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PodLearn

by blutrich · remote · no sign-in to list tools · v1.1.0 · published by GitHub user blutrich

Search 4M+ podcasts & YouTube, transcribe any episode, search transcripts, generate AI lessons.

Deletes · 1Changes · 7

25 tools: 1 can delete or cancel things, 7 change things and 17 only read.

Scanned Oct 21, 2026

1 check matched something in the tool definitions. No finding is not a safety guarantee. How the checks work.

claude mcp add --transport http podlearn https://podlearn.ai/mcp

Findings

Matches of fixed checks, with the text they matched.

1 warn
  • The server marks "browse_episodes" read-only (readOnlyHint: true), and its own name, description or input give the class "write".

    Matched text

    annotations: {"readOnlyHint":true,"destructiveHint":false}; The name "browse_episodes" says "browse": a word for reading.

    What this check looks for

Tools

Open a tool for its reasons and full description. Descriptions are the publisher's own words, shown as they are.

25 tools

Deletes or cancels 1Claude Code: deny
  • remove_saved_itemPermanently remove a saved/bookmarked episode or lesson from the caller's collection.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "remove_saved_item" says "remove": a word for removing or ending something.
    • The description says "Permanently remove".
    • The server marks it destructive (destructiveHint: true).
    Description, as the server wrote it
    Permanently remove a saved/bookmarked episode or lesson from the caller's collection. The saved_item_id comes from get_saved_items.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Remove saved item
    • readOnlyHint: false
    • destructiveHint: true
Changes things 7Claude Code: ask
  • browse_episodesOpen an interactive episode picker (cards with show, title, and status) for the user to pick an episode to read.1 finding

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "browse_episodes" says "browse": a word for reading.
    • The description's first verb is "open": a word for a change.
    • The server marks it read-only (readOnlyHint: true), but an annotation never lowers a class.

    Findings

    • Warn

      The server marks "browse_episodes" read-only (readOnlyHint: true), and its own name, description or input give the class "write".

      Matched text

      annotations: {"readOnlyHint":true,"destructiveHint":false}; The name "browse_episodes" says "browse": a word for reading.

      What this check looks for
    Description, as the server wrote it
    Open an interactive episode picker (cards with show, title, and status) 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.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Browse episodes
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • generate_lessonGenerate a structured AI lesson (summary, key takeaways, sections) from a completed transcription.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "generate_lesson" says "generate": a word for a change.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Generate lesson
    • readOnlyHint: false
    • destructiveHint: false
  • generate_linkedin_postTurn an already-generated lesson into a LinkedIn-ready share post.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "generate_linkedin_post" says "generate": a word for a change.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Generate LinkedIn post
    • readOnlyHint: false
    • destructiveHint: false
  • save_itemBookmark an episode or lesson for the caller.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "save_item" says "save": a word for a change.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    Bookmark an episode or lesson for the caller.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Save item
    • readOnlyHint: false
    • destructiveHint: false
  • start_transcriptionKick off transcription on an episode ALREADY in the library.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "start_transcription" says "start": a word for a change.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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).

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Start transcription
    • readOnlyHint: false
    • destructiveHint: false
  • transcribe_feedBulk/season transcription — kick off transcription for up to `max` (cap 25) not-yet-transcribed episodes of a podcast feed in ONE call.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • Nothing in its name or description says what it does, so it is counted as a write.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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".

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Transcribe feed (bulk)
    • readOnlyHint: false
    • destructiveHint: false
  • transcribe_urlIngest and transcribe an EXTERNAL / arbitrary audio URL — a URL the user pasted, or audio not reachable through the index.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • Nothing in its name or description says what it does, so it is counted as a write.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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".

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Transcribe URL
    • readOnlyHint: false
    • destructiveHint: false
Only reads 17Claude Code: allow
  • get_episode_detailsFetch full metadata for one episode including transcription_status and lesson_generation_status.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "get_episode_details" says "get": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Episode details
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • get_episode_usageGet the caller's episode-access usage stats — how many episodes they've transcribed/read this billing period.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "get_episode_usage" says "get": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    Get the caller's episode-access usage stats — how many episodes they've transcribed/read this billing period.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Episode usage
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • get_lesson_contentFetch the full body of one AI-generated lesson (title, summary, key takeaways, structured sections).No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "get_lesson_content" says "get": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Lesson content
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • get_podcast_detailsFetch full metadata for one podcast in the PodLearn library, including its episode count.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "get_podcast_details" says "get": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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).

