The full upstream README, mirrored here for reference. Install config, tool schemas, adoption signals, and an original overview live on the Ytranscript MCP listing page.
An MCP server that gives Claude, Cursor, VS Code, and other AI tools the transcript of any YouTube video.
lang to pick a specific caption track.Add this to claude_desktop_config.json. Open it from Settings → Developer → Edit Config.
Add this to ~/.cursor/mcp.json, or to .cursor/mcp.json in a project:
Add this to .vscode/mcp.json:
Any other MCP client that runs stdio servers works the same way: run npx -y ytranscript-mcp with YTRANSCRIPT_API_KEY set.
get_transcript| Argument | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
video | yes | A YouTube URL (watch, youtu.be, shorts, embed) or an 11-character video ID |
lang | no | Language code of the caption track to fetch, such as en or es. Omit it to get the video's original language |
format | no | text (default) returns plain text. timestamped returns one line per segment with [m:ss] times |
max_characters | no | Cut the transcript at about this many characters. The response says how much was left out |
Things to ask your assistant:
Every response ends with the units used and your monthly total, so you can keep an eye on your quota.
A transcript from captions costs 1 unit. A video without captions, transcribed with AI, costs 15 units. Failed requests are free.
| Plan | Price | Units per month |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 50 |
| Starter | $9/mo | 1,000 |
| Developer | $29/mo | 10,000 |
| Scale | $79/mo | 50,000 |
See ytranscript.com/developers for details.
ytranscript-api is the JavaScript/TypeScript client this server is built on.MIT