# Product Launch Monitor (`silicon1235/product-launch-monitor`) Actor Monitor Hacker News and public launch feeds for new products, competitor launches, and keyword-triggered launch alerts. - **URL**: https://apify.com/silicon1235/product-launch-monitor.md - **Developed by:** [X L](https://apify.com/silicon1235) (community) - **Categories:** Automation, Business, Developer tools - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing Pay per usage This Actor is paid per platform usage. The Actor is free to use, and you only pay for the Apify platform usage, which gets cheaper the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-usage ## 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/docs.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.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/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 ## Product Launch Monitor Monitor Hacker News and public RSS/Atom launch feeds for new products, competitor launches, and keyword-triggered launch alerts. This Actor is designed for scheduled market monitoring. It is not a generic HN or Product Hunt scraper: the main value is a compact change report that highlights new launch items worth acting on. ### Input - `queries`: Hacker News Algolia search queries. - `rssUrls`: public RSS/Atom feeds. The default uses the HN RSS Show HN feed; add Product Hunt or other feeds only when appropriate for your use case. - `alertKeywords`: product categories, competitor names, or buyer-problem terms that should trigger alerts. - `previousItemIds`: optional IDs from a previous run. - `snapshotKey`: key-value-store record used for scheduled change detection. - `minHnPoints`: minimum HN score for a high-priority alert. ### Output Dataset rows include: - source and source URL - title, URL, published time, and score - `NEW` or `SEEN` status - alert flag, priority, matched keywords, and reasons Key-value-store records: - `SUMMARY`: machine-readable counts by source - `REPORT`: Markdown digest for quick inspection ### Monetization plan First release should be free or usage-cost-only. If organic usage appears, clean paid units are: - `launch-alert`: a new launch item matching configured keywords. - `high-signal-hn-launch`: a new HN launch discussion above the point threshold. - `launch-digest-generated`: a scheduled digest containing at least one new alert. Do not charge for unchanged `SEEN` rows or empty reports. See `MONETIZATION_READINESS.md` for the current market-gap positioning and release gate. The short version: this is a second-batch product with a better less-crowded gap score than raw app-review scraping, but it should still wait behind the current App Review approval gate unless explicitly reprioritized. ### Source notes The default configuration avoids API-token setup and browser automation. Product Hunt's official API requires an access token and has commercial-use constraints, so this Actor does not depend on that API by default. Users can still provide public feeds they are allowed to monitor. ### Local validation ```powershell npm test npm run sample npx apify-cli validate-schema npm pack --dry-run --json ```` ### Guarded remote test Remote testing requires explicit approval and a fresh local preflight: ```powershell powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\apify-run-approved-remote-test.ps1 -Actor product-launch -Apply -ConfirmText 'APPROVE guarded product-launch remote private test <= $0.02' ``` # Actor input Schema ## `queries` (type: `array`): Keywords to search on Hacker News Algolia, such as competitor names, product categories, or buyer problems. ## `rssUrls` (type: `array`): Public RSS/Atom feeds to monitor. Keep defaults account-free; add Product Hunt or other feeds only when appropriate for your use case. ## `alertKeywords` (type: `array`): Keywords that make a launch item alert-worthy. ## `previousItemIds` (type: `array`): Optional IDs from a previous run. Missing IDs are marked NEW. ## `snapshotKey` (type: `string`): Key-value-store record used for scheduled change detection. ## `saveSnapshot` (type: `boolean`): Save current item IDs so the next scheduled run can detect new launches. ## `daysBack` (type: `integer`): How far back to search Hacker News. ## `minHnPoints` (type: `integer`): Minimum HN points for an item to be considered high-signal. ## `maxItems` (type: `integer`): Maximum launch items to output. ## Actor input object example ```json { "queries": [ "AI agent", "automation", "scraper" ], "rssUrls": [ "https://hnrss.org/show" ], "alertKeywords": [ "agent", "automation", "scraper", "monitor", "sales", "lead" ], "previousItemIds": [], "snapshotKey": "PRODUCT_LAUNCH_SNAPSHOT", "saveSnapshot": true, "daysBack": 7, "minHnPoints": 20, "maxItems": 100 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `items` (type: `string`): Default dataset rows with source, title, URL, status, alert, and priority fields. ## `summary` (type: `string`): No description ## `report` (type: `string`): No description ## `snapshot` (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 '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("silicon1235/product-launch-monitor").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 = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("silicon1235/product-launch-monitor").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 '{}' | apify call silicon1235/product-launch-monitor --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=silicon1235/product-launch-monitor", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Product Launch Monitor", "description": "Monitor Hacker News and public launch feeds for new products, competitor launches, and keyword-triggered launch alerts.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "LGDy6Ac025uDkGFNk" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/silicon1235~product-launch-monitor/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-silicon1235-product-launch-monitor", "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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/silicon1235~product-launch-monitor/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-silicon1235-product-launch-monitor", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/silicon1235~product-launch-monitor/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-silicon1235-product-launch-monitor", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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", "properties": { "queries": { "title": "HN search queries", "type": "array", "description": "Keywords to search on Hacker News Algolia, such as competitor names, product categories, or buyer problems.", "default": [ "AI agent", "automation", "scraper" ], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "rssUrls": { "title": "RSS or Atom launch feeds", "type": "array", "description": "Public RSS/Atom feeds to monitor. Keep defaults account-free; add Product Hunt or other feeds only when appropriate for your use case.", "default": [ "https://hnrss.org/show" ], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "alertKeywords": { "title": "Alert keywords", "type": "array", "description": "Keywords that make a launch item alert-worthy.", "default": [ "agent", "automation", "scraper", "monitor", "sales", "lead" ], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "previousItemIds": { "title": "Previous item IDs", "type": "array", "description": "Optional IDs from a previous run. Missing IDs are marked NEW.", "default": [], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "snapshotKey": { "title": "Snapshot key", "type": "string", "description": "Key-value-store record used for scheduled change detection.", "default": "PRODUCT_LAUNCH_SNAPSHOT" }, "saveSnapshot": { "title": "Save snapshot", "type": "boolean", "description": "Save current item IDs so the next scheduled run can detect new launches.", "default": true }, "daysBack": { "title": "Days back", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 30, "type": "integer", "description": "How far back to search Hacker News.", "default": 7 }, "minHnPoints": { "title": "Minimum HN points", "minimum": 0, "maximum": 10000, "type": "integer", "description": "Minimum HN points for an item to be considered high-signal.", "default": 20 }, "maxItems": { "title": "Maximum items", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 1000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum launch items to output.", "default": 100 } } }, "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 } } } } } } } } } } ```