MCP server

YouTube MCP Server

Search YouTube, read video details, channel stats and transcripts with the Data API. Community-maintained (ZubeidHendricks on GitHub), not by the company whose product it connects to. It runs locally on your machine over stdio. Setup below for 12 clients (checked 2026-10-25). Repo and registry data checked 2026-10-24.

Maintainer: Community
Runs: Local (stdio)
Repo: ZubeidHendricks/youtube-mcp-server
GitHub: ★ 588, last push 2026-08-08 (checked 2026-10-24)
License: MIT
Connects to: YouTube

Install the YouTube MCP Server

Pick your client. Each tab starts the same local command. Config shapes checked against each client's docs on 2026-10-25.

Run in a terminal. Everything after -- is the command that starts the server. docs

claude mcp add --transport stdio youtube -- npx -y zubeid-youtube-mcp-server

Claude Desktop only: Settings > Developer > Edit Config opens claude_desktop_config.json. Add this, save and restart the app. docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "youtube": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "zubeid-youtube-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (all projects) or .cursor/mcp.json (this project), or use the install button. docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "youtube": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "zubeid-youtube-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Add to Cursor

Add to .vscode/mcp.json (note the "servers" key and the type), or use the install button. Command Palette > "MCP: Open User Configuration" for all workspaces. docs

{
  "servers": {
    "youtube": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "zubeid-youtube-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Add to VS Code

Run codex mcp add youtube -- npx -y zubeid-youtube-mcp-server, or add this to ~/.codex/config.toml. docs

[mcp_servers.youtube]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "zubeid-youtube-mcp-server"]

Run in a terminal (-s user adds it for all projects; the default is this project). docs

gemini mcp add -s user youtube npx -- -y zubeid-youtube-mcp-server

Run in a terminal; it writes ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json. docs

copilot mcp add youtube -- npx -y zubeid-youtube-mcp-server

Add to mcp_config.json: ~/.config/devin/mcp_config.json on macOS and Linux (older installs: ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json), %APPDATA%\devin\ on Windows. docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "youtube": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "zubeid-youtube-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Add to Zed's settings.json (or Settings > AI > MCP Servers > Add Server). Remote servers without an Authorization header sign in with OAuth. docs

{
  "context_servers": {
    "youtube": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "zubeid-youtube-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Add to opencode.json in the project (or ~/.config/opencode/opencode.json). docs

{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "mcp": {
    "youtube": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": [
        "npx",
        "-y",
        "zubeid-youtube-mcp-server"
      ],
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}

Add to ~/.kiro/settings/mcp.json (all projects) or .kiro/settings/mcp.json (this project). docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "youtube": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "zubeid-youtube-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

MCP Servers > Configure > Configure MCP Servers opens cline_mcp_settings.json; add this entry. docs

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "youtube": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "zubeid-youtube-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Security notes

The local server runs with your user's permissions (npx downloads it from npm on first run).
It brings web content into the conversation, which can carry prompt-injection instructions. Keep approval prompts on for actions that write or send.
Community code: read it (or at least the tools it registers) before you give it credentials.

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FAQ

What does the YouTube MCP Server do?+

Search YouTube, read video details, channel stats and transcripts with the Data API.

Is the YouTube MCP server official?+

Community-maintained (ZubeidHendricks on GitHub), not by the company whose product it connects to.

How do I add YouTube to Claude Code?+

Run: claude mcp add youtube -- npx -y zubeid-youtube-mcp-server. Add --scope project to share it with your team through .mcp.json.

How do I use the YouTube MCP server in Cursor or VS Code?+

Open the Cursor or VS Code tab above: it has the mcp.json entry and a one-click install link. Cursor uses the "mcpServers" key; VS Code uses "servers" and needs a type ("stdio").

Does YouTube work in ChatGPT and claude.ai?+

No: it runs locally over stdio, and ChatGPT and claude.ai only connect to remote servers. Use it in Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code or another client that can start a local process.

What are the alternatives to the YouTube MCP server?+

Other search MCP servers: Exa, Perplexity, Tavily, Brave Search and Jina AI.

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