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Connect Codex to YouTube

Connect Codex to YouTube in 3 steps: 1. Sign in to ApexGenius and connect YouTube. 2. Add the ApexGenius plugin. 3. Start using YouTube in Codex. Start in Plugins in the ChatGPT desktop app and authorize your connection.

Connect YouTubeSee the setup

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How to connect YouTube to Codex

  1. 1Sign in to ApexGenius and connect YouTube
  2. 2Add the ApexGenius plugin to Codex
  3. 3Start using YouTube in Codex

FirstConnect YouTube to ApexGenius

ThenConnect ApexGenius to Codex

YouTubeaccounts.google.com1 of 3

Connect YouTube. YouTube opens its own sign-in. Sign in and allow ApexGenius.

Then ask Codex:

Show the name and details of my connected YouTube channel.

Written setup, step by stepShow

Watch the connection

21-second loop · Silent, with captions

Read the steps Follow along at your own pace

1. Open YouTube

In Connections, search for YouTube and open its module.

2. Choose access

Select Read channel and videos, then Connect.

3. Allow access on Google

Choose the Google account for your channel. Review View your YouTube account, then choose Allow.

4. Test the connection

Back in ApexGenius, select Test connection. Check the channel name and saved access.

5. Enable your channel

Open Tools. In Allowed resources, turn on your intended channel.

6. Add Codex

Follow the Codex setup guide below, then ask about your channel.

Recorded with the ApexGeniusAI channel. Open the video

Before you start

  • A Google account with access to the YouTube channel you intend to connect. Check the channel in YouTube first, especially if you use a Brand Account.
  • An ApexGenius account with this module available. If setup is pending or the module is missing, contact support.

1. Connect YouTube to ApexGenius

  1. Open YouTube in Connections. Find the YouTube group and open YouTube. Each module has its own channel and access selection.
    The real Connections page showing YouTube and YouTube Analytics & Reporting as separate modules in the YouTube group.
    Find the YouTube group and open YouTube. Analytics & Reporting has its own setup.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)
    The real YouTube module with its Connect button and Read channel and videos access selection.
    Earlier setup view. Review the current read-only access, then use Connect for initial setup.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)
  2. Review read-only access. Read channel details, videos, and playlists. Uploads, edits, captions, comments, subscriptions, and livestream tools are not included. Use Connect only when setting up this module.
    The real Channel access panel with Read channel and videos selected.
    Earlier setup view, captured September 7. The current panel shows read-only access without an access selector.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)
  3. Select your Google account and YouTube channel. On Google’s own page, select the account with access to your intended channel. If Google offers a channel or Brand Account choice, select the intended channel. Review the requested permissions before continuing. Already granted permissions may make these screens look different. Return to ApexGenius when Google finishes.
    The real Google consent screen requesting View your YouTube account, with Cancel and Allow.
    Review the requested YouTube permission, then choose Allow.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)
  4. Enable the connected channel. Confirm the saved channel name. Open Tools, find Allowed resources, and choose Refresh if needed. Enable the intended channel. Enabling it allows ApexGenius to use existing access; it does not grant new YouTube permissions. If the channel is wrong, stop and connect the intended channel.
    The ApexGeniusAI YouTube channel enabled in Allowed resources, showing one of one enabled.
    Check the channel name and turn on its access.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)
  5. Check the connection status. Use Test connection or Check again when offered. Read the returned status and confirm the saved channel. A healthy connection does not yet prove that a tool read will work.
    The real connection test returning ApexGeniusAI is healthy, with authorization saved and a validation time.
    Select Test connection and check the returned channel and status.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)
  6. Run your first read with an AI agent. Open AI agents and add or select your AI client. Allow this connection with Read only for the first test. Use the question below, then compare the returned channel and data with YouTube Studio. Empty recent analytics can mean data is not available yet.
    AI agents · First readGuide frame
    Connection
    YouTube
    Access for first test
    Read only

    Copy the first question below into your connected AI client. Check the returned channel and result.

    Illustrated setup guidance. Follow the controls shown in your own account. Drawn by ApexGenius, not a screenshot, so your screen may differ by version.
Connect YouTube →

2. Connect ApexGenius to Codex

  1. In the desktop app, open Settings, then MCP servers and Add server.
  2. Name the server ApexGenius, choose Streamable HTTP, and paste the MCP address above.
  3. Save, then select Restart. Choose Authenticate for ApexGenius and complete the browser sign-in.
  4. When ApexGenius asks what this AI client may use, choose Read only for the first test, or Custom to limit it to the tools you need.
  5. Start a new conversation and select ApexGenius from the available tools before asking for live data.
Official Codex setup instructions ↗

Watch the setup

Follow each step at your own pace.

Codex desktop app with Plugins selected and ApexGenius listed under Available to your account.
Open Codex in the ChatGPT desktop app, then Plugins, and find ApexGenius.Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)

Step 1 of 4Open Plugins

The walkthrough uses the original ChatGPT web plugin captures. After connecting, open Codex in the desktop app and start a new task with ApexGenius. A ChatGPT web connection does not verify Codex access.

A public ApexGenius plugin listing is not verified. Use a plugin shared with you or one you created, subject to your account and workspace policy.

