Build your own Youtube MCP server

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Important notice

This workflow is provided as-is. Please review and test before using in production.

1. Workflow Overview

This n8n demonstrates how to build a simple Youtube MCP server to look up videos on Youtube and download their transcripts for research purposes. Youtube videos are a great source of new and update...

Best for

Document Extraction automation workflows
AI RAG automation workflows
advanced n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.executeworkflowtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.switch, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.toolworkflow, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.aggregate, @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.mcptrigger

Source and attribution

This workflow is cataloged by N8N Workflows and links back to its original n8n.io source page by Jimleuk.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title: Build your own Youtube MCP server
Workflow name: Build your own Youtube MCP server

This n8n demonstrates how to build a simple Youtube MCP server to look up videos on Youtube and download their transcripts for research purposes.

Youtube videos are a great source of new and updated information on a variety of cutting edge developments but they''re are not always simple to understand and lengthy videos may take too much time. Using this MCP server, you extract and feed their transcripts for your AI agents which then allows it to breakdown the content into manageble learnings and insights.

How it works

A MCP server trigger is used and connected to 3 custom workflow tools: Youtube Search, Youtube Transcripts and Usage Reports.
Both Youtube tools use an external scraping service called APIFY.com. This is my preference as it's a much simpler interface and there are no rate limits.
The Youtube Search fetches 10 results based on the user's query.
The Youtube Transcripts downloads the subtitles from one or more given URL.
The usage reports pulls in your monthly APIFY.com monthly spending and limits as a way to check your account.

How to use

This Apify Youtube MCP server allows any compatible MCP client to research YouTube videos for any desired topic. An Apify account is required however to connect and use the service.
Connect your MCP client by following the n8n guidelines here - https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-langchain.mcptrigger/#integrating-with-claude-desktop
Alternatively, connect any n8n AI agent with the MCP client tool.
Try the following queries in your MCP client:
- "what is MCP?"
- "How can I use MCP in n8n?"
- "How can I use Apify's official MCP server?"

Requirements

APIFY.com for Youtube Scraping. This is a paid service but there is a $5 free tier which is ample for this template.
MCP Client or Agent for usage such as Claude Desktop - https://claude.ai/download

Customising this workflow

Add as many APIFY.com actors as required for your use-case or users. Consider using Apify's official MCP server for 4000+ available tools.
Remember to set the MCP server to require credentials before going to production and sharing this MCP server with others!

1.2 Logical Blocks

This catalog entry is organized from the workflow JSON. The node-level section below shows the executable blocks available for review before importing the template.

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - When Executed by Another Workflow

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.executeWorkflowTrigger - executeWorkflowTrigger
Config choices: Version 1.1

Block 2 - Operation

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.switch - switch
Config choices: Version 3.2

Block 3 - Sticky Note

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

Block 4 - Sticky Note1

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

Block 5 - Sticky Note3

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

Block 6 - Youtube Transcripts

Type / Role: @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.toolWorkflow - toolWorkflow
Config choices: Version 2.1

Block 7 - Youtube Search

Type / Role: @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.toolWorkflow - toolWorkflow
Config choices: Version 2.1

Block 8 - Apify Youtube Search

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices: Version 4.2

Block 9 - Simplify Search Results

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices: Version 3.4

Block 10 - Apify Youtube Transcripts

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices: Version 4.2

Block 11 - Simplify Transcript Results

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices: Version 3.4

Block 12 - Aggregate Search Results

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.aggregate - aggregate
Config choices: Version 1

Block 13 - Aggregate Transcript Results

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.aggregate - aggregate
Config choices: Version 1

Block 14 - Simplify Usage Metrics

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices: Version 3.4

Block 15 - Get Usage Limits

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices: Version 4.2

Block 16 - Usage Report

Type / Role: @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.toolWorkflow - toolWorkflow
Config choices: Version 2.1

Block 17 - Get Usage Metrics

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices: Version 4.2

Block 18 - Apify Youtube MCP Server

Type / Role: @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.mcpTrigger - mcpTrigger
Config choices: Version 1

Block 19 - Sticky Note2

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

Block 20 - Sticky Note4

Type / Role: n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices: Version 1

3. Summary Table

Workflow	Build your own Youtube MCP server
Complexity	advanced
Nodes	20
Categories	Document Extraction, AI RAG
Author	Jimleuk
Published	21 Apr 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/3637/3637.json as the source template for this automation.
2. Import the template into n8n

Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.
3. Configure credentials and variables

Replace placeholder credentials, API keys, webhook URLs, account IDs, and environment-specific values with your own settings.
4. Test with sample data

Run the workflow manually or in a staging workspace, inspect node output, and confirm downstream systems receive the expected data.
5. Activate and monitor

Enable the workflow only after testing, then monitor executions, errors, and rate limits during the first production runs.

5. General Notes & Resources

Review imported nodes carefully before activation. This catalog entry is intended to help you inspect the workflow structure, understand required services, and find related templates faster.

Node names, credentials, schedules, webhook paths, and external service limits may need adjustment for your workspace.

Download workflow JSON Original n8n.io source Document Extraction workflows AI RAG workflows

Frequently asked questions

What does Build your own Youtube MCP server do?

What do I need before importing this workflow?

Review the workflow JSON, configure any required credentials in n8n, and test the automation in a safe workspace before using it in production.

Can I customize this workflow?

Yes. Use the block-by-block analysis and the downloadable JSON to inspect each node, then adjust credentials, prompts, schedules, filters, or destinations for your Document Extraction, AI RAG use case.

Jimleuk

100 workflows

Nodes

n8n-nodes-base.executeworkflowtrigger n8n-nodes-base.switch n8n-nodes-base.stickynote @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.toolworkflow n8n-nodes-base.httprequest n8n-nodes-base.set n8n-nodes-base.aggregate @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.mcptrigger

Complexity

advanced

Published 21 Apr 2025

Likes 0

View on n8n.io Download Workflow

Install path: /data/workflows/3637/3637.json

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Build your own Youtube MCP server

Workflow preview

Important notice

1. Workflow Overview

Best for

Tools used

Source and attribution

1.1 Workflow description

This n8n demonstrates how to build a simple Youtube MCP server to look up videos on Youtube and download their transcripts for research purposes.

How it works

How to use

Requirements

Customising this workflow

1.2 Logical Blocks

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - When Executed by Another Workflow

Block 2 - Operation

Block 3 - Sticky Note

Block 4 - Sticky Note1

Block 5 - Sticky Note3

Block 6 - Youtube Transcripts

Block 7 - Youtube Search

Block 8 - Apify Youtube Search

Block 9 - Simplify Search Results

Block 10 - Apify Youtube Transcripts

Block 11 - Simplify Transcript Results

Block 12 - Aggregate Search Results

Block 13 - Aggregate Transcript Results

Block 14 - Simplify Usage Metrics

Block 15 - Get Usage Limits

Block 16 - Usage Report

Block 17 - Get Usage Metrics

Block 18 - Apify Youtube MCP Server

Block 19 - Sticky Note2

Block 20 - Sticky Note4

3. Summary Table

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

1. Download the workflow JSON

2. Import the template into n8n

3. Configure credentials and variables

4. Test with sample data

5. Activate and monitor

5. General Notes & Resources

Frequently asked questions