YouTube API

YouTube data access via [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, generate a secure password.

node ./scripts/tapi-auth.js register --email USER_EMAIL --password SECURE_PASS --json

→ OTP sent to email. Ask user: _"Check your email for a 6-digit verification code."_
⚠️ SAVE THE PASSWORD — you need it again in Step 2!

Step 2 — Verify: Once user provides the OTP (use SAME password from Step 1):

node ./scripts/tapi-auth.js verify --email USER_EMAIL --password SECURE_PASS --otp CODE --json

→ Returns api_key (starts with sk_).

Step 3 — Save: Store the key (auto-configures agent + shell):

node ./scripts/tapi-auth.js save-key --key API_KEY --json

→ Ready to use. Agent runtime picks up the key automatically.

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

Endpoint Reference

All endpoints: | 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_id=UC_ID | GET | **free** | | /channel/videos?channel_id=UC_ID | GET | 1/page | | /channel/search?channel_id=UC_ID&q=Q | GET | 1 | | /playlist/videos?playlist_id=PL_ID | GET | 1/page | ## Quick Examples **Search videos:** __CODE_BLOCK_3__ **Get transcript:** __CODE_BLOCK_4__ **Resolve channel handle (free):** __CODE_BLOCK_5__ **Latest videos (free):** __CODE_BLOCK_6__ **Browse channel uploads (paginated):** __CODE_BLOCK_7__ **Browse playlist (paginated):** __CODE_BLOCK_8__ ## Parameter Validation | Field | Rule | | -------------- | ------------------------------------------- | | channel_id | ^UC[a-zA-Z0-9_-]{22}$ (24 chars total) | | playlist_id | starts with PL, UU, LL, FL, or OL | | 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.