pycraigslist
A fast and expressive Craigslist API wrapper.
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As of September 2021, it is believed that Craigslist added a rate-limiter. It is advised to throttle requests to Craigslist to prevent a 403 HTTP response status code. View the Exceptions section below to appropriately handle this error if encountered. |
Disclaimer
- I do not work or have an affiliation with Craigslist.
- This library is intended for educational purposes. It is not advised to crawl and download data from Craigslist.
Installation
pip install pycraigslist
Quick Start
Find cars & trucks for sale with keyword "Mazda Miata" in the East Bay Area, California:
>> {'country': 'US', 'region': 'CA', 'site': 'sfbay', 'area': 'eby', 'category': 'cto', 'id': '7291715564', 'repost_of': '', 'last_updated': '2021-03-15 09:06', 'title': '1990 Mazda Miata', 'neighborhood': 'oakland lake merritt / grand', 'price': '$5,000', 'url': 'https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/oakland-1990-mazda-miata/7291715564.html'} # ... ">
import pycraigslist miatas = pycraigslist.forsale.cta(site="sfbay", area="eby", query="Mazda Miata") for miata in miatas.search(): print(miata) >>> {'country': 'US', 'region': 'CA', 'site': 'sfbay', 'area': 'eby', 'category': 'cto', 'id': '7291715564', 'repost_of': '', 'last_updated': '2021-03-15 09:06', 'title': '1990 Mazda Miata', 'neighborhood': 'oakland lake merritt / grand', 'price': '$5,000', 'url': 'https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/oakland-1990-mazda-miata/7291715564.html'} # ...
Background
This library is intended to be expressive and easy to use.
pycraigslist classes
pycraigslist.community(craigslist.org > community)pycraigslist.events(craigslist.org > event calendar)pycraigslist.forsale(craigslist.org > for sale)pycraigslist.gigs(craigslist.org > gigs)pycraigslist.housing(craigslist.org > housing)pycraigslist.jobs(craigslist.org > jobs)pycraigslist.resumes(craigslist.org > resumes)pycraigslist.services(craigslist.org > services)
We can search for posts in parent classes. For example, finding paid gigs in Portland, Oregon:
>> {'country': 'US', 'region': 'OR', 'site': 'portland', 'area': 'mlt', 'category': 'lbg', 'id': '7295392821', 'repost_of': '7292985211', 'last_updated': '2021-03-22 13:00', 'title': 'Packing and moving', 'neighborhood': 'SE Portland', 'price': '', 'url': 'https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/lbg/d/portland-packing-and-moving/7295392821.html'} # ... ">
import pycraigslist paid_gigs = pycraigslist.gigs(site="portland", is_paid=True) for gig in paid_gigs.search(): print(gig) >>> {'country': 'US', 'region': 'OR', 'site': 'portland', 'area': 'mlt', 'category': 'lbg', 'id': '7295392821', 'repost_of': '7292985211', 'last_updated': '2021-03-22 13:00', 'title': 'Packing and moving', 'neighborhood': 'SE Portland', 'price': '', 'url': 'https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/lbg/d/portland-packing-and-moving/7295392821.html'} # ...
pycraigslist subclasses
Most pycraigslist classes have subclasses to allow for categorical searches. For example:
pycraigslist.forsale.bia(craigslist.org > for sale > bikes)pycraigslist.forsale.cta(craigslist.org > for sale > cars & trucks)pycraigslist.housing.apa(craigslist.org > housing > apartments / housing for rent)pycraigslist.housing.roo(craigslist.org > housing > apartments / rooms & shares)
Finding pycraigslist subclasses
Use class method .get_categories() to search for subclasses. The resulting keys are the subclass names.
import pycraigslist
print(pycraigslist.housing.get_categories())
>>> {'apa': 'apartments / housing for rent',
'swp': 'housing swap',
'off': 'office & commercial',
'prk': 'parking & storage',
'rea': 'real estate',
'reb': 'real estate - by dealer',
'reo': 'real estate - by owner',
'roo': 'rooms & shares',
'sub': 'sublets & temporary',
'vac': 'vacation rentals',
'hou': 'wanted: apts',
'rew': 'wanted: real estate',
'sha': 'wanted: room/share',
'sbw': 'wanted: sublet/temp'}
We'd choose pycraigslist.housing.vac if we're interested in searching for vacation rentals.
