# Vs Code Marketplace Scraper (`kawsar/vs-code-marketplace-scraper`) Actor

Extract VS Code extensions by keyword or publisher ID without login or technical setup. Get install counts, ratings, versions, and publisher details. Save and export clean results instantly as CSV, JSON, or Excel datasets for analysis and tracking.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/kawsar/vs-code-marketplace-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Kawsar](https://apify.com/kawsar) (community)
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $2.99 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## VS Code Marketplace Scraper: VS Code extensions search and installs

This VS Code Marketplace scraper gathers extensions data and writes clean, structured rows for each extension. Search by keyword or specify exact extension IDs using the `publisher.extension` format, then export your dataset in JSON, CSV, or Excel format.

### Use cases

- **Extension search**: Look up keywords like `python`, sort by install counts, and track popular extensions alongside their average ratings.
- **Specific extension tracking**: Pass specific IDs like `ms-python.python` to gather detailed metadata, including display names, version history, and usage statistics.
- **Market research**: Compare adoption rates and ratings across various developer tool categories or competitor extensions.
- **Capped data collection**: Set item limits before exporting to spreadsheets so large queries stay structured and manageable.

### What data does this actor extract?

The scraper extracts key details for both keyword searches and targeted extension lookups:

- **Publisher details**: Name, display name, domain, and verification status.
- **Extension metadata**: Display name, description, release date, and last updated timestamp.
- **Usage statistics**: Total install counts, average ratings, and performance metrics.
- **Version history**: Recorded version numbers, target platforms, and release flags.

Duplicate items in the same run are automatically filtered out. If a query returns no results or encounters an issue, the tool logs the status cleanly without stopping your run.

### Input

| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
|-----------|------|---------|-------------|
| `searchQueries` | array | `python` | Keywords to search for. Enter one keyword per line. |
| `extensionIds` | array | empty | Specific extension IDs (e.g., `ms-python.python`). |
| `sortBy` | integer | `0` | Sort order: `0` (Relevance), `4` (Installs), `6` (Rating), `10` (Updated). |
| `maxItems` | integer | 100 | Maximum number of rows to save (up to 1,000). |
| `requestDelaySecs` | number | 0.5 | Pause time between data requests. |
| `timeoutSecs` | integer | 300 | Maximum runtime in seconds (up to 3,600). |
| `requestTimeoutSecs` | integer | 30 | Response timeout before retrying. |
| `proxyConfiguration` | object | `{"useApifyProxy": false}` | Proxy configuration if needed. |

#### Example input

```json
{
  "searchQueries": ["python"],
  "extensionIds": ["ms-python.python"],
  "sortBy": 4,
  "maxItems": 100,
  "requestDelaySecs": 0.5,
  "timeoutSecs": 300,
  "requestTimeoutSecs": 30,
  "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": false }
}

```

### Output

Each row includes the pulled extension details along with metadata such as mode, item page link, and extraction timestamp:

```json
{
  "publisher": {
    "publisherId": "998b010b-e2af-44a5-a6cd-0b5fd3b9b6f8",
    "publisherName": "ms-python",
    "displayName": "Microsoft",
    "flags": "verified",
    "domain": "[https://microsoft.com](https://microsoft.com)",
    "isDomainVerified": true
  },
  "extensionId": "f1f59ae4-9318-4f3c-a9b5-81b2eaa5f8a5",
  "extensionName": "python",
  "displayName": "Python",
  "flags": "validated, public",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-10-08T14:09:20.39+00:00",
  "publishedDate": "2016-01-19T15:03:11.337+00:00",
  "releaseDate": "2016-01-19T15:03:11.337+00:00",
  "shortDescription": "Python language support with extension access points for IntelliSense (Pylance), Debugging (Python Debugger), linting, formatting, refactoring, unit tests, and more.",
  "versions": [
    {
      "version": "2026.9.2026100801",
      "targetPlatform": "win32-arm64",
      "flags": "validated"
    }
  ],
  "statistics": [
    { "statisticName": "install", "value": 240567329 },
    { "statisticName": "averagerating", "value": 4.2 }
  ],
  "deploymentType": 0,
  "mode": "search",
  "scraped_at": "2026-10-12T00:00:00+00:00"
}

```

| Field | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `publisher` | object | Publisher metadata. |
| `extensionId` | string | Unique extension ID. |
| `extensionName` | string | Internal extension name. |
| `displayName` | string | Title shown on the marketplace. |
| `flags` | string | Extension verification status flags. |
| `lastUpdated` | string | Last update timestamp. |
| `publishedDate` | string | Initial publication date. |
| `releaseDate` | string | Release timestamp. |
| `shortDescription` | string | Brief description of the extension. |
| `versions` | array | List of version records and target platforms. |
| `statistics` | array | Install counts, ratings, and feedback metrics. |
| `deploymentType` | integer | Deployment classifier. |
| `mode` | string | Extraction mode (`search` or `detail`). |
| `scraped_at` | string | Timestamp when the data was extracted. |

