# RedNote Video Downloader API – Xiaohongshu Metadata & Subtitle (`lance_api/xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api`) Actor

Download-ready video URLs and metadata from public RedNote (Xiaohongshu/XHS) video posts. Resolve short links, batch URLs, covers, engagement data, and multiple video streams in clean JSON.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/lance\_api/xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api.md
- **Developed by:** [LanceAPI](https://apify.com/lance_api) (community)
- **Categories:** Social media, Videos, Developer tools
- **Stats:** 1 total users, 0 monthly users, 0.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $3.00 / 1,000 successful videos

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?

Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
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.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## 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.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).

# README

## RedNote (Xiaohongshu) Video Downloader API

**Turn public RedNote/Xiaohongshu video notes into direct, download-ready video URLs with structured metadata and multiple available qualities—without storing large MP4 files in your Apify storage.**

Submit the complete public video-note URL with its matching `xsec_token`. This keeps resolution on the direct RedNote path for lower-cost video extraction.

Process 1–1,000 complete Xiaohongshu video-note URLs and receive one structured Dataset record per submitted item, with a playback-friendly `bestVideoUrl`, all detected stream variants, and structured note, creator, and engagement metadata.

- Direct video URLs for download and downstream storage workflows
- `bestVideoUrl` plus all detected stream variants in one result
- H.264-first best-video selection for broad playback compatibility
- Structured note, creator, engagement, and media metadata included
- Batch processing up to 1,000 inputs with duplicate-aware billing
- **No valid video URL, no `video-result` charge**

### ✨ Key features

#### Direct download-ready video URLs

Receive `media.bestVideoUrl` without first saving the MP4 file in Apify storage. Pass the URL to your downloader, backend, automation, or authorized storage workflow.

#### Playback-friendly best video selection

When multiple streams are available, the Actor prioritizes codecs in this order: H.264, H.265, AV1, then unknown codecs. Within the same codec, it prefers higher resolution, bitrate, and file size when those values are available.

#### Multiple qualities included

Every successful result includes `bestVideoUrl` and all detected stream variants, so you can choose codec, resolution, or quality. Multiple returned qualities do not create additional `video-result` charges.

#### Flexible RedNote/Xiaohongshu inputs

Use complete supported Xiaohongshu video-note URLs containing their matching token.

#### Batch up to 1,000 inputs

Process large lists with bounded concurrency. An invalid, deleted, inaccessible, image-only, or unparseable item does not stop the remaining inputs.

#### Duplicate-aware processing

Every submitted input receives its own Dataset record. Equivalent notes are resolved and charged only once; later records are marked with `duplicate` and `duplicateOf`.

### 🚀 Quick start

Use the Actor in Apify Console:

1. Add one RedNote/Xiaohongshu video note to `urls`.
2. Click **Start**.
3. Open the run's **Dataset**.
4. Read `media.bestVideoUrl`.
5. Use the included metadata and alternate qualities as needed.

The smallest valid input is:

```json
{
  "urls": ["https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a673660000000002201bdf0?xsec_token=ABpmxG_iiqv6i0PvH66YtPs66TX1rjAfCHs8s4EGoqXdk=&xsec_source=pc_search&source=web_explore_feed"]
}
```

### Supported RedNote / Xiaohongshu inputs

The Actor accepts complete HTTP or HTTPS Xiaohongshu video-note URLs in these forms:

- `https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/{noteId}?xsec_token=...`
- `https://www.xiaohongshu.com/discovery/item/{noteId}?xsec_token=...`
- `https://www.xiaohongshu.com/red_video/{noteId}?xsec_token=...`

The note ID is the 24-character hexadecimal value after `/explore/`, `/discovery/item/`, or `/red_video/` in the complete URL.

Profile URLs, user pages, search pages, and unrelated Xiaohongshu pages are not supported. Image-only note URLs can be submitted, but they return `unsupported_note_type` because this Actor requires a downloadable video.

Supported paths are normalized to a canonical explore URL. Duplicate detection uses the canonical note ID.

#### Note ID and required `xsec_token`

A valid `xsec_token` is required and must remain in the same URL as its video note. Open the public note from Xiaohongshu search, feed, or sharing, then copy the complete browser URL; the token appears after `?` or `&`. Keeping it in the URL improves direct-resolution reliability.

