Fetches the captions of a YouTube item and stores them as an HTML attachment with clickable timestamps that you can open and annotate in Zotero's reader.
YouTube Transcripts has Atlas grade B (use with care) because a zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit), and 1 more finding. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.
Downloads a .xpi file (0.1 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
In useAn estimate of how many copies of Zotero have it: Zotero downloads each new version once for every copy that has the plugin, so we count the downloads of its most-downloaded recent release. Rounded. Plugins that update from outside GitHub count low.
100
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
102
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
2
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
6
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
A+ABBC
because a zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit), and 1 more finding
Next rung: A, once every finding in the code comes out low.
Applies to v0.1.6, released 14 Oct 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
What we found in the codeSets the gradeThe worst finding in these three areas sets the grade.
Code transparencyReadable code, uploaded by the project's automated GitHub buildThe release file was uploaded by the project's automated GitHub build. We haven't yet rebuilt it from the source to compare.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Updates
Updates come from this project's GitHub repositoryThe update address offers this version
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify2 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Zotero (1)
www.zotero.orgnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.
Documentation (1)
www.youtube.com
Where we found it
www.youtube.comcontent/scripts/youtubetranscripts.js · line 3951
var INNERTUBE_PLAYER_URL = `https://www.youtube.com/youtubei/v1/player?key=${INNERTUBE_API_KEY}`;
Powerful capabilitiesA zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you, and 2 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (2)
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a prompt (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)
Low concern (1)
Works with files on your computer
Where we found it
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/youtubetranscripts.js · line 129
zotero://plugin. zotero-plugin-toolkit removed this link in version 6.0.0; this plugin is built with an older version
Fetches the captions of a YouTube item and stores them as an HTML attachment with clickable timestamps that you can open and annotate in Zotero's reader. You can also play the video with a follow-along transcript.
Lets you highlight and note spoken content from videos the way you do for web snapshots. You can choose the caption language, and YouTube sometimes blocks requests from VPNs.
What you'll need
Detected automatically
We haven't detected any setup requirements. That isn't the same as none: check the developer's README.
Where your data goes
We found: only contacts services we could identify. 2 addresses in 2 groups.
Zotero (1)
www.zotero.orgnamed in its code
Documentation (1)
www.youtube.com
Evidence · file and line
www.youtube.comcontent/scripts/youtubetranscripts.js · line 3951
var INNERTUBE_PLAYER_URL = `https://www.youtube.com/youtubei/v1/player?key=${INNERTUBE_API_KEY}`;
Forks and copies
No forks listed.
The developer's response
The developer hasn't responded. Developers can reply here, and their reply sits next to our findings.I'm the developer
Ratings and reviews
What people who use it say. This is separate from the grade, which is what the code does, and never changes it.
No ratings yet.
Write a review
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