Last verified September 14, 2026
Connect YouTube transcripts to Codex
Add one hosted Streamable HTTP server, keep the key in an environment variable, and use the same configuration from the Codex desktop app, CLI, or IDE extension.
codex mcp add jumpwatch --url https://api.jumpwatch.cc/mcp \
--bearer-token-env-var JUMPWATCH_API_KEYBefore you connect
A current local Codex client: desktop app, CLI, or IDE extension
One JumpWatch MCP key available as JUMPWATCH_API_KEY
A public YouTube video with captions
Connect, verify, then spend.
Start with the free usage check. A transcript costs one credit only after a successful response.
- 01
Create and copy a JumpWatch key
Sign in, create one MCP key, and save it immediately. JumpWatch only shows the full value once.
- 02
Expose the key to Codex
Store the secret as JUMPWATCH_API_KEY in the environment that launches Codex. Use your shell or operating-system secret workflow; do not paste the key into config.toml, source control, or the add command.
- 03
Add the hosted server
Run the command below once. Codex writes a shared server entry that references the environment variable instead of storing its value.
Add JumpWatchcodex mcp add jumpwatch --url https://api.jumpwatch.cc/mcp \ --bearer-token-env-var JUMPWATCH_API_KEY - 04
Restart, then make a safe first call
Restart the desktop app or IDE extension after saving the server. Begin with the free usage check before the one-credit transcript request.
Prompt CodexUse youtube_usage to check my JumpWatch credits, then fetch the transcript for https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Verify the connection
These checks separate a saved configuration from a working authenticated server.
Inspect the saved server
The CLI should list an enabled Streamable HTTP server named jumpwatch and the JUMPWATCH_API_KEY bearer-token source.
codex mcp listConfirm the live connection
In the Codex composer or CLI TUI, open the MCP panel and check that jumpwatch is connected. Keep the setup page open to see its first-call detector change to Connection verified.
/mcpWhat becomes available
Six deliberate tools cover saved research, channel discovery, exact text, compressed understanding, structured research, and spend control.
- youtube_library_search
- Free in beta
- Literal search across your own saved video metadata, summaries, notes, tags, and collections.
- youtube_channel_videos
- 1 credit with results
- Newest official uploads for a channel handle, URL, or ID; empty results are free.
- youtube_transcript
- 1 credit
- Timed text, markdown, or caption segments with pagination.
- youtube_summarize
- From 5 credits
- Brief, detailed, bullet, or chapter-style summaries.
- youtube_insights
- 5 credits
- Takeaways, topic sections, and named entities from the first 48,000 characters.
- youtube_usage
- Free
- Current balance, reset date, rate limits, and tool prices.
Fix the common failures
Check the client connection and authentication before changing a prompt or retrying a video.
The server reports 401 Unauthorized
Make sure JUMPWATCH_API_KEY contains a current JumpWatch key in the environment that launched this Codex client, then restart it. The add command stores only the variable name.
The CLI works but the desktop app or IDE does not
The clients share config.toml, not process environment. Launch the affected client where JUMPWATCH_API_KEY is available, then use its Restart action.
jumpwatch is already configured
Run codex mcp remove jumpwatch, then add it again. Confirm the replacement with codex mcp list.
The video has no transcript
JumpWatch needs a public creator caption track or YouTube auto-captions. Private, restricted, or captionless videos cannot be read.
Supported surface
Make the first call visible.
The authenticated setup page creates your key and confirms when JumpWatch receives a successful client call.