/youtube

name: youtube
description: "Use whenever the user mentions YouTube, video uploads, channel management, playlists, video SEO, or any YouTube Data API operation. Manages videos, playlists, comments, captions, subscriptions, thumbnails, analytics, and more."
license: MIT
compatibility: Requires the yutu CLI binary (installable via npm, brew, or winget) and Google Cloud OAuth credentials for YouTube Data API v3.
metadata:
  author: eat-pray-ai
  homepage: "https://github.com/eat-pray-ai/yutu"

YouTube

Manage YouTube resources via MCP tool calls — abuseReport, activity, caption, channel, channelBanner, channelSection, comment, commentThread, i18nLanguage, i18nRegion, liveBroadcast, liveChatBan, liveChatMessage, liveChatModerator, liveStream, member, membershipsLevel, playlist, playlistImage, playlistItem, search, subscription, superChatEvent, thirdPartyLink, thumbnail, video, videoAbuseReportReason, videoCategory, watermark.

Setup

Ensure `yutu` is installed and running as an MCP server. See [references/setup.md](references/setup.md).

Key Principles

• **Confirm before deleting**: Always list exactly what will be deleted and get explicit user confirmation before calling any destructive tool.
• **Verify targets**: Before modifying or deleting, use a read tool to confirm the resource exists and matches the user's intent.
• **Preserve existing data**: When updating resources, only modify fields the user explicitly asked to change.
• **Report resource IDs**: Always include resource IDs in responses so the user can reference them.

Tools

Read (safe, no side effects)

• `activity-list`
• `caption-download`
• `caption-list`
• `channel-list`
• `channelSection-list`
• `comment-list`
• `commentThread-list`
• `i18nLanguage-list`
• `i18nRegion-list`
• `liveBroadcast-list`
• `liveChatMessage-list`
• `liveChatModerator-list`
• `liveStream-list`
• `member-list`
• `membershipsLevel-list`
• `playlist-list`
• `playlistImage-list`
• `playlistItem-list`
• `search-list`
• `subscription-list`
• `superChatEvent-list`
• `thirdPartyLink-list`
• `video-getRating`
• `video-list`
• `videoAbuseReportReason-list`
• `videoCategory-list`

Write (create or update content)

• `abuseReport-insert`
• `caption-insert`
• `caption-update`
• `channel-update`
• `channelBanner-insert`
• `comment-insert`
• `comment-markAsSpam`
• `comment-setModerationStatus`
• `comment-update`
• `commentThread-insert`
• `liveBroadcast-bind`
• `liveBroadcast-insert`
• `liveBroadcast-insertCuepoint`
• `liveBroadcast-transition`
• `liveBroadcast-update`
• `liveChatBan-insert`
• `liveChatMessage-insert`
• `liveChatMessage-transition`
• `liveChatModerator-insert`
• `liveStream-insert`
• `liveStream-update`
• `playlist-insert`
• `playlist-update`
• `playlistImage-insert`
• `playlistImage-update`
• `playlistItem-insert`
• `playlistItem-update`
• `subscription-insert`
• `thirdPartyLink-insert`
• `thirdPartyLink-update`
• `thumbnail-set`
• `video-insert`
• `video-rate`
• `video-reportAbuse`
• `video-update`
• `watermark-set`

Destructive (irreversible deletions — confirm with user first)

• `caption-delete`
• `channelSection-delete`
• `comment-delete`
• `liveBroadcast-delete`
• `liveChatBan-delete`
• `liveChatMessage-delete`
• `liveChatModerator-delete`
• `liveStream-delete`
• `playlist-delete`
• `playlistImage-delete`
• `playlistItem-delete`
• `subscription-delete`
• `thirdPartyLink-delete`
• `video-delete`
• `watermark-unset`

Common Workflows

See [references/workflows.md](references/workflows.md) for step-by-step walkthroughs.

YouTube Growth Tips

See [references/seo-guide.md](references/seo-guide.md) for the full guide. When creating or updating content, apply these principles:

• **Titles**: Curiosity gaps + power words. Front-load keywords. Under 60 characters.
• **Descriptions**: First 2 lines appear in search. Include keywords, timestamps, CTAs, 3-5 hashtags.
• **Tags**: Mix broad and long-tail keywords. First 2-3 tags carry the most weight.
• **Thumbnails**: High contrast, 3-4 word text, expressive faces, consistent branding.
• **Publishing**: Post when audience is active. Consistent schedule matters.
• **Engagement**: Pin a comment with a question. Reply within the first hour.