mcp-yt-dlp
by pauloFroes
README.md
# mcp-yt-dlp
MCP server wrapping [yt-dlp](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp) for downloading videos and audio from URLs.
Works with Claude Code, Codex, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, and any MCP-compatible client.
## Prerequisites
- **Node.js** 18+
- **yt-dlp** installed and in PATH
Install yt-dlp:
```bash
brew install yt-dlp
```
## Installation
### Claude Code
```bash
claude mcp add yt-dlp -- npx -y github:pauloFroes/mcp-yt-dlp
```
### Codex
Add to your `codex.toml`:
```toml
[mcp.yt-dlp]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "github:pauloFroes/mcp-yt-dlp"]
```
### Claude Desktop
Add to `claude_desktop_config.json`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"yt-dlp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "github:pauloFroes/mcp-yt-dlp"]
}
}
}
```
### Cursor
Add to `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"yt-dlp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "github:pauloFroes/mcp-yt-dlp"]
}
}
}
```
### VS Code
Add to `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
"servers": {
"yt-dlp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "github:pauloFroes/mcp-yt-dlp"]
}
}
}
```
### Windsurf
Add to `~/.windsurf/mcp.json`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"yt-dlp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "github:pauloFroes/mcp-yt-dlp"]
}
}
}
```
## Available Tools
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `check_dependencies` | Check if yt-dlp is installed and available in PATH |
| `get_video_info` | Get video metadata (title, duration, resolution, fps, thumbnail) |
| `download_video` | Download video from URL to local file (best quality MP4) |
| `download_audio` | Download audio only from URL as MP3 |
## License
MIT
TDQS
A4.2/5.0
Scored across 4 tools
Disambiguation5/5
Each tool has a distinctly different role: environment check, metadata retrieval, video download, and audio download. There is no overlap in purpose or output.
Naming Consistency5/5
All tool names follow a consistent verb_noun pattern (check_dependencies, get_video_info, download_video, download_audio), making the naming predictable.
Tool Count5/5
Four tools is a compact and well-scoped set for a yt-dlp wrapper, covering the essential actions without unnecessary bloat.
Completeness4/5
The set covers the core workflow: verify environment, fetch metadata, and download video or audio. Minor gaps exist (e.g., no explicit playlist support or format selection), but the surface is sufficient for typical use.