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Podcast details
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • get_saved_itemsList the caller's saved/bookmarked episodes and lessons.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "get_saved_items" says "get": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    List the caller's saved/bookmarked episodes and lessons.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Saved items
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • get_subscription_statusGet the caller's subscription plan + active/expired status + period end.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "get_subscription_status" says "get": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    Get the caller's subscription plan + active/expired status + period end.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Subscription status
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • get_transcriptionFetch transcript text for a completed episode.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "get_transcription" says "get": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Get transcription
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • get_transcription_segmentsFetch timestamped transcript segments.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "get_transcription_segments" says "get": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    Fetch timestamped transcript segments. Use when the user wants timestamps — "jump to where they discuss X", chapter boundaries, durations of specific parts.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Transcript segments
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • get_user_creditsGet the caller's remaining transcription credits.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "get_user_credits" says "get": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    Get the caller's remaining transcription credits.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: User credits
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • list_episodesList episodes already in the local DB for a specific podcast.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "list_episodes" says "list": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: List episodes
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • list_feed_episodesFetch the canonical episode list for a podcast directly from PodcastIndex (the upstream RSS index).No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "list_feed_episodes" says "list": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: List feed episodes
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • list_lessonsList the calling user's saved AI-generated lessons.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "list_lessons" says "list": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    List the calling user's saved AI-generated lessons.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: List lessons
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • list_podcastsList podcasts already in the PodLearn library, optionally filtered by category.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "list_podcasts" says "list": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    List podcasts already in the PodLearn library, optionally filtered by category. Returns most-recently-added first. For discovery beyond the library use search_podcasts.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: List podcasts
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • search_episodesCross-podcast episode search by title/description AND parent podcast name/author.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "search_episodes" says "search": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Search episodes
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • search_podcastsSearch PodLearn library AND PodcastIndex.org (4M+ podcasts) by keyword.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "search_podcasts" says "search": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Search podcasts
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • search_transcriptionKeyword search WITHIN a single episode's transcript.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "search_transcription" says "search": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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.

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Search transcript
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false
  • search_youtubeDiscover YouTube videos by topic/keyword across all of YouTube.No findings

    Why it is in this group

    • The name "search_youtube" says "search": a word for reading.
    Description, as the server wrote it
    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).

    Annotations the server declares

    • title: Search YouTube
    • readOnlyHint: true
    • destructiveHint: false

This is not a safety rating, and no finding is not a safety guarantee. The groups and findings come from fixed checks of the tool definitions the server returned on the date shown, not from its code or what it does when called. How the checks work.

Install

Pinned to version 1.1.0. Values in angle brackets are yours to fill in.

claude mcp add --transport http podlearn https://podlearn.ai/mcp

Run in a terminal.

Claude Code permissions

Allow the reads, ask before a change, deny the deletes. Paste into .claude/settings.json.

.claude/settings.json
{
  "permissions": {
    "allow": [
      "mcp__podlearn__search_podcasts",
      "mcp__podlearn__list_podcasts",
      "mcp__podlearn__get_podcast_details",
      "mcp__podlearn__search_episodes",
      "mcp__podlearn__list_feed_episodes",
      "mcp__podlearn__list_episodes",
      "mcp__podlearn__get_episode_details",
      "mcp__podlearn__get_transcription",
      "mcp__podlearn__search_transcription",
      "mcp__podlearn__get_transcription_segments",
      "mcp__podlearn__list_lessons",
      "mcp__podlearn__get_lesson_content",
      "mcp__podlearn__get_subscription_status",
      "mcp__podlearn__get_user_credits",
      "mcp__podlearn__get_episode_usage",
      "mcp__podlearn__get_saved_items",
      "mcp__podlearn__search_youtube"
    ],
    "ask": [
      "mcp__podlearn__transcribe_url",
      "mcp__podlearn__transcribe_feed",
      "mcp__podlearn__start_transcription",
      "mcp__podlearn__generate_lesson",
      "mcp__podlearn__save_item",
      "mcp__podlearn__generate_linkedin_post",
      "mcp__podlearn__browse_episodes"
    ],
    "deny": [
      "mcp__podlearn__remove_saved_item"
    ]
  }
}

Tools that only read are allowed, tools that change things ask first, tools that delete or cancel are denied. It assumes the server is installed as podlearn. Review it before you use it.