OpenAI Plugins guide (opens in a new tab)Full Codex setup guide
Create a personal plugin

Where Developer mode is available, open ChatGPT Settings, then Security and login, and enable it. In Plugins, select the plus button, enter ApexGenius and a description, then add this URL under Connection. Create the connection, complete OAuth, and review the tools. Return to Codex in the desktop app and start a new task with the plugin enabled.

https://server.autom8.pro/mcp
OpenAI custom connection guide (opens in a new tab)
No plugin available? Use desktop settings
  1. In the ChatGPT desktop app, open Settings, then MCP servers, then Add server.
  2. Name the server ApexGenius, choose Streamable HTTP, and paste the MCP address below.
  3. Save, select Restart, then Authenticate. Sign in to ApexGenius and authorize the intended connections and access.
  4. Start a new Codex task and ask one read-only question. Check the returned result and its matching successful read in Activity.
https://server.autom8.pro/mcp
OpenAI desktop MCP settings (opens in a new tab)
Manual setup for developers

Codex CLI is optional. Run these commands, complete browser authorization, then start a new session. Do not paste bearer tokens or static authorization headers.

Register the remote MCP server

codex mcp add apexgenius --url https://server.autom8.pro/mcp

Authorize in your browser

codex mcp login apexgenius

Inspect registered servers

codex mcp list

The desktop app, CLI, and IDE extension share MCP configuration on the same host. The IDE extension does not install plugins. ChatGPT web does not read local Codex configuration.

3. Verify one safe read

Show the name and details of my connected YouTube channel.

Show the name and details of my connected YouTube channel.

Check connection status, the first tool result, and the channel identity separately. If access is missing, review the connection status and enabled channel. Do not assume a new grant is needed. Disconnect stops this module in ApexGenius; Google Account access removal can affect other Google apps.

What Codex can do in YouTube

13 operations. Read looks things up and changes nothing. There are no write tools, so Codex cannot change YouTube through ApexGenius.

Read13 operations

Looks things up. Changes nothing.
  • youtube_activities_listRead recent activity for your enabled channel. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_channel_sections_listList the sections shown on your enabled channel. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_channels_listRead the name, description, and details of your enabled channel. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_i18n_languages_listList the languages supported by YouTube. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_i18n_regions_listList the regions supported by YouTube. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_playlist_items_listList videos in a playlist owned by your enabled channel. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_playlists_listList playlists owned by your enabled channel. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_search_listFind videos and playlists on your enabled channel. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_video_abuse_report_reasons_listRead YouTube video report categories. This does not submit a report. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_video_categories_listRead the video categories YouTube supports. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_videos_batch_get_statsRead available statistics for videos owned by your enabled channel. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_videos_get_ratingRead your account rating for videos owned by your enabled channel. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.
  • youtube_videos_listRead titles, descriptions, and details of videos owned by your enabled channel. Read only. Uses your enabled channel and current Google access.

You choose what Codex can use

When you approve Codex, pick Full access, Read only, or Custom. Read only allows the Read operations and nothing else. Custom picks apps and tools one by one.

Limits in YouTube

  • · Use the Google account that can access the intended YouTube channel. Check the saved channel before enabling it.
  • · These modules expose read-only tools. Listing a tool does not prove that it has run successfully for your account.
  • · YouTube tools read information about videos. They do not watch the video, hear its audio, or read captions.
  • · Uploads, edits, comments, subscriptions, livestream tools, and captions are not offered by this connection.

What it looks like in Codex

An illustrative read-only request and response. Your results come from the account and dates you choose.

How the route works
Codex
CodexApexGenius MCP route
Show the name and details of my connected YouTube channel.
ApexGenius
Working with ApexGenius1 tool search · 1 read
RequestCheck the channel
Account scopeAuthorized connections checked
apex_search_toolsYouTube channel identity · Find YouTube channel readsComplete
YouTubeapex_call_read_toolyoutube_channels_list · Read the connected channelComplete
Codex

Illustrative example: here is your connected channel, with its name, description and channel ID. Use this to confirm which channel your AI can work with.

Read-only route
Codex

Try asking

“Show the name and details of my connected YouTube channel.”

“Show the playlists for my connected YouTube channel.”

“Read the title, description and status of a video I choose from my channel. Suggest changes without saving them.”

“Find videos on my channel about a topic I choose. Show their titles and descriptions.”

More connections like this one

One ApexGenius account covers every pair below. Connect an app once and each agent you allow can use it.

Questions people ask first

Will connecting let my AI publish videos?

No. This connection exposes read-only tools and cannot upload, publish, edit, or delete videos.

Which channel will my AI use?

The one you selected on Google’s screen and enabled in ApexGenius. Its name is on the connection page. If you manage several channels, connect the one you want and check the name before you enable it.

Do I need my own Google Cloud project or API key?

No. You sign in with the Google account that can access the channel, and ApexGenius holds the authorization. You never paste a password or a verification code into ApexGenius.

Can it read transcripts of other people’s videos?

No. Captions and video or audio analysis are not included. This connector reads information about videos on your enabled channel.

Where do performance numbers live?

In YouTube Analytics, a separate connection in the YouTube group with its own access and daily Reporting. This connection covers channel details, video information, and playlists.

What happens when I disconnect?

ApexGenius stops using this channel immediately. Removing the ApexGenius app from your Google Account also affects any other Google connections you made with it, so check those first.

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