There is no separate run-level token input. Missing, expired, invalid, or mismatched tokens can cause validation or resolution failure and do not provide access to private content or bypass permissions.

Request URLs are sanitized before logging. The Dataset `input` field preserves the submitted URL, while `normalizedUrl` omits query parameters.

### Input

| Field | Type | Required | Default | Limits | Description |
|---|---|---:|---|---|---|
| `urls` | `string[]` | Yes | None | 1–1,000 items | Complete supported video-note URLs containing a valid matching `xsec_token`. Items are normalized and deduplicated by canonical note identity. |

Every successful result includes structured note metadata, the best video URL, and all detected qualities.

### Input examples

#### Single video

```json
{
  "urls": ["https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a673660000000002201bdf0?xsec_token=ABpmxG_iiqv6i0PvH66YtPs66TX1rjAfCHs8s4EGoqXdk=&xsec_source=pc_search&source=web_explore_feed"]
}
```

#### Batch input

```json
{
  "urls": [
    "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a87dbad0000000005030ca4?xsec_token=TOKEN_FOR_FIRST_NOTE",
    "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/red_video/6a84418900000000270212b1?xsec_token=TOKEN_FOR_SECOND_NOTE",
    "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a840ef900000000270231e6?xsec_token=TOKEN_FOR_THIRD_NOTE"
  ]
}
```

### Short output example

```json
{
  "input": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a87dbad0000000005030ca4?xsec_token=...",
  "normalizedUrl": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a87dbad0000000005030ca4",
  "success": true,
  "status": "success",
  "noteId": "6a87dbad0000000005030ca4",
  "noteType": "video",
  "coverUrl": "https://sns-webpic.example/cover.webp",
  "media": {
    "durationSeconds": 32.4,
    "bestVideoUrl": "https://sns-video.example/video.mp4"
  },
  "scrapedAt": "2026-08-22T02:00:00.000Z"
}
```

### Output

Results are written to the default Dataset in the same order as the submitted inputs. Every input receives one record, including failures and duplicates.

Successful video records always contain `media.bestVideoUrl`, structured note metadata, and `media.variants`.

Image-only notes and notes without an accessible video stream return failure records. They do not return `bestVideoUrl` and do not trigger `video-result` charges.

### Complete output field reference

#### Core result

| Field | Type | Availability | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| `input` | `string` | Always | Exact submitted input value. |
| `normalizedUrl` | `string` | Successful video | Canonical `https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/{noteId}` URL without tracking parameters. |
| `success` | `boolean` | Always | `true` only when a valid downloadable video URL was returned. |
| `status` | `string` | Always | Stable processing outcome. See **Status values**. |
| `noteId` | `string` | Successful video | Canonical RedNote/Xiaohongshu note ID. |
| `noteType` | `string` | Successful video | `video`. Non-video notes return a failure record instead. |
| `scrapedAt` | `string` | Successful video | UTC ISO 8601 timestamp for result creation. |

#### Video and media

| Field | Type | Availability | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| `coverUrl` | `string` | When available | Direct cover-image URL when available. |
| `media.durationSeconds` | `number` | Successful video | Video duration in seconds. May be `0` if the source provides no duration. |
| `media.bestVideoUrl` | `string` | Successful video | Selected direct video URL. The Actor requires this field before marking a result successful or charging it. |
| `media.variants` | `object[]` | Successful video | Detected stream variants in source order. May be an empty array. |
| `media.variants[].codec` | `string` | Per variant | `h264`, `h265`, `av1`, or `unknown`. |
| `media.variants[].url` | `string` | Per variant | Direct URL for that representation. |
| `media.variants[].width` | `number` | When available | Pixel width. |
| `media.variants[].height` | `number` | When available | Pixel height. |
| `media.variants[].duration` | `number` | When available | Variant duration in seconds. |
| `media.variants[].bitrate` | `number` | When available | Source-provided bitrate value. |
| `media.variants[].sizeBytes` | `number` | When available | Source-provided file size in bytes. |
| `media.variants[].qualityLabel` | `string` | When available | Source-provided quality label. |

The output does not invent MIME type, extension, or unavailable codec metadata.

