TorrentClaw

Search movies and TV shows across multiple torrent sources with TMDB metadata enrichment. Detect local torrent clients and start downloads automatically.

Base URL

https://torrentclaw.com

Workflow

Follow these steps when the user asks to find or download a torrent:

Step 1: Detect torrent clients

Run the detection script to check what's available on the user's system:

bash "$(dirname "$0")/scripts/detect-client.sh"

The script outputs JSON with detected clients and OS info. Remember the result for Step 4.

Step 2: Search for content

Query the TorrentClaw API. Always include the x-search-source: skill header for analytics. The API key is optional — anonymous usage allows 30 req/min, which is enough for casual searches. Only include the Authorization header if $TORRENTCLAW_API_KEY is set.

Important: Always use --data-urlencode for user-supplied values to prevent shell injection. Never interpolate user input directly into the URL string.

curl -s -G -H "x-search-source: skill" \
  --data-urlencode "q=QUERY" \
  -d "sort=seeders" -d "limit=5" \
  "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/search"

If the user has configured an API key for higher rate limits:

curl -s -G -H "x-search-source: skill" -H "Authorization: Bearer $TORRENTCLAW_API_KEY" \
  --data-urlencode "q=QUERY" \
  -d "sort=seeders" -d "limit=5" \
  "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/search"

Useful filters (append as query params):

• type=movie or type=show
• quality=1080p (also: 720p, 2160p, 480p)
• genre=Action (see references/api-reference.md for full list)
• year_min=2020&year_max=2025
• min_rating=7
• lang=es (ISO 639 language code)
• audio=atmos (also: aac, flac, opus)
• hdr=dolby_vision (also: hdr10, hdr10plus, hlg)
• season=1 — Filter by TV show season
• episode=5 — Filter by episode number
• locale=es — Get titles in Spanish (also: fr, de, pt, it, ja, ko, zh, ru, ar)
• sort=seeders (also: relevance, year, rating, added)

Step 3: Present results

Display results in a clear table format. For each content item show:

• Title, year, content type
• IMDb rating (or TMDB rating as fallback)
• For each torrent: quality, codec, size (human-readable), seeders

Example format:

1. Inception (2010) - Movie - IMDb: 8.8
   a) 1080p BluRay x265 - 2.1 GB - 847 seeders
   b) 2160p WEB-DL x265 HDR - 8.3 GB - 234 seeders
   c) 720p BluRay x264 - 1.0 GB - 156 seeders

Ask the user which torrent they want.

Step 4: Handle download

Based on the detection from Step 1:

If a torrent client was detected: Offer to add the magnet link directly:

bash "$(dirname "$0")/scripts/add-torrent.sh" "MAGNET_URL"

Or with a specific client and download directory:

bash "$(dirname "$0")/scripts/add-torrent.sh" "MAGNET_URL" --client transmission --download-dir ~/Downloads

If NO torrent client was detected: Offer these options:

1. Copy magnet link — Give the user the full magnetUrl from the API response to copy
2. Download .torrent file — curl -o "filename.torrent" "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/torrent/INFO_HASH"
3. Install a client — Run the install guide script:

bash "$(dirname "$0")/scripts/install-guide.sh" transmission

Recommend Transmission for Linux/macOS (lightweight daemon, simple CLI) and aria2 as alternative (multi-protocol, no daemon needed).

Endpoints

Search — GET /api/v1/search

Main search endpoint. Required: q (query string).

Filters: type (movie/show), genre, year_min, year_max, min_rating (0-10), quality (480p/720p/1080p/2160p), lang (ISO 639), audio (aac/flac/opus/atmos), hdr (hdr10/dolby_vision/hdr10plus/hlg).

Sorting: sort = relevance | seeders | year | rating | added

Pagination: page (1-1000), limit (1-50, default 20)

Response: { total, page, pageSize, results: [{ id, imdbId, tmdbId, contentType, title, year, overview, posterUrl, backdropUrl, genres, ratingImdb, ratingTmdb, contentUrl, hasTorrents, maxSeeders, torrents: [{ infoHash, magnetUrl, torrentUrl, quality, codec, sourceType, sizeBytes, seeders, leechers, source, qualityScore, scrapedAt, uploadedAt, languages, audioCodec, hdrType, releaseGroup, isProper, isRepack, isRemastered, season, episode }] }] }

New fields:

• hasTorrents (boolean) — Whether content has any associated torrents
• maxSeeders (number) — Highest seeder count across all torrents for this content
• scrapedAt (string) — ISO timestamp of last tracker scrape for real-time seeder/leecher counts

Autocomplete — GET /api/v1/autocomplete

Fast typeahead. Param: q (min 2 chars). Returns max 8 suggestions.

Popular — GET /api/v1/popular

Trending content by seeders. Params: limit (1-24, default 12), page.

Recent — GET /api/v1/recent

Recently added content. Params: limit (1-24, default 12), page.

Torrent File — GET /api/v1/torrent/{infoHash}

Download .torrent file by 40-char hex info hash. Returns binary application/x-bittorrent.

Stats — GET /api/v1/stats

Content/torrent counts and recent ingestion history. No params.

Credits — GET /api/v1/content/{id}/credits

Director and top 10 cast members with character names.

