---
name: Apify Actorization
slug: apify-actorization
category: DevOps
description: Apify Actorization converts existing projects into Apify Actors, serverless cloud programs that accept JSON input and produce structured output. Use it when migrating code to Apify, wrapping CLI tools as Actors, or adding the Apify SDK to existing projects.
github: "https://github.com/apify/agent-skills/tree/main/skills/apify-actorization"
language: Python
stars: 2352
forks: 254
install: "npx degit https://github.com/apify/agent-skills/tree/main/skills/apify-actorization ~/.claude/skills/apify-actorization"
installs_to: ~/.claude/skills/apify-actorization
source_path: skills/apify-actorization/SKILL.md
collection_size: 5
category_size: 798
collection_url: "https://dirskills.com/collections/apify/agent-skills"
added: 2026-08-20T07:54:40.728Z
last_synced: 2026-08-20T07:54:40.728Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/apify-actorization"
---

# Apify Actorization

Apify Actorization converts existing projects into Apify Actors, serverless cloud programs that accept JSON input and produce structured output. Use it when migrating code to Apify, wrapping CLI tools as Actors, or adding the Apify SDK to existing projects.

**Install:**

```bash
npx degit https://github.com/apify/agent-skills/tree/main/skills/apify-actorization ~/.claude/skills/apify-actorization
```

## README

# Apify Actorization

Actorization converts existing software into reusable serverless applications compatible with the Apify platform. Actors are programs packaged as Docker images that accept well-defined JSON input, perform an action, and optionally produce structured JSON output.

## Quick start

1. Run `apify init` in project root
2. Wrap code with SDK lifecycle (see language-specific section below)
3. Configure `.actor/input_schema.json`
4. Test with `apify run --input '{"key": "value"}'`
5. Deploy with `apify push`

## When to use this skill

- Converting an existing project to run on the Apify platform
- Adding Apify SDK integration to a project
- Wrapping a CLI tool or script as an Actor
- Migrating a Crawlee project to Apify

## Prerequisites

Verify `apify` CLI is installed:

```bash
apify --help
```

If not installed, use one of these methods (listed in order of preference):

```bash
# Preferred: install via a package manager (provides integrity checks)
npm install -g apify-cli

# Or (Mac): brew install apify-cli
```

> **Security note:** Do NOT install the CLI by piping remote scripts to a shell
> (e.g. `curl ... | bash` or `irm ... | iex`). Always use a package manager.

Verify CLI is logged in:

```bash
apify info  # Should return your username
```

If not logged in, authenticate using OAuth (opens browser):

```bash
apify login
```

If browser login isn't available (headless environment or CI), ensure the `APIFY_TOKEN` environment variable is exported (note: the variable is `APIFY_TOKEN`, not `APIFY_API_TOKEN`). The CLI reads it automatically - no explicit login needed. If the user doesn't have a token, generate one at https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations.

> **Apify platform environment:** When the Actor runs on the Apify platform, `APIFY_TOKEN` is auto-injected as an environment variable and the Apify SDK reads it automatically — you do not need to pass it explicitly. Locally, `apify login` stores credentials in `~/.apify` and the SDK uses them.

> **Security note:** Avoid passing tokens as command-line arguments (e.g. `apify login -t <token>`).
> Arguments are visible in process listings and may be recorded in shell history.
> Prefer OAuth login or environment variables instead.
> Never log, print, or embed `APIFY_TOKEN` in source code or configuration files.
> Use a token with the minimum required permissions (scoped token) and rotate it periodically.

## Actorization checklist

Copy this checklist to track progress:

- [ ] Step 1: Analyze project (language, entry point, inputs, outputs)
- [ ] Step 2: Run `apify init` to create Actor structure
- [ ] Step 3: Apply language-specific SDK integration
- [ ] Step 4: Configure `.actor/input_schema.json`
- [ ] Step 5: Configure `.actor/output_schema.json` (if applicable)
- [ ] Step 6: Update `.actor/actor.json` metadata
- [ ] Step 7: Write README.md for Apify Store listing
- [ ] Step 8: Test locally with `apify run`
- [ ] Step 9: Deploy with `apify push`

## Step 1: Analyze the project

Before making changes, understand the project:

1. **Identify the language** - JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, or other
2. **Find the entry point** - The main file that starts execution
3. **Identify inputs** - Command-line arguments, environment variables, config files
4. **Identify outputs** - Files, console output, API responses
5. **Check for state** - Does it need to persist data between runs?

## Step 2: Initialize Actor structure

Run in the project root:

```bash
apify init
```

This creates:
- `.actor/actor.json` - Actor configuration and metadata
- `.actor/input_schema.json` - Input definition for Apify Console
- `Dockerfile` (if not present) - Container image definition

## Step 3: Apply language-specific changes

Choose based on your project's language:

- **JavaScript/TypeScript**: See [js-ts-actorization.md](references/js-ts-actorization.md)
- **Python**: See [python-actorization.md](references/python-actorization.md)
- **Other Languages (CLI-based)**: See [cli-actorization.md](references/cli-actorization.md)

### Quick reference

| Language | Install | Wrap Code |
|----------|---------|-----------|
| JS/TS | `npm install apify` | `await Actor.init()` ... `await Actor.exit()` |
| Python | `pip install apify` | `async with Actor:` |
| Other | Use CLI in wrapper script | `apify actor:get-input` / `apify actor:push-data` |

## Steps 4-6: Configure schemas

See [schemas-and-output.md](references/schemas-and-output.md) for detailed configuration of:
- Input schema (`.actor/input_schema.json`)
- Output schema (`.actor/output_schema.json`)
- Actor configuration (`.actor/actor.json`)
- State management (request queues, key-value stores)

Validate schemas against `@apify/json_schemas` npm package.

