Transcript Sidecar
Chrome Extension · version 0.4.2 · Tokumaru Labs
View, copy, format, and export YouTube transcripts — right in Chrome's Side Panel.
Key features
- Opens in the Chrome Side Panel, next to the video.
- Reads the available caption tracks from the current YouTube video.
- One-click Copy full transcript, with artificial caption line breaks removed.
- Readable copy that keeps the wording but adds paragraph breaks; export as
.txtor.md. - Copy with timestamps, or as Markdown with the video title, URL, and caption language.
- Click a transcript timestamp to seek the video. Switch the interface between Japanese and English at any time.
How to copy a YouTube transcript
- Install and open a video. Add Transcript Sidecar from the Chrome Web Store, then open a YouTube video with available captions in desktop Chrome.
- Open the side panel. Click the Transcript Sidecar extension icon. Choose an available caption track; the JP / EN toggle changes the interface language.
- Copy or save. Copy the full transcript, readable paragraphs, or timestamped text. Use Markdown to keep the video title and source URL, or save a TXT or Markdown file.
From a video to your notes
Keep a lecture's captions beside the video while you review. Click a timestamp to return to a passage, or save Markdown with the source URL to organize your study notes. Paragraph formatting keeps the caption wording; it does not summarize or translate it.
Frequently asked questions
Can it transcribe a video without captions?
No. It reads captions made available by YouTube and does not transcribe audio. Caption availability and changes to YouTube can affect whether a transcript loads.
Does switching JP / EN translate the captions?
No. It changes the extension's buttons and messages. Caption languages depend on the tracks YouTube makes available for that video.
Can I keep the video title and link?
Yes. Markdown export includes the title, source URL, caption language information, and paragraph-formatted transcript.
What if the transcript does not load?
Check that the video has captions, reload the video page, and reopen the extension. Some videos and live streams do not expose usable captions. If the problem continues, use the support page.
Privacy
- No account, no analytics, no ads, and no developer-operated transcript server.
- Captions are retrieved from YouTube. Copying, formatting, and file export are performed locally.
- Transcript text is not sent to Tokumaru Labs or a developer-operated transcript server.
- The interface-language preference is saved on your device. Website access is limited to YouTube.
- Read the privacy policy for details.