MCP server for the full YouTube Data API v3 — playlists, videos, channels, community, captions, and media, all conversationally from Claude.
39 tools with complete schemas and descriptions, but quality is uneven. Most tools have basic 1-2 sentence descriptions (avg ~60 chars, well below the 194-char baseline for A+ tools). Parameter descriptions are present but minimal. No output schemas documented. Error handling is absent, tools return null on API failure with no recovery guidance. Naming is consistent (verb_noun pattern) and clear. No tool annotations (readOnlyHint/destructiveHint) despite clear risk stratification. Missing idempotency guidance for write operations.
Add a video to a playlist
Create a new playlist in the authenticated user's channel
Delete a caption from a video
Delete a comment
Delete a playlist from the authenticated user's channel
Delete an image from a playlist
Delete a video from the authenticated user's channel
Download caption content for a video
No output schemas documented. Tools return mapped objects (mapVideo, mapPlaylist, etc.) but LLMs cannot see the structure. Agents cannot plan downstream calls or extract required fields reliably.
Descriptions are minimal (avg ~50 chars vs 194-char baseline). Most lack context on WHEN to use the tool or what it returns. E.g., 'Get details about a specific video' does not explain what fields are returned or when to call it vs search.
No error handling or recovery guidance. callApi() returns null on failure with only console.error(). LLMs receive no actionable error message, cannot retry intelligently, and cannot suggest alternatives.
| Scored | Grade | Overall | Spec posture | Rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-23 | F | 49 | 2026-07-28+ | v2 |
Get details about a specific channel
Get details about a specific playlist
Get details about a specific video
Post a comment on a video
Post a reply to a comment
List activities from the authenticated user's channel
List captions for a video
List sections of a channel
List comment threads for a video
List available languages for internationalization
List available regions for internationalization
List members of the authenticated user's channel (requires channel membership feature)
List membership levels for the authenticated user's channel
List images for a playlist
List items in a playlist
List playlists from the authenticated user's channel
List replies to a comment thread
List subscriptions from the authenticated user's channel
List reasons for reporting videos as abusive
List available video categories
Remove a video from a playlist
Search for videos, channels, or playlists on YouTube
Set the reply count for a comment thread (internal use)
Update a comment
Update metadata of a playlist
Update a playlist item (e.g., change its position)
Update metadata of a video
Upload a caption file for a video
Upload an image for a playlist
Upload a custom thumbnail for a video
Upload a video to the authenticated user's channel
No tool annotations (readOnlyHint, destructiveHint, idempotentHint). Tools are marked READ_ONLY, WRITE, or DESTRUCTIVE in metadata but not in the MCP tool definition. Agents cannot infer safety or retry semantics.
Pagination parameters (pageToken) present but no guidance on total count or next_cursor. Agents cannot determine if more results exist or how to iterate safely without hitting API limits.