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transcribe-youtube-mcp

transcribe-youtube-mcp

by dazamate
OverviewSchemaSourceRelated ServersDiscussionsAdmin
Python
Remote

transcribe-youtube-mcp

An MCP server that gives Claude access to YouTube video transcripts, using youtube-transcript-api.

Tools

  • get_transcript(video, languages=["en"], include_timestamps=False, offset=0, max_chars=80000) Returns the transcript as text. video can be any YouTube URL (watch, youtu.be, shorts, embed, live) or a bare 11-character video ID. Long transcripts are paged: the response tells Claude which offset to call with next.

  • list_transcripts(video) lists the available languages and whether each one is manual or auto-generated.

Related MCP server: YouTube MCP Server

Setup

uv sync
claude mcp add --scope user youtube-transcript -- uv --directory "$PWD" run server.py

For Claude Desktop, add this to claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "youtube-transcript": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": ["--directory", "/absolute/path/to/transcribe-youtube-mcp", "run", "server.py"]
    }
  }
}

IP blocks

YouTube blocks transcript requests from most cloud-provider IPs and from IPs that make too many requests. If you hit IpBlocked/RequestBlocked, set WEBSHARE_PROXY_USERNAME and WEBSHARE_PROXY_PASSWORD (Webshare residential proxies) in the server's environment, e.g. claude mcp add ... -e WEBSHARE_PROXY_USERNAME=... -e WEBSHARE_PROXY_PASSWORD=.... Standard HTTPS_PROXY env vars are also respected.

Available Tools

2 tools
get_transcriptA
Read-only

Get the transcript of a YouTube video as text.

Args:
    video: YouTube URL (watch, youtu.be, shorts, embed, live) or 11-character video ID.
    languages: Language codes in priority order, e.g. ["de", "en"]. Defaults to ["en"].
        Manually created transcripts are preferred over auto-generated ones.
    include_timestamps: Prefix each caption line with its [m:ss] start time.
    offset: Character offset to start from, for paging through long transcripts.
    max_chars: Maximum characters to return in this call.

Inputs: video (required), offset, languages, max_chars, +1 more. Returns: result

list_transcriptsB
Read-only

List the transcript languages available for a YouTube video.

Args:
    video: YouTube URL or 11-character video ID.

Inputs: video (required). Returns: result

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Loading tool schema changelog…

    Deploy Server
    One endpoint for every MCP toolRayrun runs every MCP server behind one URL and holds the credentials. Each call is decided per client, tool, and argument, then recorded.ray.runAd

    TDQS

    A3.7/5.0

    Scored across 2 tools

    Disambiguation5/5

    The two tools have clearly distinct purposes: get_transcript retrieves transcript content, while list_transcripts only enumerates available languages. There is no overlap in function or confusion about when to use each.

    Naming Consistency5/5

    Both names follow a consistent snake_case verb_noun pattern (get_transcript, list_transcripts). The singular/plural distinction accurately reflects retrieving one transcript versus listing multiple language options.

    Tool Count3/5

    Two tools is on the thin side, though the server's scope (fetching YouTube transcripts) is narrow enough that a small surface is defensible. It borders on feeling minimal for a standalone server.

    Completeness4/5

    The core lifecycle is covered: discovering available languages and retrieving transcript text with paging and formatting options. Minor gaps exist (no batch/multi-video retrieval or search), but no essential operation for single-video transcription is missing.

    Maintenance

    ActivityMaintained
    ResponsivenessNo recent community issues

    Resources

    Related MCP Connectors

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