youtube-api
This skill provides YouTube data access via https://transcriptapi.com without a Google API key. It instructs running node ./scripts/tapi-auth.js, writes the TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY into agent config (~/.clawdbot/moltbot.json), shell rc files (e.g., ~/.zshenv, ~/.profile) and ~/.transcriptapi.
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: https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/...
| 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:
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/search\
?q=python+tutorial&type=video&limit=10" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
Get transcript:
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):
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/channel/resolve?input=@mkbhd" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
Latest videos (free):
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/channel/latest?channel_id=UC_CHANNEL_ID" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
Browse channel uploads (paginated):
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/channel/videos?channel_id=UC_CHANNEL_ID" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
# Use continuation token from response for next pages
Browse playlist (paginated):
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/playlist/videos?playlist_id=PL_PLAYLIST_ID" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
Parameter Validation
| Field | Rule |
|---|---|
channel_id | ^UC[a-zA-Z0-9_-]{22}$ (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.