#### Note metadata

These fields are included in successful video records.

| Field | Type | Availability | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| `title` | `string` | Successful video | Native note title. It can be an empty string; share text is not used as a fallback title. |
| `description` | `string` | Successful video | Native note description. |
| `createdAt` | `integer` | When available | Source creation time as a Unix timestamp in milliseconds. |
| `createdAtIso` | `string` | When valid | `createdAt` converted to UTC ISO 8601. |
| `updatedAt` | `integer` | When available | Source update time as a Unix timestamp in milliseconds. |
| `updatedAtIso` | `string` | When valid | `updatedAt` converted to UTC ISO 8601. |
| `tags` | `object[]` | Successful video | Note topics/tags. Timestamp-style moment tags are excluded. |
| `tags[].id` | `string` | When available | Source tag ID. |
| `tags[].name` | `string` | Per tag | Tag name. |

#### Author

| Field | Type | Availability | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| `author.userId` | `string` | Successful video | Xiaohongshu user ID; can be empty if unavailable. |
| `author.nickname` | `string` | Successful video | Display name. |
| `author.avatarUrl` | `string` | When available | Direct avatar URL. |
| `author.profileUrl` | `string \| null` | Successful video | Locally generated public profile URL, or `null` without a user ID. |
| `author.redId` | `string` | When available | Source-provided Red ID. |
| `author.verified` | `boolean` | When available | Source-provided verification flag. |

#### Engagement

| Field | Type | Availability | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| `engagement.likes` | `number` | Successful video | Normalized like count. |
| `engagement.comments` | `number` | Successful video | Normalized comment count. |
| `engagement.collects` | `number` | Successful video | Normalized collection/save count. |
| `engagement.shares` | `number` | Successful video | Normalized share count. |

#### Duplicate and error fields

| Field | Type | Availability | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| `duplicate` | `boolean` | Duplicate inputs | `true` when the canonical note was already processed earlier in the same run. |
| `duplicateOf` | `string` | Duplicate inputs | Original input value of the first matching record. |
| `error.code` | `string` | Failed results | Stable machine-readable failure code. |
| `error.message` | `string` | Failed results | Safe user-facing explanation. |

### Status values

`status` describes the overall result category. `error.code` gives the more specific failure reason.

| Status | Meaning | Video URL | Charged? |
|---|---|---:|---:|
| `success` | A valid video note and `bestVideoUrl` were returned. | Yes | One canonical `video-result` |
| `invalid_input` | Input was empty, malformed, or could not become a note URL. | No | No |
| `unsupported_url` | Domain, protocol, or Xiaohongshu path is unsupported. | No | No |
| `note_not_found` | The note was missing or no longer publicly accessible. | No | No |
| `access_denied` | The public note request was denied. | No | No |
| `page_fetch_failed` | Note data could not be retrieved after retries. | No | No |
| `parse_failed` | Retrieved note data could not be parsed safely. | No | No |
| `unsupported_note_type` | The submitted note is image-only or otherwise not a video note. | No | No |
| `media_not_found` | A video note was found but no accessible video stream was returned. | No | No |
| `internal_error` | An unexpected per-input error occurred. | No | No |

A duplicate of a successful canonical record can also have `status: "success"`, but the duplicate record does not trigger another charge.

### Error codes

| Error code | Status | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| `EMPTY_INPUT` | `invalid_input` | The item was empty. |
| `URL_NOT_FOUND` | `invalid_input` | No supported URL was found. |
| `XSEC_TOKEN_REQUIRED` | `invalid_input` | The full video-note URL did not include the required token. |
| `INVALID_URL` | `invalid_input` | Extracted URL syntax was invalid. |
| `INPUT_REQUIRES_RESOLVABLE_URL` | `invalid_input` | Input could not be converted into a public note URL. |
| `UNSUPPORTED_PROTOCOL` | `unsupported_url` | Protocol is not HTTP or HTTPS. |
| `UNSUPPORTED_DOMAIN` | `unsupported_url` | Domain is not supported. |
| `UNSUPPORTED_PATH` | `unsupported_url` | URL is not a supported note page. |
| `NOTE_NOT_FOUND` | `note_not_found` | Note was missing or unavailable. |
| `ACCESS_DENIED` | `access_denied` | Public note request was denied. |
| `PAGE_FETCH_FAILED` | `page_fetch_failed` | Public note page could not be fetched after retries. |
| `INITIAL_STATE_NOT_FOUND` | `parse_failed` | Expected public note state was missing. |
| `INITIAL_STATE_INVALID` | `parse_failed` | Public note state was incomplete or invalid. |
| `NOTE_DATA_INVALID` | `parse_failed` | Note data had an unexpected structure. |
| `NOT_A_VIDEO_NOTE` | `unsupported_note_type` | The note contains no downloadable video. |
| `VIDEO_MEDIA_NOT_FOUND` | `media_not_found` | No accessible video stream was found. |
| `INTERNAL_ERROR` | `internal_error` | Unexpected per-input processing error. |

