYouTube channel ID (e.g., "UC_x5XG1OV2P6uZZ5FSM9Ttw")
includeVideosNoInclude recent videos from the channel (default: false)

TDQS

C2.9/5.0
Behavior2/5

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.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is appropriately concise—a 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.

Completeness2/5

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.

Parameters3/5

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.

Purpose4/5

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.

Usage Guidelines2/5

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.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
channelIdYesYouTube channel ID
maxResultsNoNumber of videos to return (default 25, max 50)
orderNoSort order for videos (default: date)date

TDQS

B3.3/5.0
Behavior2/5

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.

Conciseness5/5

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.

Completeness3/5

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.

Parameters3/5

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.

Purpose4/5

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.

Usage Guidelines3/5

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.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
playlistIdYesYouTube playlist ID (e.g., "PLrAXtmErZgOeiKm4sgNOknGvNjby9efdf")

TDQS

A3.5/5.0
Behavior3/5

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.

Conciseness5/5

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.

Completeness3/5

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.

Parameters3/5

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.

Purpose4/5

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.

Usage Guidelines3/5

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.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
playlistIdYesYouTube playlist ID
maxResultsNoNumber of videos to return (default 50)

TDQS

A3.5/5.0
Behavior2/5

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.

Conciseness5/5

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.

Completeness3/5

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.

Parameters3/5

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.

Purpose5/5

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.

Usage Guidelines3/5

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.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
videoIdYesYouTube video ID (e.g., "dQw4w9WgXcQ")

TDQS

B3.3/5.0
Behavior2/5

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.

Conciseness5/5

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.

Completeness3/5

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.

Parameters3/5

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.

Purpose5/5

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.

Usage Guidelines2/5

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.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
videoIdYesYouTube video ID
languageNoLanguage code for transcript (default: "en")en
includeTimestampsNoInclude timestamps in the output (default: true)

TDQS

B3.3/5.0
Behavior2/5

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.

Conciseness5/5

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.

Completeness3/5

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.

Parameters3/5

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.

Purpose4/5

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.

Usage Guidelines3/5

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.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
queryYesSearch term or keyword
maxResultsNoNumber of results to return (default 10, max 50)
orderNoSort order for results (default: relevance)relevance

TDQS

B3.1/5.0
Behavior2/5

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.

Conciseness5/5

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.

Completeness3/5

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.

Parameters3/5

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.

Purpose4/5

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.

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

A3.6/5.0
Disambiguation5/5

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.

Naming Consistency5/5

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.

Tool Count5/5

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.

Completeness4/5

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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