Model Context Protocol (MCP)

Plug YouTubeTranscriptAPI directly into ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, VS Code, and 20+ other clients.

Endpoint

bash

https://youtubetranscriptapi.com/mcp

Connect to Claude Desktop

Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json (Settings → Developer → Edit Config):

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "transcriptapi": {
      "url": "https://youtubetranscriptapi.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Connect to ChatGPT

Inside the ChatGPT desktop app, open Settings → Connectors → Add custom MCP and paste the URL above with your API key.

Connect to Cursor / VS Code

Both editors support MCP via their respective settings panels. Paste the URL and bearer token; tools will appear automatically in the agent panel.

Available tools

youtube.transcript — same as the REST endpoint.
youtube.search — videos / channels.
youtube.channel.search
youtube.channel.videos
youtube.channel.latest
youtube.channel.resolve
youtube.playlist.videos

Credit accounting is identical to the REST API. Free tools require ≥1 active credit.