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yt-dlp-mcp

MCP.Pizza Chef: kevinwatt

yt-dlp-mcp is an MCP server that integrates yt-dlp to provide video and audio content downloading capabilities for large language models. It supports downloading videos, audio, and subtitles from platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, enabling LLMs to access multimedia content directly. The server emphasizes privacy by performing direct downloads without tracking and is compatible with MCP hosts like Dive Desktop.

Use This MCP server To

Download YouTube videos with resolution control for LLM processing Fetch audio tracks from online videos for transcription or analysis Retrieve subtitles in SRT format for language model reading Integrate multimedia content into LLM workflows via MCP Enable LLMs to access social media video content securely Automate video and audio content retrieval for data pipelines Support offline analysis by saving media files locally Combine video downloads with LLM-based content summarization

README

yt-dlp-mcp

An MCP server implementation that integrates with yt-dlp, providing video and audio content download capabilities (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Tiktok, etc.) for LLMs.

Features

  • Subtitles: Download subtitles in SRT format for LLMs to read
  • Video Download: Save videos to your Downloads folder with resolution control
  • Audio Download: Save audios to your Downloads folder
  • Privacy-Focused: Direct download without tracking
  • MCP Integration: Works with Dive and other MCP-compatible LLMs

Installation

Prerequisites

Install yt-dlp based on your operating system:

# Windows
winget install yt-dlp

# macOS
brew install yt-dlp

# Linux
pip install yt-dlp
  1. Click "+ Add MCP Server" in Dive Desktop
  2. Copy and paste this configuration:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "yt-dlp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@kevinwatt/yt-dlp-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}
  1. Click "Save" to install the MCP server

Tool Documentation

  • list_subtitle_languages

    • List all available subtitle languages and their formats for a video (including auto-generated captions)
    • Inputs:
      • url (string, required): URL of the video
  • download_video_subtitles

    • Download video subtitles in any available format. Supports both regular and auto-generated subtitles
    • Inputs:
      • url (string, required): URL of the video
      • language (string, optional): Language code (e.g., 'en', 'zh-Hant', 'ja'). Defaults to 'en'
  • download_video

    • Download video to user's Downloads folder
    • Inputs:
      • url (string, required): URL of the video
      • resolution (string, optional): Video resolution ('480p', '720p', '1080p', 'best'). Defaults to '720p'
  • download_audio

    • Download audio in best available quality (usually m4a/mp3 format) to user's Downloads folder
    • Inputs:
      • url (string, required): URL of the video

Usage Examples

Ask your LLM to:

"List available subtitles for this video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=..."
"Download a video from facebook: https://facebook.com/..."
"Download Chinese subtitles from this video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=..."
"Download this video in 1080p: https://youtube.com/watch?v=..."
"Download audio from this YouTube video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=..."

Manual Start

If needed, start the server manually:

npx @kevinwatt/yt-dlp-mcp

Requirements

  • Node.js 20+
  • yt-dlp in system PATH
  • MCP-compatible LLM service

Documentation

  • API Reference
  • Configuration
  • Error Handling
  • Contributing

License

MIT

Author

Dewei Yen

yt-dlp-mcp FAQ

How do I install yt-dlp-mcp on my system?
Install yt-dlp using your OS package manager (winget, brew, or pip), then add yt-dlp-mcp as an MCP server in your MCP host like Dive Desktop.
Can yt-dlp-mcp download subtitles along with videos?
Yes, it supports downloading subtitles in SRT format for LLMs to read and process.
Does yt-dlp-mcp track user data during downloads?
No, it performs direct downloads without tracking to ensure user privacy.
Which platforms does yt-dlp-mcp support for video and audio downloads?
It supports popular platforms including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and many others supported by yt-dlp.
How does yt-dlp-mcp integrate with MCP-compatible LLMs?
It exposes video and audio content as structured data through the MCP protocol, enabling LLMs to request and receive media files seamlessly.
Can I control video resolution when downloading with yt-dlp-mcp?
Yes, the server allows resolution control to download videos at desired quality levels.
Is yt-dlp-mcp compatible with multiple MCP hosts?
Yes, it works with Dive Desktop and any other MCP-compatible hosts that support server integration.
What programming environments or languages are required to run yt-dlp-mcp?
yt-dlp-mcp runs via Node.js (using npx) and requires yt-dlp installed via system package managers.