get_transcripts

Accepts URL/endpoint input (url)

Part of the YouTube Transcript Server MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.

sinco-lab/mcp-youtube-transcript Read

// WHEN AI AGENTS USE THIS TOOL

AI agents call get_transcripts to retrieve information from YouTube Transcript Server without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.

// WHY ENFORCE A POLICY ON GET_TRANSCRIPTS

Even though get_transcripts only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.

// RECOMMENDED POLICY

Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.

sinco-lab-mcp-youtube-transcript.yaml

tools:
  get_transcripts:
    rules:
      - action: allow

See the full YouTube Transcript Server policy for all 1 tools.

// DETAILS

Tool Name get_transcripts

Category Read

MCP Server YouTube Transcript Server MCP Server

Risk Level Low

// WHAT CAN GO WRONG

Agents calling read-class tools like get_transcripts have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

// OTHER READ TOOLS ACROSS MCP SERVERS

Other tools in the Read risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, allow) apply to each.

Open Library MCP Server get_author_info Open Library MCP Server get_author_photo Open Library MCP Server get_authors_by_name Open Library MCP Server get_book_by_id Open Library MCP Server get_book_by_title Open Library MCP Server get_book_cover

// RELATED READING

// FAQ

What does the get_transcripts tool do? +

Extract and process transcripts from a YouTube video. **Parameters:** - `url` (string, required): YouTube video URL or ID. - `lang` (string, optional, default 'en'): Language code for transcripts (e.g. 'en', 'uk', 'ja', 'ru', 'zh'). - `enableParagraphs` (boolean, optional, default false): Enable automatic paragraph breaks. **IMPORTANT:** If the user does *not* specify a language *code*, **DO NOT** include the `lang` parameter in the tool call. Do not guess the language or use parts of the user query as the language code.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the YouTube Transcript Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_transcripts? +

Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for get_transcripts. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the YouTube Transcript Server MCP server.

What risk level is get_transcripts? +

get_transcripts is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit get_transcripts? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_transcripts rule in your Intercept 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 get_transcripts completely? +

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for get_transcripts. 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 get_transcripts? +

get_transcripts is provided by the YouTube Transcript Server MCP server (sinco-lab/mcp-youtube-transcript). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

get_transcripts

Enforce policies on YouTube Transcript Server