Finding and using filters
We can apply filters to our search. Use .get_filters() to find valid filters for a class or subclass instance.
Search filters are sensitive to the context of the pycraigslist instance and the language of the region. For example, here are applicable filters for cars & trucks for sale in Tokyo, Japan:
>> {'query': '...', 'search_titles': 'True/False', 'has_image': 'True/False', 'posted_today': 'True/False', 'bundle_duplicates': 'True/False', 'search_distance': '...', 'zip_code': '...', 'min_price': '...', 'max_price': '...', 'make_model': '...', 'min_year': '...', 'max_year': '...', 'min_miles': '...', 'max_miles': '...', 'min_engine_displacement': '...', 'max_engine_displacement': '...', 'condition': ['新品', 'ほぼ新品', '美品', '良品', '使用に問題なし', 'サルベージ'], 'auto_cylinders': ['3気筒', '4気筒', '5気筒', '6気筒', '8気筒', '10気筒', '12気筒', 'その他'], 'auto_drivetrain': ['前輪', '後輪', '4WD'], 'auto_fuel_type': ['ガソリン', 'ディーゼル', 'ハイブリッド', '電気', 'その他'], 'auto_paint': ['ブラック', 'ブルー', 'ブラウン', 'グリーン', 'グレー', 'オレンジ', 'パープル', 'レッド', 'シルバー', 'ホワイト', 'イエロー', 'カスタム'], 'auto_size': ['コンパクト', 'フルサイズ', '中型', 'サブコンパクト'], 'auto_title_status': ['クリーン', 'サルベージ', '再生', '部品のみ', '先取特権', '不明'], 'auto_transmission': ['MT', 'AT', 'その他'], 'auto_bodytype': ['バス', 'コンバーチブル', 'クーペ', 'ハッチバック', 'ミニバン', 'オフロード', 'ピックアップ', 'セダン', 'トラック', 'SUV', 'ワゴン', 'バン', 'その他'], 'language': ['afrikaans', 'català', 'dansk', 'deutsch', 'english', 'español', 'suomi', 'français', 'italiano', 'nederlands', 'norsk', 'português', 'svenska', 'filipino', 'türkçe', '中文', 'العربية', '日本語', '한국말', 'русский', 'tiếng việt']} ">
import pycraigslist tokyo_autos = pycraigslist.forsale.cta(site="tokyo") print(tokyo_autos.get_filters()) >>> {'query': '...', 'search_titles': 'True/False', 'has_image': 'True/False', 'posted_today': 'True/False', 'bundle_duplicates': 'True/False', 'search_distance': '...', 'zip_code': '...', 'min_price': '...', 'max_price': '...', 'make_model': '...', 'min_year': '...', 'max_year': '...', 'min_miles': '...', 'max_miles': '...', 'min_engine_displacement': '...', 'max_engine_displacement': '...', 'condition': ['新品', 'ほぼ新品', '美品', '良品', '使用に問題なし', 'サルベージ'], 'auto_cylinders': ['3気筒', '4気筒', '5気筒', '6気筒', '8気筒', '10気筒', '12気筒', 'その他'], 'auto_drivetrain': ['前輪', '後輪', '4WD'], 'auto_fuel_type': ['ガソリン', 'ディーゼル', 'ハイブリッド', '電気', 'その他'], 'auto_paint': ['ブラック', 'ブルー', 'ブラウン', 'グリーン', 'グレー', 'オレンジ', 'パープル', 'レッド', 'シルバー', 'ホワイト', 'イエロー', 'カスタム'], 'auto_size': ['コンパクト', 'フルサイズ', '中型', 'サブコンパクト'], 'auto_title_status': ['クリーン', 'サルベージ', '再生', '部品のみ', '先取特権', '不明'], 'auto_transmission': ['MT', 'AT', 'その他'], 'auto_bodytype': ['バス', 'コンバーチブル', 'クーペ', 'ハッチバック', 'ミニバン', 'オフロード', 'ピックアップ', 'セダン', 'トラック', 'SUV', 'ワゴン', 'バン', 'その他'], 'language': ['afrikaans', 'català', 'dansk', 'deutsch', 'english', 'español', 'suomi', 'français', 'italiano', 'nederlands', 'norsk', 'português', 'svenska', 'filipino', 'türkçe', '中文', 'العربية', '日本語', '한국말', 'русский', 'tiếng việt']}
