PodLearn MCP Server

Fetch transcript text for a completed episode. PAGINATED — returns up to 120,000 characters per call (Claude.ai/Desktop caps a tool result at ~150k chars). Most transcripts fit in one call; only very long episodes page. If the response has `has_more: true`, call again with `offset: <next_offset>`. For focused look-up (a topic, quote, timestamp) prefer search_transcription.

Fetch timestamped transcript segments. Use when the user wants timestamps — "jump to where they discuss X", chapter boundaries, durations of specific parts.

Keyword search WITHIN a single episode's transcript. Returns matching chunks with surrounding context. Use instead of get_transcription when the user asked about a specific topic — server does this faster + cheaper on context.

Fetch full metadata for one episode including transcription_status and lesson_generation_status. Tells you whether get_transcription is ready or you need to transcribe first: start_transcription(episode_id) for an in-library episode (inherits its existing show/artwork/feed linkage automatically) or transcribe_url(audio_url, title, feed_id, podcast_name) for a URL not yet in the library.

Get the caller's episode-access usage stats — how many episodes they've transcribed/read this billing period.

List episodes already in the local DB for a specific podcast. Requires podcast_id (use search_podcasts first if you only have a name). For cross-podcast search use search_episodes; for canonical PodcastIndex listings use list_feed_episodes.

Cross-podcast episode search by title/description AND parent podcast name/author. Returns local episodes only — for podcasts discoverable on PodcastIndex that aren't yet ingested, use list_feed_episodes instead. `status: "transcribed"` filters to ready-to-read; `status: "untranscribed"` to available-to-transcribe.

Generate a structured AI lesson (summary, key takeaways, sections) from a completed transcription. Requires the episode to have transcription_status "completed". Consumes 1 credit, or one unit of subscription quota, on first generation for an episode; subsequent calls return the cached lesson at no cost.

Turn an already-generated lesson into a LinkedIn-ready share post. Pass lesson_id directly OR episode_id (uses the most recent lesson generated by the caller for that episode). Lesson must exist — chain after generate_lesson if needed.

List podcasts already in the PodLearn library, optionally filtered by category. Returns most-recently-added first. For discovery beyond the library use search_podcasts.

Search PodLearn library AND PodcastIndex.org (4M+ podcasts) by keyword. Also resolves Spotify/Apple Podcasts URLs. Returns rows tagged with `source: local|podcastindex|spotify`. First move when the user names a podcast/host but you don't have its id.

List the caller's saved/bookmarked episodes and lessons.

Permanently remove a saved/bookmarked episode or lesson from the caller's collection. The saved_item_id comes from get_saved_items.

Bulk/season transcription — kick off transcription for up to `max` (cap 25) not-yet-transcribed episodes of a podcast feed in ONE call. Pass the `feed_id` from search_podcasts / list_feed_episodes. Already-transcribed episodes are skipped free. COSTS 1 credit per newly enqueued episode (or subscription quota) — CONFIRM the cost with the user first. Enqueue-and-poll: returns each enqueued episode_id; poll get_episode_details until transcription_status is "completed".

Ingest and transcribe an EXTERNAL / arbitrary audio URL — a URL the user pasted, or audio not reachable through the index. Creates a STANDALONE episode row. If the episode is already in the library (it has an episode_id), prefer start_transcription(episode_id) instead — it inherits the episode's existing show, artwork, and feed linkage automatically. Consumes 1 transcription credit, or one unit of subscription quota; the credit is refunded automatically if transcription fails. Pass feed_id / podcast_name when you already know the parent show (e.g. from search_podcasts or list_feed_episodes) so the episode lands under its real show instead of appearing as unidentified "External audio". Returns the new episode_id. Transcription is asynchronous on the fallback path — poll get_episode_details until transcription_status is "completed".

Open an interactive episode picker (card grid with thumbnails) for the user to pick an episode to read. On hosts that render MCP Apps the grid is clickable; everywhere else a markdown table is returned. Optional query filters by title/host.

Fetch the canonical episode list for a podcast directly from PodcastIndex (the upstream RSS index). NO COST — pure discovery. Each episode is enriched with `in_library`, `episode_id` (if already ingested), and `transcription_status`. For episodes you want to ingest: call transcribe_url(audio_url, title, feed_id, podcast_name) — passing feed_id/podcast_name lands the episode under its real show. For episodes already in_library, use start_transcription(episode_id) instead.

Fetch the full body of one AI-generated lesson (title, summary, key takeaways, structured sections). Use to retrieve prior synthesis — for creating a NEW one call generate_lesson.

List the calling user's saved AI-generated lessons.

Fetch full metadata for one podcast in the PodLearn library, including its episode count. The podcast must already be in the local DB (source=local in search_podcasts results).

Bookmark an episode or lesson for the caller.

Kick off transcription on an episode ALREADY in the library. Use only when the episode row exists and transcription_status is not "completed". Inherits the episode's existing show, artwork, and feed linkage automatically — no need to pass podcast context. For audio not yet in the library, use transcribe_url. COSTS 1 CREDIT (or subscription quota).

Get the caller's subscription plan + active/expired status + period end.

Get the caller's remaining transcription credits.

Discover YouTube videos by topic/keyword across all of YouTube. Use when the user wants to learn from a talk/interview/lecture and has no URL — especially when search_podcasts / search_episodes find nothing (much long-form content is YouTube-first). NO COST: pure discovery. Returns rows with a ready-to-transcribe `url`; to ingest one, confirm cost and call transcribe_url(url, title).