Use YouTube transcripts in Gemini CLI

Option 1 — the extension (recommended)

gemini extensions install https://github.com/pratie/bulktranscripts-mcp

Run it in your shell, not inside a Gemini session. The extension registers the BulkTranscripts server; the first time a tool runs, a sign-in page opens. Continue with Google and the account includes 30 free credits.

Option 2 — add the server yourself

gemini mcp add --transport http bulktranscripts https://bulktranscripts.co/mcp

Or add it to settings.json under mcpServers. To use a key instead of the sign-in, add a header:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bulktranscripts": {
      "httpUrl": "https://bulktranscripts.co/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" }
    }
  }
}

Check it worked

Run gemini mcp list, or type /mcp in a session. If the sign-in expired, /mcp auth bulktranscripts opens it again.

Notes

Connecting the MCP server takes one sign-in — Google or a license key — and includes 30 free credits, no card needed. Buying a one-time credit pack gets you a license key that doubles as the API key; credits never expire and repeat reads from your own library are free.