Params: id (path, required — content ID from search)

Response: { contentId, director: "name", cast: [{ name, character, profileUrl }] }

Usage: Show cast info when the user asks "who's in this movie?" or wants details about a search result.

Track — POST /api/v1/track

Record user interactions for popularity ranking. Call this after the user selects a torrent.

Request body (JSON):

{"infoHash": "40-char hex", "action": "magnet|torrent_download|copy"}

Response: {"ok": true}

Search Analytics — GET /api/v1/search-analytics

Search volume, top queries, and zero-result queries by period. Requires API key with pro tier.

Params: days (1-90, default 7), limit (1-100, default 20)

Response: { period, summary, topQueries, zeroResultQueries, dailyVolume }

Season & Episode Search

TorrentClaw supports smart episode filtering with multiple formats:

Supported formats:

• S01E05 (standard format)
• 1x05 (alternative format)
• 1x05-1x08 (episode ranges)
• Season 1 Episode 5 (natural language)

Usage:

1. In query text (automatic parsing):

curl -s -G --data-urlencode "q=breaking bad S05E14" \
  "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/search"

2. With explicit parameters:

curl -s -G --data-urlencode "q=breaking bad" \
  -d "season=5" -d "episode=14" \
  "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/search"

The API automatically detects episode patterns in queries and filters results accordingly.

API Authentication

The API works without authentication (30 req/min anonymous tier). An API key is only needed if you require higher rate limits for heavy or automated usage.

Rate Limit Tiers:

Tier	Requests/min	Requests/day	Authentication
Anonymous	30	Unlimited	None
Free	120	1,000	API key required
Pro	1,000	10,000	API key required
Internal	Unlimited	Unlimited	API key required

Using an API key:

Always use the $TORRENTCLAW_API_KEY environment variable via the Authorization header. Avoid passing the key as a query parameter — query strings may be logged in server access logs and HTTP referrer headers.

curl -s -G -H "Authorization: Bearer $TORRENTCLAW_API_KEY" \
  --data-urlencode "q=dune" \
  "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/search"

Rate limit headers in response:

• X-RateLimit-Tier - Your current tier (anonymous/free/pro/internal)
• X-RateLimit-Remaining - Requests remaining in current window

Getting an API key: Contact via https://torrentclaw.com/contact or https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/contact

MCP Server Integration

For users of Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf, TorrentClaw is also available as an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server:

npx @torrentclaw/mcp

MCP vs Skill:

• Skill (this file): For OpenClaw, Claude Code, Cline, Roo Code — natural language interface
• MCP Server: For Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf — structured tools interface
• Both use the same TorrentClaw API backend

See https://torrentclaw.com/mcp for MCP installation and usage.

Common Patterns

Find best quality torrent for a movie: Search with sort=seeders, pick the torrent with highest qualityScore.

Find 4K content: Use quality=2160p filter.

Browse Spanish-language torrents: Use lang=es filter.

Search for a specific TV episode:

curl -s -G --data-urlencode "q=entrevias S01E05" \
  -d "locale=es" \
  "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/search"

Search with API key for higher rate limits:

curl -s -G -H "Authorization: Bearer $TORRENTCLAW_API_KEY" \
  --data-urlencode "q=dune" \
  -d "quality=2160p" \
  "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/search"

Find popular sci-fi movies:

curl -s -G --data-urlencode "genre=Science Fiction" \
  -d "type=movie" -d "sort=seeders" \
  "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/search"

Find Dolby Vision / HDR content:

curl -s -G --data-urlencode "q=dune" \
  -d "hdr=dolby_vision" -d "quality=2160p" \
  "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/search"

Find Atmos audio torrents:

curl -s -G --data-urlencode "q=oppenheimer" \
  -d "audio=atmos" \
  "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/search"

Get cast info for a movie:

curl "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/content/42/credits"

Track torrent selection (call after user picks a torrent):

curl -X POST -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"infoHash":"aaf1e71c...","action":"magnet"}' \
  "https://torrentclaw.com/api/v1/track"

Troubleshooting

Scripts not executable: Run chmod +x scripts/*.sh in the skill directory.

Transmission not detected but installed: Ensure transmission-remote is in PATH. On some systems the package is transmission-cli.

aria2 starts but exits immediately: aria2c in direct mode downloads to current directory. Use --download-dir flag or --daemon mode.

No torrent client detected: Run bash scripts/install-guide.sh transmission to see installation instructions for your OS (Linux, macOS, Windows/WSL).

API key not working:

• Verify the key format: tc_live_ followed by 32 hex characters
• Check the Authorization: Bearer <key> header is correct
• Ensure the key hasn't expired (contact support if needed)
• Check X-RateLimit-Tier header in responses to confirm tier

Rate limits:

• Anonymous: 30 req/min (no auth)
• Free tier: 120 req/min, 1K/day (with API key)
• Pro tier: 1K req/min, 10K/day (with API key)
• If you get 429, wait a moment or use an API key for higher limits

Windows users: Scripts require bash. Use WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) or Git Bash.

Links

• Website: https://torrentclaw.com
• GitHub: https://github.com/torrentclaw/torrentclaw-skill
• OpenAPI Spec: https://torrentclaw.com/api/openapi.json
• Swagger UI: https://torrentclaw.com/api/docs
• MCP Server: https://torrentclaw.com/mcp
• llms.txt: https://torrentclaw.com/llms.txt