### How it works

1. Reads your list of search keywords or target extension IDs (defaults to searching `python` if left empty).
2. Sends query requests with appropriate headers to fetch structured data pages.
3. Automatically pages through search results until reaching your chosen `maxItems` limit or the end of the listing.
4. Cleans up duplicate entries and pushes structured data rows directly to your dataset.

### FAQ

**Can I export data directly to CSV or Excel?**
Yes. You can export the dataset in JSON, CSV, Excel, or XML directly from the dataset view.

**How fresh is the extracted data?**
The scraper fetches fresh details live at run time. The `scraped_at` field records the exact timestamp when each row was built.

**What happens if an extension ID doesn't exist?**
If an extension ID is not found, the actor logs a clean error row with the input ID and a 404 status so your entire run keeps moving without failing.

**How many rows can I pull in a single run?**
`maxItems` defaults to 100 rows, but you can set it anywhere up to 1,000 rows per execution.

### Trademark Notice

VS Code Marketplace and related product names, logos, and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Their inclusion here is solely for identifying the source of data and does not imply endorsement, affiliation, or sponsorship.

### Disclaimer

This scraper is an independent automation tool and is not officially associated with or endorsed by VS Code Marketplace or its parent companies. Users are responsible for complying with relevant site terms, usage guidelines, and applicable data handling standards.

### Is web scraping legal?

This actor only collects publicly available data without bypassing access controls. Extracting public data is generally legal, but how you handle and use it matters:

- **Personal data:** If your extracted data contains personal information (such as creator contact details), regional data privacy regulations like GDPR or CCPA may apply.
- **Copyright:** Always respect copyrighted text, media, and artwork. Avoid republishing full original text or media assets without appropriate permission.
- **Terms of use:** Always follow fair usage practices, keep request rates reasonable, and observe guidelines provided by source platforms.
- **Legal advice:** This guide provides general information, not formal legal advice. Consult a legal professional for specific guidance regarding your use case.

Read more on Apify's legal overview: [Is web scraping legal?](https://blog.apify.com/is-web-scraping-legal/)

# Actor input Schema

## `searchQueries` (type: `array`):

Keywords for filterType 10 on POST https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/\_apis/public/gallery/extensionquery, always with filterType 8 set to Microsoft.VisualStudio.Code. One keyword per line. Example: python. Leave empty to skip search.

## `extensionIds` (type: `array`):

publisher.extension ids for filterType 7 on the same gallery query. One id per line. Example: ms-python.python. Leave empty to skip detail.

## `sortBy` (type: `integer`):

Search sortBy. 0 relevance, 4 installs, 6 rating, 10 updated. Other values fall back to 0. sortOrder stays 0.

## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):

Maximum extension rows to save this run. Error rows do not count. Minimum 1, hard cap 1000.

## `requestDelaySecs` (type: `number`):

Seconds to wait between gallery requests. Minimum 0.5. Requests run one at a time.

## `timeoutSecs` (type: `integer`):

Stop the run after this many seconds and keep rows already collected. Default 300. Maximum 3600.

## `requestTimeoutSecs` (type: `integer`):

How long to wait for one gallery response before that call is retried or saved as an error. Default 30.

## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):

Optional proxy for gallery requests. Default is no proxy. Turn on Apify Proxy only if you need it.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "searchQueries": [
    "python"
  ],
  "extensionIds": [],
  "sortBy": 0,
  "maxItems": 100,
  "requestDelaySecs": 0.5,
  "timeoutSecs": 300,
  "requestTimeoutSecs": 30,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `overview` (type: `string`):

Publisher, extension id, name, display name, flags, dates, and mode.

## `errors` (type: `string`):

Failed requests with the input value, HTTP status, and message.

## `dataset` (type: `string`):

Every row from the run, without a table view applied.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "searchQueries": [
        "python"
    ],
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": false
    }
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("kawsar/vs-code-marketplace-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "searchQueries": ["python"],
    "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": False },
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("kawsar/vs-code-marketplace-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "searchQueries": [
    "python"
  ],
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}' |
apify call kawsar/vs-code-marketplace-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,kawsar/vs-code-marketplace-scraper"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/mG0gs9IGuDZZRUazB/builds/BgIcXQ4SHe3QVUuQ7/openapi.json