YouTube transcript API
The YouTube Data API only gives captions for videos you own. Sourcelane returns the full transcript of any public video — with timestamps and language selection — or every transcript on a channel, so your AI can summarise, search or repurpose them.
From $0.0001 per transcript · no API key · failed calls refunded
What you get
- Full transcript text for any public video
- Timestamped caption segments
- Language selection and manual-caption preference
- Transcripts for every video on a channel
- AI summaries of videos
Just ask your AI
“Summarise this 2-hour podcast into 10 bullet points with timestamps: <url>”
“Pull every transcript from @lexfridman's last 20 videos and find where they discuss AGI timelines.”
Connectors behind it
Your AI picks the right one for the question. Each is priced per result and refunded if it fails.
inputUrlvideoIdtitledurationSecondsuploaderlanguageYouTube Channel Transcripts Scraper$0.02 per transcriptGet transcripts for every video on a YouTube channel or playlist in one run — full text, timestamps, title, views and upload date. Latest, popular or Shorts.sourcesourceTypevideoIdurltitlechannelNameYouTube Video Summarizer$0.06 per videoTurn any YouTube video into a written summary, key takeaways, timestamped chapters, key quotes and an optional blog post draft from its transcript - no watching required.inputUrlvideoIdurltitlechannelTitlechannelIdUse the YouTube transcript API from Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor
Pick your tool and connect in under a minute. Then just ask — for example: “Summarise this 2-hour podcast into 10 bullet points with timestamps: <url>”
Connect Claude
Web, desktop and mobile. One click, then confirm.
- 1Click Add to Claude — claude.ai opens with Sourcelane filled in
- 2Click Continue to confirm — it then works in Claude desktop and mobile too
Manual setup (config files, REST, Python) +
Claude Code
Adds the Sourcelane MCP server with your key as a header.
claude mcp add --transport http sourcelane https://api.usesourcelane.com/mcp \
--header "Authorization: Bearer sl_live_your_agent_key"Claude Desktop (config file)
Alternative to the connector URL: add to claude_desktop_config.json, then restart Claude.
{
"mcpServers": {
"sourcelane": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-remote",
"https://api.usesourcelane.com/mcp",
"--header",
"Authorization:${AUTH_HEADER}"
],
"env": {
"AUTH_HEADER": "Bearer sl_live_your_agent_key"
}
}
}
}Cursor & Windsurf
Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (or Windsurf's mcp_config.json).
{
"mcpServers": {
"sourcelane": {
"url": "https://api.usesourcelane.com/mcp",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer sl_live_your_agent_key"
}
}
}
}VS Code
Save as .vscode/mcp.json. VS Code prompts for your key once.
{
"servers": {
"sourcelane": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://api.usesourcelane.com/mcp",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer ${input:sourcelane-key}"
}
}
},
"inputs": [
{
"type": "promptString",
"id": "sourcelane-key",
"description": "Sourcelane agent key",
"password": true
}
]
}ChatGPT Custom GPT (Actions)
Create a GPT → Actions → Import from URL, then Authentication: API Key, Bearer.
https://usesourcelane.com/openapi.jsonREST
One POST. Pass maxResults to cap cost.
curl -X POST https://api.usesourcelane.com/v1/call \
-H "Authorization: Bearer sl_live_your_agent_key" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"listing":"youtube-transcript-scraper","params":{"videoUrls":["https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw"]},"maxResults":10}'Python, LangChain, CrewAI, OpenAI Agents SDK…
Wrap the REST call as a tool, or point an MCP client at the endpoint.
import requests
res = requests.post(
"https://api.usesourcelane.com/v1/call",
headers={"Authorization": "Bearer sl_live_your_agent_key"},
json={
"listing": "youtube-transcript-scraper",
"params": {"videoUrls":["https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw"]},
"maxResults": 10,
},
timeout=300,
)
body = res.json()
print(body["receipt"]["chargedMicros"], "micro-USD for", body["receipt"]["results"], "results")
print(body["data"])YouTube transcript API — FAQ
What if a video has no captions?+
The transcript connector uses YouTube's captions. For videos with none, the Video Transcriber in the AI & Media category transcribes the audio itself.
How much does a transcript cost?+
It's priced per transcript returned — see the live price on this page. Failed calls are refunded.
Do I need a YouTube API key or developer account?+
No. Sourcelane runs the connectors for you. You top up a balance with a card, create an agent key, and your agent calls the connector — there is no YouTube app review, OAuth setup or rate-limit juggling on your side.
Which AI tools can use it?+
Anything that speaks MCP (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf) can connect to the Sourcelane MCP server with one config block. ChatGPT can use it through a Custom GPT Action, and any agent framework can call the REST endpoint directly.
Can I stop an agent from overspending?+
Yes. Every agent key has its own per-call cap, daily and monthly limits, an optional lifetime budget, an allowlist of connectors, and a kill switch.