To find cars & trucks with clean titles, we'd use the filter parameter "クリーン" (pronounced 'koo-lean'):
>> {'country': 'JP', 'region': '', 'site': 'tokyo', 'area': '', 'category': 'cto', 'id': '7301105503', 'repost_of': '', 'last_updated': '2021-04-03 14:04', 'title': 'Suzuki Jimny 660 XG 4WD Keyless Entry Aluminum Wheel Non-Smoking Car', 'neighborhood': 'Chiba Ken, Noda shi, Funakata 1630-1', 'price': '¥650,000', 'url': 'https://tokyo.craigslist.org/cto/d/suzuki-jimny-660-xg-4wd-keyless-entry/7301105503.html'} # ... ">
import pycraigslist tokyo_autos = pycraigslist.forsale.cta(site="tokyo", auto_title_status="クリーン") for auto in tokyo_autos.search(): print(auto) >>> {'country': 'JP', 'region': '', 'site': 'tokyo', 'area': '', 'category': 'cto', 'id': '7301105503', 'repost_of': '', 'last_updated': '2021-04-03 14:04', 'title': 'Suzuki Jimny 660 XG 4WD Keyless Entry Aluminum Wheel Non-Smoking Car', 'neighborhood': 'Chiba Ken, Noda shi, Funakata 1630-1', 'price': '¥650,000', 'url': 'https://tokyo.craigslist.org/cto/d/suzuki-jimny-660-xg-4wd-keyless-entry/7301105503.html'} # ...
When applying many filters, pass a dictionary of filters into the filters keyword parameter. Note: keyword argument filters will override filters if there are conflicting keys. For example:
import pycraigslist
bike_filters = {
"bicycle_frame_material": "steel",
# array of filter values are accepted
"bicycle_wheel_size": ["650C", "700C"],
"bicycle_type": "road",
}
# we'd still get titanium road bikes with size 650C or 700C wheels
titanium_bikes = pycraigslist.forsale.bia(
site="sfbay", area="sfc", bicycle_frame_material="titanium", filters=bike_filters
)
Searching for posts
General search
To search for Craigslist posts, use .search(). .search() will return a dictionary of post attributes (type str) and will search for every post by default. Use the limit keyword parameter to add a stop limit to a query. For example, use limit=50 to get 50 posts. There is a maximum of 3000 posts per query.
Find the first 20 posts for farming and gardening services in Denver, Colorado:
>> {'country': 'US', 'region': 'CO', 'site': 'denver', 'area': '', 'category': 'fgs', 'id': '7301324564', 'repost_of': '6974119634', 'last_updated': '2021-04-03 11:47', 'title': '🌲 Tree Removal/Trimming, Stump Grind: LICENSED/INSURED! 720-605-1584', 'neighborhood': 'All Areas', 'price': '', 'url': 'https://denver.craigslist.org/fgs/d/littleton-tree-removal-trimming-stump/7301324564.html'} # ... ">
import pycraigslist gardening_services = pycraigslist.services.fgs(site="denver") for service in gardening_services.search(limit=20): print(service) >>> {'country': 'US', 'region': 'CO', 'site': 'denver', 'area': '', 'category': 'fgs', 'id': '7301324564', 'repost_of': '6974119634', 'last_updated': '2021-04-03 11:47', 'title': '🌲 Tree Removal/Trimming, Stump Grind: LICENSED/INSURED! 720-605-1584', 'neighborhood': 'All Areas', 'price': '', 'url': 'https://denver.craigslist.org/fgs/d/littleton-tree-removal-trimming-stump/7301324564.html'} # ...
