youtube-transcriber

YouTube Transcriber

Extract transcripts from YouTube videos and playlists using browser-based caption extraction. Works with any video that has auto-generated or manual captions — no API key required.

Environment note: This skill works in both Claude Code and Cowork. It requires the Claude in Chrome extension in both environments. The Chrome MCP tools (navigate, javascript_tool, get_page_text, etc.) work identically in both.

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Prerequisites

This skill requires Claude in Chrome (browser automation). If the Chrome MCP tools (navigate, javascript_tool, get_page_text, etc.) are not available, inform the user:

• Cowork: "Install the Claude in Chrome extension from your browser"
• Claude Code: "Add the Chrome MCP extension and ensure it's running"

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Single Video Transcription

Step 1: Navigate to the video

navigate to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v={VIDEO_ID}

Wait for the page to load. If given a short URL (youtu.be/ID) or a URL with extra params, extract the video ID and use the canonical format above.

Step 2: Expand the description to reveal the transcript button

Use javascript_tool to click "...more" on the description:

const expandBtn = document.querySelector('#description-inline-expander #expand')
              || document.querySelector('tp-yt-paper-button#expand');
if (expandBtn) expandBtn.click();

Wait 1-2 seconds for the description to expand.

Step 3: Open the transcript panel

Use javascript_tool to find and click the "Show transcript" button:

const buttons = document.querySelectorAll('button.yt-spec-button-shape-next');
let clicked = false;
buttons.forEach(b => {
  if (b.innerText.includes('Show transcript') || b.innerText.includes('הצגת תמליל') || b.innerText.includes('להצגת התמליל')) {
    b.click();
    clicked = true;
  }
});
clicked ? 'Transcript panel opened' : 'Show transcript button not found';

Wait 2 seconds for the transcript panel to load.