MCP Server Integration

The YT AI Thumbnail API includes an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that enables AI agents like Claude to generate thumbnails and manage your resources programmatically.

What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol that allows AI assistants to interact with external tools and services. With our MCP server, AI agents can:

• Generate thumbnails based on conversations
• Analyze YouTube videos
• Manage your styles, faces, and brands
• Create and organize collections

Setting Up the MCP Server

For OAuth-Capable MCP Clients

Add the remote MCP server to your client:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "yt-ai-thumbnail": {
      "url": "https://www.thumbnailcreator.com/api/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Your client will open a browser so you can sign in and authorize access to your ThumbnailCreator account.

Connection Details

MCP URL: https://www.thumbnailcreator.com/api/mcp
Transport: Streamable HTTP
Authentication: OAuth 2.0 with PKCE

The server publishes OAuth discovery metadata, so compatible clients can register and start the authorization flow automatically.

Available Tools

Once connected, the AI agent has access to these tools:

generate_thumbnail

Generate a YouTube thumbnail from a prompt.

Parameters:

• prompt (required) - Description of the thumbnail
• youtube_url (optional) - YouTube video URL to analyze
• style_id (optional) - Style to apply
• face_ids (optional) - Faces to include
• brand_id (optional) - Brand for colors

analyze_video

Analyze a YouTube video and get thumbnail concepts.

Parameters:

• youtube_url (required) - YouTube video URL

list_thumbnails

Get a list of your generated thumbnails.

list_faces

Get a list of your uploaded faces.

create_face

Create a new face from an image URL.

Parameters:

• name (required) - Name for the face
• image_url (required) - URL of the face image

list_styles

Get a list of your saved styles.

create_style

Create a new style from an image or YouTube URL.

Parameters:

• name (required) - Name for the style
• image_url or youtube_url (one required) - Source for the style

list_brands

Get a list of your brands.

generate_seo_titles

Generate SEO-optimized video titles.

Parameters:

• youtube_url (required) - YouTube video URL

generate_seo_description

Generate SEO-optimized video description.

Parameters:

• youtube_url (required) - YouTube video URL

get_credits

Get your current credit balance.

Example Conversations

Generating a Thumbnail

User: Create a thumbnail for my video about productivity tips

Claude (using MCP): I'll generate a thumbnail for your productivity video.

[Uses generate_thumbnail tool]

Here's your thumbnail! It features a clean desk setup with a clock and checklist, using bright colors to grab attention.

Analyzing a Video

User: What thumbnail concepts would work for https://youtube.com/watch?v=...?

Claude (using MCP): Let me analyze that video.

[Uses analyze_video tool]

Based on the video content, here are 5 thumbnail concepts that would work well:

1. Reaction Shot - Surprised expression with...
2. Before/After Split - Showing the transformation... ...

Authentication

The MCP server uses browser-based OAuth account linking. API keys created under Settings → Developers → API Keys authenticate the REST API only and should not be placed in an MCP client configuration.

Rate Limits

MCP requests count toward your API rate limits. Each tool call is treated as one API request.

Credits

Tool calls that generate images (like generate_thumbnail) consume credits just like the REST API.