ytdlp_download_video

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why ytdlp_download_video needs a policy

This tool downloads a video file and writes it to the local filesystem. It creates a new file on disk, which is a Write operation. It does not delete or overwrite existing data, execute code, or involve financial transactions. Severity is medium because it could be used to download large files or potentially copyrighted content, but the blast radius of misuse is limited.

From the tool's definition Download video file to the user

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access ytdlp_download_video gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control ytdlp_download_video

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and YouTube MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for ytdlp_download_video:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "ytdlp_download_video": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "ytdlp_download_video_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

ytdlp_download_video stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register YouTube MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More YouTube MCP Server tools

Write ytdlp_download_audio Extract and download audio from video in best quality. This tool extracts audio tracks fr Read ytdlp_download_transcript Generate clean plain text transcript from video subtitles. This tool downloads subtitles Read ytdlp_download_video_subtitles Download video subtitles/captions in VTT format. This tool downloads subtitle files in We Read ytdlp_get_video_comments Extract comments from a video in JSON or AI-friendly Markdown format. This tool retrieves Read ytdlp_get_video_comments_summary Get a human-readable summary of video comments. This tool extracts comments and formats t Read ytdlp_get_video_metadata Extract comprehensive video metadata in JSON format without downloading content. This too Read ytdlp_get_video_metadata_summary Get human-readable summary of key video information. This tool extracts and formats the m Read ytdlp_list_subtitle_languages List all available subtitle languages and formats for a video. This tool retrieves the co

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about ytdlp_download_video

What does the ytdlp_download_video tool do? +

Download video file to the user. It is categorised as a Write tool in the YouTube MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on ytdlp_download_video? +

Register the YouTube MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ytdlp_download_video: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches YouTube MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is ytdlp_download_video? +

ytdlp_download_video is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit ytdlp_download_video? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the ytdlp_download_video rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block ytdlp_download_video completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for ytdlp_download_video. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides ytdlp_download_video? +

ytdlp_download_video is provided by the YouTube MCP Server MCP server (kevinwatt/yt-dlp-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every YouTube MCP Server tool call.

Start from YouTube MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →