# Instructables Scraper (`lulzasaur/instructables-scraper`) Actor Scrape DIY projects and tutorials from Instructables.com. Search by keyword or category, extract steps, materials, tools, author info, views, favorites, and more. Built on Instructables Typesense search API. - **URL**: https://apify.com/lulzasaur/instructables-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [lulz bot](https://apify.com/lulzasaur) (community) - **Categories:** E-commerce - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $10.00 / 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. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. 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. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use 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 ## Instructables Scraper Scrape DIY projects and tutorials from [Instructables.com](https://www.instructables.com), the popular maker community owned by Autodesk. ### What data can you extract? For each project/tutorial, the scraper returns: | Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | `title` | Project title | | `url` | Full URL to the project | | `author` | Author username | | `authorUrl` | Link to author's profile | | `category` | Top-level category (Circuits, Workshop, Craft, etc.) | | `channel` | Sub-category channel (Arduino, Woodworking, etc.) | | `views` | Total view count | | `favorites` | Number of favorites | | `comments` | Comment count | | `steps` | Array of step objects with title, body text, and image URLs | | `materials` | Extracted list of materials/supplies | | `tools` | Extracted list of tools used | | `description` | Project description (intro text) | | `imageUrl` | Cover image URL | | `publishedDate` | ISO date when published | | `tags` | Author-assigned keywords | | `license` | Creative Commons license type | | `sourceUrl` | Original project URL | | `scrapedAt` | ISO timestamp of scrape | ### Input Parameters | Parameter | Type | Default | Description | |-----------|------|---------|-------------| | `searchQueries` | string[] | *required* | Search terms to find projects | | `maxListings` | integer | 50 | Max projects per query | | `scrapeDetails` | boolean | true | Fetch full project details (steps, materials, tools) | | `proxyConfiguration` | object | none | Proxy settings | ### Example Input ```json { "searchQueries": ["arduino", "woodworking table", "raspberry pi"], "maxListings": 20, "scrapeDetails": true } ```` ### Example Output ```json { "title": "How to Build a Farmhouse Table and Benches for $250", "url": "https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Build-a-Farmhouse-Table-and-Benches-for-250/", "author": "makingwithtyler", "authorUrl": "https://www.instructables.com/member/makingwithtyler/", "category": "Workshop", "channel": "Woodworking", "views": 24473, "favorites": 347, "comments": 28, "steps": [ { "index": 0, "title": "Introduction", "body": "In this Instructable, I'll show you how to build...", "images": ["https://content.instructables.com/..."] } ], "materials": ["6 8 foot long 2x10s", "Wood Glue", "Deck Screws"], "tools": ["Table Saw", "Miter Saw", "Planer", "Sander"], "description": "Build a farmhouse dining table and matching benches...", "imageUrl": "https://content.instructables.com/...", "publishedDate": "2017-06-12T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": ["woodworking", "farmhouse", "table"], "license": "Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike", "sourceUrl": "https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Build-a-Farmhouse-Table-and-Benches-for-250/", "scrapedAt": "2026-04-26T12:00:00.000Z" } ``` ### Use Cases - **Maker Research**: Find popular DIY projects in specific categories - **Content Analysis**: Analyze trending topics and project complexity - **Education**: Collect tutorial data for STEM education platforms - **Market Research**: Understand what materials and tools are most commonly used - **Competitor Analysis**: Track popular makers and their content performance ### Tips - Set `scrapeDetails: false` for faster listing-only scrapes (no step/materials data) - Results are sorted by view count (most popular first) - The scraper respects rate limits with built-in delays between requests - Datacenter proxies work fine; residential proxies are not needed # Actor input Schema ## `searchQueries` (type: `array`): List of search terms to find projects (e.g., 'arduino', 'woodworking table', 'raspberry pi') ## `maxListings` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of projects to scrape per search query ## `scrapeDetails` (type: `boolean`): If true, fetches full project details including steps, materials, tools, and body text. If false, returns only listing-level data from search results. ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Proxy configuration for requests ## Actor input object example ```json { "searchQueries": [ "arduino" ], "maxListings": 50, "scrapeDetails": true } ``` # 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 '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "searchQueries": [ "arduino" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("lulzasaur/instructables-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 '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "searchQueries": ["arduino"] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("lulzasaur/instructables-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).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": [ "arduino" ] }' | apify call lulzasaur/instructables-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=lulzasaur/instructables-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Instructables Scraper", "description": "Scrape DIY projects and tutorials from Instructables.com. Search by keyword or category, extract steps, materials, tools, author info, views, favorites, and more. Built on Instructables Typesense search API.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "1vjdjsJsBiafJ5iI7" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/lulzasaur~instructables-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-lulzasaur-instructables-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~instructables-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-lulzasaur-instructables-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~instructables-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-lulzasaur-instructables-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "searchQueries" ], "properties": { "searchQueries": { "title": "Search Queries", "type": "array", "description": "List of search terms to find projects (e.g., 'arduino', 'woodworking table', 'raspberry pi')", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "maxListings": { "title": "Max Listings", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 1000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of projects to scrape per search query", "default": 50 }, "scrapeDetails": { "title": "Scrape Full Details", "type": "boolean", "description": "If true, fetches full project details including steps, materials, tools, and body text. If false, returns only listing-level data from search results.", "default": true }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy Configuration", "type": "object", "description": "Proxy configuration for requests" } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```