### Output examples

#### Successful video note with all qualities

```json
{
  "input": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a87dbad0000000005030ca4?xsec_token=...",
  "normalizedUrl": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a87dbad0000000005030ca4",
  "success": true,
  "status": "success",
  "noteId": "6a87dbad0000000005030ca4",
  "noteType": "video",
  "coverUrl": "https://sns-webpic.example/cover.webp",
  "media": {
    "durationSeconds": 56,
    "bestVideoUrl": "https://sns-video.example/h264-1080.mp4",
    "variants": [
      {
        "codec": "h264",
        "url": "https://sns-video.example/h264-1080.mp4",
        "width": 1080,
        "height": 1920,
        "duration": 56,
        "bitrate": 2400000,
        "qualityLabel": "HD"
      },
      {
        "codec": "h265",
        "url": "https://sns-video.example/h265-2160.mp4",
        "width": 2160,
        "height": 3840
      }
    ]
  },
  "title": "Example video note",
  "description": "Example description",
  "createdAt": 1766571252000,
  "createdAtIso": "2025-12-24T10:14:12.000Z",
  "author": {
    "userId": "66ec990b000000001d031c8b",
    "nickname": "Example creator",
    "avatarUrl": "https://sns-avatar.example/avatar.webp",
    "profileUrl": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/66ec990b000000001d031c8b"
  },
  "engagement": {
    "likes": 1200,
    "comments": 18,
    "collects": 44,
    "shares": 9
  },
  "tags": [{ "id": "topic", "name": "Swimming" }],
  "scrapedAt": "2026-08-22T02:00:00.000Z"
}
```

#### Successful video note

```json
{
  "input": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a87dbad0000000005030ca4?xsec_token=...",
  "normalizedUrl": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a87dbad0000000005030ca4",
  "success": true,
  "status": "success",
  "noteId": "6a87dbad0000000005030ca4",
  "noteType": "video",
  "coverUrl": "https://sns-webpic.example/cover.webp",
  "media": {
    "durationSeconds": 56,
    "bestVideoUrl": "https://sns-video.example/h264-1080.mp4"
  },
  "scrapedAt": "2026-08-22T02:00:00.000Z"
}
```

#### Duplicate input

```json
{
  "input": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/red_video/6a87dbad0000000005030ca4?xsec_token=...",
  "normalizedUrl": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a87dbad0000000005030ca4",
  "success": true,
  "status": "success",
  "noteId": "6a87dbad0000000005030ca4",
  "noteType": "video",
  "media": {
    "durationSeconds": 56,
    "bestVideoUrl": "https://sns-video.example/h264-1080.mp4"
  },
  "duplicate": true,
  "duplicateOf": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a87dbad0000000005030ca4?xsec_token=...",
  "scrapedAt": "2026-08-22T02:00:00.000Z"
}
```

#### Image-only note

```json
{
  "input": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a840ef900000000270231e6?xsec_token=...",
  "success": false,
  "status": "unsupported_note_type",
  "error": {
    "code": "NOT_A_VIDEO_NOTE",
    "message": "This RedNote post does not contain a downloadable video."
  }
}
```

#### Invalid input

```json
{
  "input": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/example",
  "success": false,
  "status": "unsupported_url",
  "error": {
    "code": "UNSUPPORTED_PATH",
    "message": "This Xiaohongshu URL is not a supported note page."
  }
}
```

#### Deleted or inaccessible note

```json
{
  "input": "https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a67603c000000000503be3f?xsec_token=...",
  "success": false,
  "status": "note_not_found",
  "error": {
    "code": "NOTE_NOT_FOUND",
    "message": "The RedNote note could not be found or is no longer publicly accessible."
  }
}
```

### API usage

The Actor slug is `lance_api/xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api`.

