subtitles

---
name: subtitles
description: Get subtitles from YouTube videos for translation, language learning, or reading along. Use when the user asks for subtitles, subs, foreign language text, or wants to read video content. Supports multiple languages and timestamped output for sync'd reading.
homepage: https://transcriptapi.com
metadata:
  {
    "moltbot":
      {
        "emoji": "🗨️",
        "requires": { "env": ["TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"] },
        "primaryEnv": "TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY",
      },
  }
---

# Subtitles

Fetch YouTube video subtitles via [TranscriptAPI.com](https://transcriptapi.com).

## Setup

If `$TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY` is not set, help the user create an account (100 free credits, no card):

**Step 1 — Register:** Ask user for their email, generate a secure password.

```bash
node ./scripts/tapi-auth.js register --email USER_EMAIL --password SECURE_PASS --json
```

→ OTP sent to email. Ask user: _"Check your email for a 6-digit verification code."_
⚠️ **SAVE THE PASSWORD** — you need it again in Step 2!

**Step 2 — Verify:** Once user provides the OTP (use SAME password from Step 1):

```bash
node ./scripts/tapi-auth.js verify --email USER_EMAIL --password SECURE_PASS --otp CODE --json
```

→ Returns `api_key` (starts with `sk_`).

**Step 3 — Save:** Store the key (auto-configures agent + shell):

```bash
node ./scripts/tapi-auth.js save-key --key API_KEY --json
```

→ Ready to use. Agent runtime picks up the key automatically.

Manual option: [transcriptapi.com/signup](https://transcriptapi.com/signup) → Dashboard → API Keys.

## GET /api/v2/youtube/transcript

```bash
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/transcript\
?video_url=VIDEO_URL&format=text&include_timestamp=false&send_metadata=true" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
```

| Param               | Values                  | Use case                                       |
| ------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| `video_url`         | YouTube URL or video ID | Required                                       |
| `format`            | `json`, `text`          | `json` for sync'd subs with timing             |
| `include_timestamp` | `true`, `false`         | `false` for clean text for reading/translation |
| `send_metadata`     | `true`, `false`         | Include title, channel, description            |

**For language learning** — clean text without timestamps:

```bash
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/transcript\
?video_url=VIDEO_ID&format=text&include_timestamp=false" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
```

**For translation** — structured segments:

```bash
curl -s "https://transcriptapi.com/api/v2/youtube/transcript\
?video_url=VIDEO_ID&format=json&include_timestamp=true" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT_API_KEY"
```

**Response** (`format=json`):

```json
{
  "video_id": "dQw4w9WgXcQ",
  "language": "en",
  "transcript": [
    { "text": "We're no strangers to love", "start": 18.0, "duration": 3.5 }
  ]
}
```

**Response** (`format=text`, `include_timestamp=false`):

```json
{
  "video_id": "dQw4w9WgXcQ",
  "language": "en",
  "transcript": "We're no strangers to love\nYou know the rules and so do I..."
}
```

## Tips

- Many videos have auto-generated subtitles in multiple languages.
- Use `format=json` to get timing for each line (great for sync'd reading).
- Use `include_timestamp=false` for clean text suitable for translation apps.

## Errors

| Code | Action                                 |
| ---- | -------------------------------------- |
| 402  | No credits — transcriptapi.com/billing |
| 404  | No subtitles available                 |
| 408  | Timeout — retry once after 2s          |

1 credit per request. Free tier: 100 credits, 300 req/min.