# Build your own YouTube MCP server: n8n workflow template

> Started by an event in a connected app. It calls services over plain HTTP rather than through connectors.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/build-your-own-youtube-mcp-server (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Setup and learning](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Setup+and+learning#library)

# Build your own YouTube MCP server

Started by an event in a connected app. It calls services over plain HTTP rather than through connectors. 15 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fbuild-your-own-youtube-mcp-server)

**15 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**1** Branch: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**0** Services by connector: it calls them over plain HTTP

## The flow

Starts it 2 Model 3 Logic 6 Service 4

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **When Executed by Another Workflow** Execute Workflow trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Youtube Transcripts** Tool Workflow *Model*
- 3 **Youtube Search** Tool Workflow *Model*
- 4 **Usage Report** Tool Workflow *Model*
- 5 **Operation** Switch *Logic*
- 6 **Apify Youtube MCP Server** Mcp trigger *Starts it*
- 7 **Apify Youtube Search** Http Request *Service*
- 8 **Apify Youtube Transcripts** Http Request *Service*
- 9 **Get Usage Metrics** Http Request *Service*
- 10 **Simplify Search Results** Set *Logic*
- 11 **Simplify Transcript Results** Set *Logic*
- 12 **Get Usage Limits** Http Request *Service*
- 13 **Aggregate Search Results** Aggregate *Logic*
- 14 **Aggregate Transcript Results** Aggregate *Logic*
- 15 **Simplify Usage Metrics** Set *Logic*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** An event in a connected app
- **Steps:** 15, with 1 branch
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Nothing by connector; it calls services over plain HTTP
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on an event in a connected app.

Does it use AI?

No. Every step is fixed logic or a call to a service, so it does the same thing every time.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 15 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 15 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fbuild-your-own-youtube-mcp-server)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Workflows like it

Also setup and learning, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Build your own GitHub MCP server** 15 steps · GitHub](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/build-your-own-github-mcp-server)
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- [**Microsoft OneDrive tool MCP server all 14 operations** 15 steps](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/microsoft-onedrive-tool-mcp-server-all-14-operations)
- [**AI agents can create, enrich leads** 16 steps](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-agents-can-create-enrich-leads)