#### JavaScript

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

const client = new ApifyClient({ token: process.env.APIFY_TOKEN });

const run = await client.actor('lance_api/xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api').call({
  urls: ['https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a673660000000002201bdf0?xsec_token=ABpmxG_iiqv6i0PvH66YtPs66TX1rjAfCHs8s4EGoqXdk=&xsec_source=pc_search&source=web_explore_feed'],
});

const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
console.log(items[0]?.media?.bestVideoUrl);
```

#### Python

```python
import os
from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient(os.environ["APIFY_TOKEN"])

run = client.actor("lance_api/xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api").call(run_input={
    "urls": ["https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a673660000000002201bdf0?xsec_token=ABpmxG_iiqv6i0PvH66YtPs66TX1rjAfCHs8s4EGoqXdk=&xsec_source=pc_search&source=web_explore_feed"],
})

items = client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).list_items().items
print(items[0].get("media", {}).get("bestVideoUrl"))
```

#### cURL

This synchronous endpoint runs the Actor and returns the default Dataset items:

```bash
curl -X POST \
  "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/lance_api~xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api/run-sync-get-dataset-items?format=json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $APIFY_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "urls": ["https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/6a673660000000002201bdf0?xsec_token=ABpmxG_iiqv6i0PvH66YtPs66TX1rjAfCHs8s4EGoqXdk=&xsec_source=pc_search&source=web_explore_feed"]
  }'
```

In the returned JSON array, read `[0].media.bestVideoUrl`.

### 💰 Simple, transparent pricing

You pay only for canonical results that successfully return a valid `media.bestVideoUrl`.

- **Standard price:** $0.006 per successful video result — **$6 per 1,000**
- **Lowest eligible discounted price:** from $0.003 per successful video result — **$3 per 1,000**

Check the Actor's **Pricing** tab for the current rate available to your Apify plan.

One successful video costs the same whether one or multiple qualities are returned. A canonical successful video emits one `video-result`, regardless of the number of available stream variants.

Invalid inputs, unsupported URLs, missing/invalid tokens, deleted or inaccessible notes, image-only notes, missing video media, parse/fetch failures, and duplicate-only records do not add a `video-result` charge.

**No valid video URL, no `video-result` charge.**

### Use cases

- **Video download automation:** Pass temporary download-ready URLs to your own downloader or storage workflow.
- **Media catalogs:** Build structured catalogs with video URLs, covers, note metadata, authors, and engagement.
- **Creator and competitor research:** Analyze public video-note metadata that you are authorized to collect.
- **Content research:** Combine video URLs and structured context in downstream datasets.
- **Backup and archival workflows:** Copy permitted media to your storage before temporary CDN URLs expire.
- **AI and RAG workflows:** Use public note text and metadata as context for downstream language-model systems.
- **API automation:** Connect a Xiaohongshu Video Downloader to n8n, Make, Zapier, backend jobs, or data pipelines.

### How it works

1. Validate the complete video-note URL and its required token.
2. Normalize it to a canonical RedNote/Xiaohongshu note identity.
3. Deduplicate equivalent inputs while preserving one record per submitted item.
4. Resolve the public video note and its available streams.
5. Select the best compatible video and include all detected variants.
6. Save normalized success or failure records to the default Dataset in input order.

### 🤖 Use with AI agents

Use this Actor through the Apify MCP Server from ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, Codex, or another MCP-compatible client. MCP runs use the same Actor pricing as normal Apify runs.

Example prompt:

> Use the Apify Actor `lance_api/xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api` to resolve download-ready video URLs from these public RedNote/Xiaohongshu video-note URLs. Return the input, note ID, title, best video URL, available qualities, author, engagement, and processing status.

### FAQ

#### Which RedNote/Xiaohongshu URLs are supported?

Supported note paths are `/explore/{id}`, `/discovery/item/{id}`, and `/red_video/{id}`. Submit the complete URL containing its matching token.

#### Can I submit note IDs directly?

No. This lower-cost Actor requires the complete public video-note URL containing its matching token.

#### Can I process up to 1,000 notes?

Yes. `urls` accepts 1–1,000 items, and each submitted item receives one Dataset record.