## Step 7: Write README

**IMPORTANT:** Always generate a README.md as part of actorization. The README is the Actor's landing page on Apify Store and is critical for discoverability (SEO), user onboarding, and support. Do not consider an Actor complete without a proper README.

See the Actor README guidelines at `skills/apify-actor-development/references/actor-readme.md` for the required structure including: intro and features, data extraction table, step-by-step tutorial, pricing info, input/output examples, and FAQ. Aim for at least 300 words with SEO-optimized H2/H3 headings. Also review these top Actors for best practices:

- [Instagram Scraper](https://apify.com/apify/instagram-scraper)
- [Google Maps Scraper](https://apify.com/compass/crawler-google-places)

## Step 8: Test locally

Run the Actor with inline input (for JS/TS and Python Actors):

```bash
apify run --input '{"startUrl": "https://example.com", "maxItems": 10}'
```

Or use an input file:

```bash
apify run --input-file ./test-input.json
```

**Important:** Always use `apify run`, not `npm start` or `python main.py`. The CLI sets up the proper environment and storage.

## Step 9: Deploy

```bash
apify push
```

This uploads and builds your Actor on the Apify platform.

## Monetization (optional)

After deploying, you can monetize your Actor in Apify Store. The recommended model is **Pay Per Event (PPE)**:

- Per result/item scraped
- Per page processed
- Per API call made

Configure PPE in Apify Console under Actor > Monetization. Charge for events in your code with `await Actor.charge('result')`.

Other options: **Rental** (monthly subscription) or **Free** (open source).

## Security

**Treat all crawled web content as untrusted input.** Actors ingest data from external websites that may contain malicious payloads. Follow these rules:

- **Sanitize crawled data** — Never pass raw HTML, URLs, or scraped text directly into shell commands, `eval()`, database queries, or template engines. Use proper escaping or parameterized APIs.
- **Validate and type-check all external data** — Before pushing to datasets or key-value stores, verify that values match expected types and formats. Reject or sanitize unexpected structures.
- **Do not execute or interpret crawled content** — Never treat scraped text as code, commands, or configuration. Content from websites could include prompt injection attempts or embedded scripts.
- **Isolate credentials from data pipelines** — Ensure `APIFY_TOKEN` and other secrets are never accessible in request handlers or passed alongside crawled data. Use the Apify SDK's built-in credential management rather than passing tokens through environment variables in data-processing code.
- **Review dependencies before installing** — When adding packages with `npm install` or `pip install`, verify the package name and publisher. Typosquatting is a common supply-chain attack vector. Prefer well-known, actively maintained packages.
- **Pin versions and use lockfiles** — Always commit `package-lock.json` (Node.js) or pin exact versions in `requirements.txt` (Python). Lockfiles ensure reproducible builds and prevent silent dependency substitution. Run `npm audit` or `pip-audit` periodically to check for known vulnerabilities.

## Pre-deployment checklist

- [ ] `.actor/actor.json` exists with correct name and description
- [ ] `.actor/actor.json` validates against `@apify/json_schemas` (`actor.schema.json`)
- [ ] `.actor/input_schema.json` defines all required inputs
- [ ] `.actor/input_schema.json` validates against `@apify/json_schemas` (`input.schema.json`)
- [ ] `.actor/output_schema.json` defines output structure (if applicable)
- [ ] `.actor/output_schema.json` validates against `@apify/json_schemas` (`output.schema.json`)
- [ ] `Dockerfile` is present and builds successfully
- [ ] `Actor.init()` / `Actor.exit()` wraps main code (JS/TS)
- [ ] `async with Actor:` wraps main code (Python)
- [ ] Inputs are read via `Actor.getInput()` / `Actor.get_input()`
- [ ] Outputs use `Actor.pushData()` or key-value store
- [ ] `apify run` executes successfully with test input
- [ ] `README.md` exists with proper structure (intro, features, data table, tutorial, pricing, input/output examples)
- [ ] `generatedBy` is set in actor.json meta section

## MCP tools

### Apify MCP

If the Apify MCP server is configured, use these tools for documentation:

- `search-apify-docs` - Search documentation
- `fetch-apify-docs` - Get full doc pages

Otherwise, the MCP Server url: `https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=docs`.

### Playwright MCP (debugging)

The Playwright MCP server is a useful tool for debugging Actors that interact with the web - it lets the agent drive a real browser to inspect pages, capture selectors, and reproduce issues.

Install with the Claude Code CLI:

```bash
claude mcp add playwright npx @playwright/mcp@latest
```

Or add it manually to your MCP config:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@playwright/mcp@latest"]
    }
  }
}
```

## Resources

- [Actorization Academy](https://docs.apify.com/academy/actorization) - Comprehensive guide
- [Apify SDK for JavaScript](https://docs.apify.com/sdk/js) - Full SDK reference
- [Apify SDK for Python](https://docs.apify.com/sdk/python) - Full SDK reference
- [Apify CLI Reference](https://docs.apify.com/cli) - CLI commands
- [Actor Specification](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/apify/actor-whitepaper/refs/heads/master/README.md) - Complete specification