---
name: youtube-api
description: YouTube API access without the official API quota hassle — transcripts, search, channels, playlists, and metadata with no Google API key needed. Use when the user needs YouTube data programmatically, wants to avoid Google API quotas, or asks for "youtube api", "get video data", "youtube without api key", "no quota youtube".
homepage: https://transcriptapi.com
user-invocable: true
metadata: {"openclaw":{"emoji":"⚡","requires":{"env":["TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"],"bins":["node"],"config":["~/.openclaw/openclaw.json"]},"primaryEnv":"TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"}}
---

# YouTube API

YouTube data access via [TranscriptAPI.com](https://transcriptapi.com) — no Google API quota needed.

## Setup

If `$TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY` is not set, help the user create an account (100 free credits, no card):

**Step 1 — Register:** Ask user for their email.

```bash
node ./scripts/tapi-auth.js register --email USER_EMAIL
```

→ OTP sent to email. Ask user: _"Check your email for a 6-digit verification code."_

**Step 2 — Verify:** Once user provides the OTP:

```bash
node ./scripts/tapi-auth.js verify --token TOKEN_FROM_STEP_1 --otp CODE
```

> API key saved to `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`. See **File Writes** below for details. Existing file is backed up before modification.

Manual option: [transcriptapi.com/signup](https://transcriptapi.com/signup) → Dashboard → API Keys.

## File Writes

The verify and save-key commands save the API key to `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json` (sets `skills.entries.transcriptapi.apiKey` and `enabled: true`). **Existing file is backed up to `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json.bak` before modification.**

To use the API key in terminal/CLI outside the agent, add to your shell profile manually:
`export TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY=<your-key>`

## API Reference

Full OpenAPI spec: [transcriptapi.com/openapi.json](https://transcriptapi.com/openapi.json) — consult this for the latest parameters and schemas.

## Endpoint Reference

All endpoints: `https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/...`

Channel endpoints accept `channel` — an `@handle`, channel URL, or `UC...` ID. Playlist endpoints accept `playlist` — a playlist URL or ID.

| Endpoint                            | Method | Cost     |
| ----------------------------------- | ------ | -------- |
| `/transcript?video_url=ID`          | GET    | 1        |
| `/search?q=QUERY&type=video`        | GET    | 1        |
| `/channel/resolve?input=@handle`    | GET    | **free** |
| `/channel/latest?channel=@handle`   | GET    | **free** |
| `/channel/videos?channel=@handle`   | GET    | 1/page   |
| `/channel/search?channel=@handle&q=Q` | GET  | 1        |
| `/playlist/videos?playlist=PL_ID`   | GET    | 1/page   |

## Quick Examples

**Search videos:**

```bash
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/search\
?q=python+tutorial&type=video&limit=10" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
```

**Get transcript:**

```bash
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/transcript\
?video_url=dQw4w9WgXcQ&format=text&include_timestamp=true&send_metadata=true" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
```

**Resolve channel handle (free):**

```bash
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/channel/resolve?input=@TED" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
```

**Latest videos (free):**

```bash
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/channel/latest?channel=@TED" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
```

**Browse channel uploads (paginated):**

```bash
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/channel/videos?channel=@NASA" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
# Use continuation token from response for next pages
```

**Browse playlist (paginated):**

```bash
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/playlist/videos?playlist=PL_PLAYLIST_ID" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
```

## Parameter Validation

| Field          | Rule                                                    |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| `channel`      | `@handle`, channel URL, or `UC...` ID                   |
| `playlist`     | Playlist URL or ID (`PL`/`UU`/`LL`/`FL`/`OL` prefix)   |
| `q` (search)   | 1-200 chars                                             |
| `limit`        | 1-50                                                    |
| `continuation` | non-empty string                                        |

## Why Not Google's API?

|             | Google YouTube Data API         | TranscriptAPI              |
| ----------- | ------------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Quota       | 10,000 units/day (100 searches) | Credit-based, no daily cap |
| Setup       | OAuth + API key + project       | Single API key             |
| Transcripts | Not available                   | Core feature               |
| Pricing     | $0.0015/unit overage            | $5/1000 credits            |

## Errors

| Code | Meaning           | Action                    |
| ---- | ----------------- | ------------------------- |
| 401  | Bad API key       | Check key                 |
| 402  | No credits        | transcriptapi.com/billing |
| 404  | Not found         | Resource doesn't exist    |
| 408  | Timeout/retryable | Retry once after 2s       |
| 422  | Validation error  | Check param format        |
| 429  | Rate limited      | Wait, respect Retry-After |

Free tier: 100 credits, 300 req/min. Starter ($5/mo): 1,000 credits.