Connect TranscriptAPI to OpenAI Agent Builder

Learn how to integrate TranscriptAPI’s YouTube Transcript MCP with OpenAI Agent Builder to fetch YouTube video transcripts directly in your AI agent workflows. This guide provides step-by-step instructions with screenshots.

What is OpenAI Agent Builder?

OpenAI Agent Builder is a visual, no-code platform for creating and deploying AI agents with complex workflows. It features a drag-and-drop interface that lets you connect various tools and services without writing code. The platform’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) support makes it ideal for integrating external services like TranscriptAPI.

Better Beta Experience

Unlike ChatGPT’s beta MCP implementation which can have stability issues, OpenAI Agent Builder’s beta provides a more reliable experience for MCP tools. The platform handles tool calls consistently and provides clear error messages when issues occur.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• An OpenAI account with access to Agent Builder (available with API access)
• A TranscriptAPI account (sign up free)
• An active TranscriptAPI API key from your dashboard
• A YouTube video URL to test with

Part 1: Create Your Agent Workflow

Let’s start by creating a new workflow in OpenAI Agent Builder.

1. Access OpenAI Agent Builder

   Navigate to the OpenAI Agent Builder platform and sign in with your OpenAI credentials.

   

2. Configure the Agent Node

   Click on the default Agent node that appears in your workflow canvas. This is where you’ll add the TranscriptAPI MCP integration.

   

Part 2: Add TranscriptAPI MCP Server

Now we’ll add the TranscriptAPI MCP server to your agent.

1. Open Tools Configuration

   In the agent configuration panel, locate the “Tools” section and click the ”+” icon to add a new tool.

   

2. Select MCP Server

   From the tool options, choose “MCP server” to add an MCP integration.

   

3. Configure Server Details

   Click on the “Server” field to begin configuring the MCP connection.

   

Part 3: Configure TranscriptAPI Connection

Let’s set up the connection details for TranscriptAPI. You’ll need information from your TranscriptAPI dashboard.

1. Get Configuration Details

   Open the TranscriptAPI MCP Integration page in a new tab. You’ll copy configuration details from here.

   

2. Enter Server URL

   Paste the MCP server URL: https://transcriptapi.com/mcp

   

3. Copy and Enter MCP Name

   Copy the MCP name from TranscriptAPI (typically “TranscriptAPI”).

   

   Enter it in the name field.

   

4. Copy and Enter Description

   Copy the MCP description from your dashboard.

   

   Paste it into the description field.

   

Part 4: Set Up API Key Authentication

OpenAI Agent Builder requires API key authentication for MCP servers. OAuth is not currently supported.

1. View Authentication Options

   You’ll see both OAuth and API Key options. OAuth is recommended for supported platforms, but Agent Builder requires API Key authentication.

   

2. Select API Key Authentication

   Click on “API Key / Access Token” to use the required authentication method.

   

3. Copy Your API Key

   From the TranscriptAPI dashboard, click the copy button to get your API key.

   

4. Enter API Key

   Paste your API key into the authentication field in Agent Builder.

   

5. Connect to TranscriptAPI

   Click the “Connect” button to establish the connection.

   

6. Authentication Success

   Agent Builder will authenticate with TranscriptAPI and load the available MCP tools.

   

7. Add the Tool

   Click “Add” to include the TranscriptAPI MCP in your agent’s toolset.

   

Part 5: Configure Agent Instructions

Now configure your agent to use the TranscriptAPI MCP effectively.

1. Add Agent Instructions

   In the agent’s instruction field, add clear guidance about when to use the YouTube Transcript MCP. For example:

   “When you see a YouTube video link, use the TranscriptAPI MCP tool (get_youtube_transcript) to fetch the video transcript. Then process the transcript according to the user’s request (summarize, analyze, translate, etc.).”

   

2. Name Your Agent

   Give your agent a descriptive name like “TranscriptAPI Agent” or “YouTube Transcript Assistant”.

   

Part 6: Test Your Integration

Let’s test the YouTube Transcript MCP integration to ensure everything works correctly.

1. Enter Preview Mode

   Click the “Preview” button to test your agent workflow.

   

2. Preview Interface

   The workflow preview interface will open, allowing you to interact with your agent.

   

3. Test with a YouTube URL

   Paste a test request like:

   “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpKsogGdem4&pp=ygUPYW5kcmV3IGh1YmVybWFu Summarize this video for me.”

   

4. Run the Test

   Click the “Run” button to execute your request.

   

5. Approve MCP Usage

   OpenAI Agent Builder will request permission to use the MCP tool. This ensures transparency about external API usage.

   

6. Grant Permission

   Click “Approve” to allow the agent to fetch the YouTube transcript.

   

7. Success!

   The agent will fetch the transcript using TranscriptAPI and process it according to your instructions.

   

Advanced Configuration

Setting Response Formats

You can configure how the MCP returns transcript data by using the tool parameters:

• format: Choose between "text" (markdown) or "json" (structured data)
• include_timestamp: Set to true or false for timestamp inclusion
• send_metadata: Include video title, author, and thumbnail information

Troubleshooting

Authentication Issues

Problem: “Invalid API key” error

Solution:

• Verify your API key starts with sk_
• Check for extra spaces when copying
• Ensure the key is active in your TranscriptAPI dashboard

Credit Errors

Problem: “Payment required - no credits remaining”

Solution: Purchase credits or upgrade your plan

Transcript Not Available

Problem: “404 - Transcript not found”

Possible Causes:

• Video has no captions/subtitles
• Video is private or age-restricted
• Video was recently uploaded (captions pending)
• Regional restrictions apply

Rate Limiting

Problem: “429 - Too many requests”

Solution:

• Wait 60 seconds before retrying
• Implement delays between batch requests
• Check your rate limit status in the dashboard

Next Steps

Now that you’ve successfully integrated TranscriptAPI with OpenAI Agent Builder:

1. Explore Advanced Features: Try different parameter combinations for optimal results
2. Build Complex Workflows: Combine transcript fetching with other AI capabilities
3. Monitor Usage: Track your credit consumption and API performance
4. Join the Community: Share your workflows and learn from others

Ready to build more sophisticated agents? Check out our API documentation for advanced integration options.

Related

MCP Overview Learn about Model Context Protocol and TranscriptAPI integration options.

API Reference Complete REST API documentation for direct integration.

ChatGPT Guide Compare with ChatGPT's MCP implementation (OAuth-based).