Detailed search
Use .search_detail() to get detailed Craigslist posts. The limit keyword parameter in .search also applies to .search_detail. Set include_body=True to include the post's body in the output. By default, include_body=False. Disclaimer: .search_detail is more time consuming than .search.
Get detailed posts with the post body for all cars & trucks for sale in Abilene, Texas:
>> {'country': 'US', 'region': 'TX', 'site': 'abilene', 'area': '', 'category': 'cto', 'id': '7309894792', 'repost_of': '', 'last_updated': '2021-04-20 12:17', 'title': '2009 Mercedes GL-320', 'neighborhood': 'Brownwood', 'price': '$12,000', 'url': 'https://abilene.craigslist.org/cto/d/brownwood-2009-mercedes-gl-320/7309894792.html', 'lat': '31.729000', 'lon': '-99.019000', 'address': '', 'misc': ['2009 mercedes-benz gl-class'], 'condition': 'excellent', 'drive': 'fwd', 'fuel': 'diesel', 'odometer': '100700', 'paint_color': 'black', 'title_status': 'clean', 'transmission': 'automatic', 'body': 'BEAUTIFUL car inside and out!! Diesel with only 100k, mechanic says its in great condition.'} # ... ">
import pycraigslist all_autos = pycraigslist.forsale.cta(site="abilene") for auto in all_autos.search_detail(include_body=True): print(auto) >>> {'country': 'US', 'region': 'TX', 'site': 'abilene', 'area': '', 'category': 'cto', 'id': '7309894792', 'repost_of': '', 'last_updated': '2021-04-20 12:17', 'title': '2009 Mercedes GL-320', 'neighborhood': 'Brownwood', 'price': '$12,000', 'url': 'https://abilene.craigslist.org/cto/d/brownwood-2009-mercedes-gl-320/7309894792.html', 'lat': '31.729000', 'lon': '-99.019000', 'address': '', 'misc': ['2009 mercedes-benz gl-class'], 'condition': 'excellent', 'drive': 'fwd', 'fuel': 'diesel', 'odometer': '100700', 'paint_color': 'black', 'title_status': 'clean', 'transmission': 'automatic', 'body': 'BEAUTIFUL car inside and out!! Diesel with only 100k, mechanic says its in great condition.'} # ...
Additional attributes
__doc__: Gets category name.url: Gets full URL.count: Gets number of posts.
>> 'apartments / housing for rent' # 2 print(east_bay_apa.url) >>> 'https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/eby/apa?searchNearby=1&s=0&max_price=800' # 3 print(east_bay_apa.count) >>> 56 ">
import pycraigslist east_bay_apa = pycraigslist.housing.apa(site="sfbay", area="eby", max_price=800) # 1 print(east_bay_apa.__doc__) >>> 'apartments / housing for rent' # 2 print(east_bay_apa.url) >>> 'https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/eby/apa?searchNearby=1&s=0&max_price=800' # 3 print(east_bay_apa.count) >>> 56
Exceptions
pycraigslist has the following exceptions:
ConnectionError: exceeded maximum retries for a queryHTTPError: encountered a client or server errorInvalidFilterValue: filter is not recognized or has an invalid value
To use pycraigslist exceptions, import / import from pycraigslist.exceptions. For example:
import pycraigslist
from pycraigslist.exceptions import ConnectionError, HTTPError, InvalidFilterValue
try:
sf_bikes = pycraigslist.forsale.bia(site="sfbay", area="sfc", min_price=50)
for bike in sf_bikes.search():
print(bike)
except ConnectionError:
print("Yikes! Something's up with the network.")
except HTTPError as e:
print(f"Bad HTTP response encountered: {e.status_code} {e.detail}")
except InvalidFilterValue as e:
print(f"Craigslist filter validation failed. Filter: '{e.name}', Value: '{e.value}'")
Contribute
Support
If you are having issues or would like to propose a new feature, please use the issues tracker.
License
The project is licensed under the MIT license.
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