VS Code · about 2 minutes · Sign in or API keyYouTube MCP server for Visual Studio Code
Give Copilot's agent mode YouTube tools: install with one link and sign in, or add a few lines to mcp.json with a key VS Code asks for once.
https://youtubetranscriptapi.com/mcpWhat you need
- VS Code with GitHub Copilot, using agent mode.
- On Copilot Business or Enterprise, an admin must turn on the “MCP servers in Copilot” policy. It's off by default there; Copilot Free, Pro and Pro+ aren't affected.
- An API key from Dashboard → API Keys (or sign in instead, where the app supports it). New accounts get 100 free credits.
Connect VS Code
Click the install link
VS Code opens and asks to add the youtube server.
Sign in
When the server starts, VS Code asks to sign in. Approve on our consent screen in the browser.
Pick the tools in agent mode
Open Copilot Chat in agent mode and make sure the youtube tools are ticked in the tools picker.
Or add it to mcp.json with an API key
In .vscode/mcp.json (or run “MCP: Open User Configuration” for all workspaces). VS Code asks for the key once and stores it securely:
{
"inputs": [
{ "type": "promptString", "id": "ytt-key", "description": "YouTubeTranscriptAPI key", "password": true }
],
"servers": {
"youtube": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://youtubetranscriptapi.com/mcp",
"headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer ${input:ytt-key}" }
}
}
}From a terminal you can also run:
code --add-mcp '{"name":"youtube","type":"http","url":"https://youtubetranscriptapi.com/mcp"}'Try this prompt
Use the youtube tools to get the latest videos from @freecodecamp and tell me which one covers Python.
Copilot calls get_latest_videos, which is free.
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 install link doesn't open VS Code
Your browser may block vscode: links. Use the mcp.json entry or the code --add-mcp command instead.
›MCP servers are disabled
On Copilot Business or Enterprise, your admin controls the MCP policy. Ask them to enable “MCP servers in Copilot”.
›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.
VS Code changes its menus from time to time. We checked these steps on 18 October 2026 against VS Code: MCP servers, VS Code: MCP configuration reference and GitHub Docs: MCP management. 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. Visual Studio Code and its icon are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. YouTubeTranscriptAPI isn't affiliated with or endorsed by them.
Ready to connect VS Code?
Create a free account first if you like: it comes with 100 credits, enough for about 100 transcripts.