public-api-finder

Find and evaluate free/public APIs for projects, demos, agents, prototypes, data enrichment, examples, integrations, or research. Use the simple public-api-finder CLI to choose APIs by category, auth requirements, HTTPS/CORS support, and practical fit before writing integration code.

Use this skill when a task needs a public API candidate. The CLI searches multiple sources: public-api-lists, public-apis, APIs.guru OpenAPI directory, and a curated best-known API layer for common domains like crypto, stocks, weather, maps, jobs, sports, media, news, government, and commerce. Use the CLI first, then live-check docs/endpoints before coding.

Quick command

npx --yes --package=@builtbyecho/public-api-finder -- public-api-finder "weather forecast" --no-auth --https
npx --yes --package=@builtbyecho/public-api-finder -- public-api-finder "crypto prices" --category Cryptocurrency --limit 5
npx --yes --package=@builtbyecho/public-api-finder -- public-api-finder "jobs" --json
npx --yes --package=@builtbyecho/public-api-finder -- public-api-finder "payments" --openapi

If npm is unavailable, use the bundled fallback script:

python3 skills/public-api-finder/scripts/search_public_apis.py "weather forecast" --no-auth --https

Resolve the fallback script path relative to this SKILL.md.

Output to user

Recommend 2-5 APIs. Include:

• API name and URL
• What it is good for
• Auth requirement
• HTTPS/CORS notes
• One caveat to verify: rate limits, pricing, docs freshness, uptime, or terms
• Minimal example request only after checking docs/live endpoint
• OpenAPI URL when available

Heuristics

Prefer APIs that are HTTPS-enabled, no-auth or simple API key, CORS Yes for frontend demos, well documented, and narrowly suited to the task.

The curated list is not a production-readiness guarantee. Always verify before building around an API.

Vaultline integration

If API research output will be reused, store it in Vaultline as a durable artifact rather than leaving it in transient chat history.

node -e '
const { Vaultline } = require("@builtbyecho/vaultline-sdk");
const content = JSON.stringify({
  query: "weather forecast",
  pickedApis: [
    { name: "Open-Meteo", url: "https://open-meteo.com/" }
  ],
  notes: "No auth, HTTPS, good for quick prototype."
}, null, 2);
const vault = new Vaultline({ apiKey: process.env.VAULTLINE_API_KEY });
vault.files.upload({
  path: `api-research/${Date.now()}-weather-apis.json`,
  content,
  contentType: "application/json"
}).then(r => console.log("Vaultline fileId:", r.fileId));
'

This makes API shortlist evidence easy to share and revisit across agents.