#### Does the Actor download MP4 files into Apify storage?

No. It returns direct media URLs. Download or copy permitted media separately if you need permanent storage.

#### What is `bestVideoUrl`?

It is the direct video URL selected for broad playback compatibility and then quality within the selected codec.

#### How does the Actor choose the best video?

It prefers H.264, then H.265, AV1, and unknown codecs. Within one codec, it prefers higher resolution, bitrate, and size when available.

#### Can I get multiple video qualities?

Yes. Every successful result includes `media.variants` together with `media.bestVideoUrl`.

#### Does returning multiple qualities cost more?

No. A canonical successful note is charged once even when multiple qualities are returned.

#### What data does the Xiaohongshu Video Downloader return?

A successful result includes a direct `bestVideoUrl`, detected stream variants, video duration, cover URL, note title and description, author information, engagement counts, tags, timestamps, and processing metadata when available.

#### Are duplicate inputs charged twice?

No. Canonical duplicates keep individual Dataset records but are resolved and charged only once per run.

#### What happens if I submit an image-only note?

It returns `success: false`, `status: "unsupported_note_type"`, and `error.code: "NOT_A_VIDEO_NOTE"`. It has no `bestVideoUrl` and no `video-result` charge. Metadata is not returned for this failure record.

#### Are video URLs permanent?

No. They are RedNote/Xiaohongshu CDN URLs returned at processing time, and some include temporary signatures. Download or copy permitted media to your own storage promptly when you need long-term access.

#### Do I need `xsec_token`?

Yes. Each submitted video-note URL must contain its valid matching token.

#### Can this Actor access private content?

No. It is designed for publicly accessible notes and does not bypass login or access controls.

#### How am I charged?

Only a canonical successful result with a valid `media.bestVideoUrl` emits one `video-result`. Failures and duplicate-only records do not add that charge.

#### Can an AI agent use this Actor?

Yes. Use `lance_api/xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api` through the Apify API or Apify MCP Server.

### Limitations

- Publicly accessible content only; no login automation or access-control bypass
- Image-only notes do not produce video URLs
- Deleted, unavailable, or restricted notes can fail
- Profile, user, and search pages are unsupported
- `xsec_token` values can expire or become invalid
- Returned CDN media URLs can expire or stop working
- Available codec, resolution, bitrate, and quality fields vary by note
- Metadata fields can be empty, null, or omitted when unavailable
- Platform changes can temporarily affect resolution or parsing
- The Actor does not permanently host or store video files

### Public data and responsible use

Use this Actor only for lawful access to public content. Respect RedNote/Xiaohongshu terms, Apify terms, copyright, privacy, and applicable law. Do not use it for harassment, spam, unlawful profiling, attempts to access private information, or access-control bypass.

### Support

For help, open an issue on the Actor page or email **lanceapi2026@hotmail.com**.

Include:

- Apify Run ID
- The affected public note URL
- Returned `status` and `error.code`
- Expected result and actual result

When posting publicly on the Issues page, you may redact the `xsec_token` value from the example URL.

Do not send Apify tokens, cookies, session credentials, API keys, passwords, or other private credentials.

# Actor input Schema

## `urls` (type: `array`):

Add 1–1000 full Xiaohongshu video-note URLs. Each URL must contain a valid xsec\_token query parameter. Open a public video note from Xiaohongshu search, feed, or sharing, then copy the complete browser URL; xsec\_token appears after ? or & in that URL. A valid token makes direct video resolution more reliable. Note IDs and token-free URLs are not accepted by this Actor.

## Actor input object example

```json
{}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

No description

## `summary` (type: `string`):

No description

# 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 = {};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("lance_api/xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api").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 = {}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("lance_api/xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api").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 '{}' |
apify call lance_api/xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,lance_api/xiaohongshu-video-downloader-api"
        }
    }
}

```

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/g05hJIVldcLnUF3CX/builds/uAM4ZU8N9b1jkJBu4/openapi.json