YouTube MCP server for OpenClaw
Add one block to openclaw.json and your assistant can read videos, search YouTube and watch channels, from whichever chat app you talk to it in.
https://youtubetranscriptapi.com/mcpWhat you need
- A running OpenClaw Gateway.
- An API key from Dashboard → API Keys (or sign in instead, where the app supports it). New accounts get 100 free credits.
Connect OpenClaw
Add the server to openclaw.json
In
~/.openclaw/openclaw.json, add it undermcp.servers:json5mcp: { servers: { youtube: { url: "https://youtubetranscriptapi.com/mcp", transport: "streamable-http", headers: { Authorization: "Bearer ${YTT_API_KEY}" }, }, }, },Set the key and check
Set
YTT_API_KEYin the Gateway's environment and restart it.openclaw mcp doctorchecks the entry, andopenclaw mcp show youtubelists its tools.Ask from any chat
Send your assistant a YouTube link from WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack or wherever you talk to it.
Sign in instead of a key
Set auth: "oauth" on the server, remove the headers, and run openclaw mcp login youtube. While OAuth is on, OpenClaw ignores static headers.
Add the YouTube research skill
Skills are folders with a SKILL.md. Put the youtube-research skill in ~/.agents/skills/youtube-research/ so the assistant picks the cheapest tool and quotes with timestamps.
Try this prompt
What's new on @mkbhd this week? Two lines per video.
The assistant calls get_latest_videos (free) and get_transcript for each new video (1 credit each).
What each call costs
| Tool | What it does | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| get_transcript | Read what's said in any public video | 1 credit |
| search_youtube | Search YouTube for videos or channels | 4 credits |
| search_channel | Search one channel's videos for a topic | 1 credit |
| list_channel_videos | List a channel's latest 100 uploads | 20 credits |
| get_latest_videos | See a channel's 15 newest videos | Free |
| resolve_channel | Turn an @handle into a channel ID | Free |
| list_playlist_videos | List the videos in a playlist | 20 credits |
- Failed calls are never charged: a video without captions, a bad link, a timeout.
- A long transcript comes back in parts. Later parts, and reading the same video again within 24 hours, cost nothing.
- Free tools still need a balance of at least 1 credit.
- New accounts get 100 free credits, no card needed. See plans.
If something doesn't work
›The server isn't listed
Run openclaw mcp list. If it's missing, check the JSON5 syntax and that the block sits under mcp.servers.
›401 Unauthorized
${YTT_API_KEY} must be set where the Gateway runs. openclaw mcp doctor flags unset variables.
›It says I've run out of credits
The app shows our message with a link to billing. Free tools such as get_latest_videos need at least 1 credit too. Calls that fail are never charged.
›"Transcript unavailable" for a video
The video has no captions, is private, or was removed. Nothing is charged. Try another language with “use the Spanish captions”, for example, if the video has captions in a different language.
Disconnect
Revoke the key in Dashboard → API Keys. If you signed in instead, use Dashboard → Connected apps.
OpenClaw changes its menus from time to time. We checked these steps on 18 October 2026 against OpenClaw config extensions, OpenClaw MCP transports and OpenClaw skills. If something looks different, the app has probably moved it; tell us through the contact form.
Product names and logos belong to their owners and are shown only to say which apps this works with. YouTubeTranscriptAPI isn't affiliated with or endorsed by them.
Ready to connect OpenClaw?
Create a free account first if you like: it comes with 100 credits, enough for about 100 transcripts.