Install TranscriptAPI — YouTube transcripts (transcriptapi.io) in Claude Code

What you need first

• Claude Code, installed.
• Nothing else: the server runs on its publisher's machines and Claude Code connects to it.
• Your own value for YOUR_AUTHORIZATION.

Steps

1. Run this in a terminal, in the project folder. It adds the server for you in that project; put --scope user after claude mcp add to have it in every project.

claude mcp add --transport http youtube-transcript https://api.transcriptapi.io/mcp --header 'Authorization: YOUR_AUTHORIZATION'

2. Replace YOUR_AUTHORIZATION with your own value.
3. Start Claude Code and type /mcp: the server is listed with its state.

Check it worked

Ask Claude Code: List the tools of youtube-transcript.

If it does not start

401 Unauthorized

The endpoint wants a sign-in or a key. Sign in when Claude Code asks, or check the value in place of the placeholder.

The server starts, but its tools fail

A YOUR_… placeholder is still in the config, or its value is wrong.