YouTube diagnostics

Video discovery readiness.

This verifies YouTube API key setup, category search behavior, and the mock video fallback path.

Developer Mode

Environment key

YOUTUBE_API_KEY

YouTube status

Missing key

Data mode

mocked

Test search

This calls the local YouTube search API and reports whether the response is real or mocked.

Mock YouTube fallback
{
  "mode": "mocked",
  "statusLabel": "Mock YouTube fallback",
  "query": "John Wick",
  "category": "all",
  "videos": [
    {
      "id": "mock-wick-trailer",
      "title": "John Wick official trailer",
      "channelTitle": "Movie Trailers",
      "category": "trailers",
      "description": "Trailer and franchise entry point.",
      "thumbnailUrl": null,
      "publishedAt": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
      "deepLink": "https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=John%20Wick%20official%20trailer"
    },
    {
      "id": "mock-wick-fight",
      "title": "John Wick fight breakdown",
      "channelTitle": "Action Design Lab",
      "category": "reviews",
      "description": "Fight choreography and stunt design analysis.",
      "thumbnailUrl": null,
      "publishedAt": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
      "deepLink": "https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=John%20Wick%20fight%20breakdown"
    },
    {
      "id": "mock-wick-bts",
      "title": "John Wick behind the scenes",
      "channelTitle": "Studio Interviews",
      "category": "interviews",
      "description": "Cast and director interviews.",
      "thumbnailUrl": null,
      "publishedAt": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
      "deepLink": "https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=John%20Wick%20behind%20the%20scenes"
    },
    {
      "id": "mock-wick-soundtrack",
      "title": "John Wick club soundtrack video",
      "channelTitle": "Soundtrack Vault",
      "category": "soundtrack",
      "description": "Music videos and club scene tracks.",
      "thumbnailUrl": null,
      "publishedAt": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
      "deepLink": "https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=John%20Wick%20club%20soundtrack%20video"
    },
    {
      "id": "mock-wick-fan",
      "title": "John Wick fan edit",
      "channelTitle": "Action Fan Cuts",
      "category": "fan",
      "description": "Fan edits and tribute videos.",
      "thumbnailUrl": null,
      "publishedAt": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
      "deepLink": "https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=John%20Wick%20fan%20edit"
    }
  ]
}

Setup notes

Add YOUTUBE_API_KEY to switch video discovery to real YouTube search results.
Use category queries for trailers, reviews, lore, fan content, interviews, and soundtracks.
Store selected videos later so MULOME can personalize creator and topic recommendations.
Add quota monitoring and result caching before production.