MCP MCP Server

MCP server for YouTube — search videos, get transcripts, read comments and more

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What is the MCP MCP server?

MCP server for YouTube — search videos, get transcripts, read comments and more. That is what the mcp mcp server brings to an AI assistant: the same capability, reachable through the Model Context Protocol rather than a separate app or dashboard.

The short version

A Rust MCP server for YouTube. Search videos, read channels, browse playlists, fetch comments, and get transcripts — all from your AI assistant.

  • Full YouTube Data API v3 coverage — — videos, channels, playlists, comments, categories, trending, search with all filters and sorting options
  • Working transcripts — — uses rustypipe (InnerTube API) for reliable subtitle/caption extraction, including auto-generated captions. No API key quota consumed for transcripts
  • Single binary, zero runtime dependencies — — written in Rust, starts instantly
  • Typed filter enums — — search filters (duration, definition, license, etc.) are exposed as typed enums in the JSON schema, so AI models know exactly which values are valid without guessing

The tools it exposes

The server publishes 5 tools. What each one is for:

  • Videos — The Videos tool exposed by this server
  • Channels — The Channels tool exposed by this server
  • Playlists — The Playlists tool exposed by this server
  • Comments — The Comments tool exposed by this server
  • Debugging — The Debugging tool exposed by this server

What it needs from you

Configuration is passed through the environment: YOUTUBE_API_KEY, YOUR_API_KEY. Treat anything key-shaped as a real credential — scope it to the minimum the server needs, and rotate it if it ever lands in a shared config.

Getting it running

Setup follows the usual MCP pattern — install or clone the server, register it in your client's configuration file, restart the client. The configuration blocks on this page cover the common clients.

How it compares

Among the developer tooling options, the useful question is rarely "what can it do" but "what does it cost you to run" — permissions, credentials, and how much of your context its toolset consumes. MCP's toolset — Videos, Channels, Playlists and 2 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow.

This entry was verified against MCP's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.

Things to watch

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • Missing credentials fail quietly in some clients — if no tools show up, check the environment block first.
  • Keep per-call confirmation enabled while you learn its behaviour; it is the cheapest safeguard you have.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
VideosThe Videos tool exposed by this server.
ChannelsThe Channels tool exposed by this server.
PlaylistsThe Playlists tool exposed by this server.
CommentsThe Comments tool exposed by this server.
DebuggingThe Debugging tool exposed by this server.

How to install the MCP MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "youtube": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["mcp-server-youtube"],
      "env": {
        "YOUTUBE_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

VariableDescriptionRequired
YOUTUBE_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes
YOUR_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes

Example prompts to try

  • Use MCP to Videos.
  • Use MCP to Channels.
  • Use MCP to Playlists.

Frequently asked questions

It connects MCP to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 5 tools (Videos, Channels, Playlists, and more) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with MCP directly.