What API keys are required?
At least one of `YOUTUBE_API_KEY`, `YOUTUBE_API_KEY2`, or `YOUTUBE_API_KEY3` must be set. Multiple keys enable automatic fallback on quota exhaustion.
YouTube MCP Server
@ZubeidHendricks
Basic information
About YouTube MCP Server
MCP Server for YouTube API, enabling video management, Shorts creation, and advanced analytics
YouTube MCP Server config
Add this server to your MCP-compatible client using the configuration below.
{
"mcpServers": {
"youtube": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-youtube"
],
"env": {
"YOUTUBE_API_KEY": "<YOUR_API_KEY>"
}
}
}
}YouTube MCP Server tools
10Get detailed information about a YouTube video
Search for videos on YouTube
Get the transcript of a YouTube video
Get information about a YouTube channel
Get information about multiple YouTube channels
Search for YouTube channels by handle, name, or query
Find creator channels from video mentions with channel-size and activity filters
Get videos from a specific channel
Get information about a YouTube playlist
Get videos in a YouTube playlist
Overview
What is YouTube MCP Server?
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server implementation for YouTube that enables AI language models to interact with YouTube content through a standardized interface. It exposes 10 tools for retrieving video details, searching videos and channels, fetching transcripts, and accessing playlist information.
How to use YouTube MCP Server?
Install the package via npm install -g zubeid-youtube-mcp-server or use npx (no installation required). Configure at least one YouTube API key in environment variables (YOUTUBE_API_KEY, YOUTUBE_API_KEY2, YOUTUBE_API_KEY3). Add the server to your Claude Desktop configuration (or VS Code settings) with the appropriate command and API keys. The server automatically falls back to secondary keys when a quota is exhausted.
Key features of YouTube MCP Server
- 10 MCP tools covering videos, channels, transcripts, and playlists
- Automatic API key failover when quota runs out
- Retrieve video transcripts with optional language fallback
- Search videos with filters like date, channel, subscriber band, and creator classification
- Get detailed channel metadata including latest upload time, country, and contact links
Use cases of YouTube MCP Server
- Search for YouTube videos with advanced filtering (recency, subscriber count, channel activity)
- Fetch transcripts of YouTube videos for analysis or summarization
- Discover and filter creator channels based on topic and activity criteria
- Retrieve structured channel information and metadata from YouTube IDs
- List videos in a YouTube playlist for content curation
Frequently asked questions
How do I install YouTube MCP Server for Claude Desktop?
Install globally: `npm install -g zubeid-youtube-mcp-server`. Then add the server block with the command `zubeid-youtube-mcp-server` and your API keys to `claude_desktop_config.json`. Alternatively, use npx without installation by specifying the `npx -y zubeid-youtube-mcp-server` command.
Can I run the server in Docker?
Yes. A Dockerfile is provided. The container defaults to HTTP transport on port 8088 with the endpoint `/mcp` and a readiness check at `/ready`. It loads `.env` automatically if present during build.
What default transcript language is used?
If not specified in a transcript request, the server uses the `YOUTUBE_TRANSCRIPT_LANG` environment variable, which defaults to `en` (English).
Does the server support automatic quota failover?
Yes. When a request fails because the current API key's quota is exhausted, the server retries the same request with the next configured key (`YOUTUBE_API_KEY2`, then `YOUTUBE_API_KEY3`).
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