Apify CLI
Apify CLI is the Apify platform console that creates, runs and deploys Actors and prints a ready SKILL.md for coding agents.
- 264 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- Apache-2.0
Extended access
Why this level
- The CLI runs and publishes code in the Apify cloud under the user's token and can spend paid resources.
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add cli/apify-cliDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
What it sends to the author: what it sends to the author: apify cli collects anonymous usage data to help improve the tool and the apify platform. To turn it off: APIFY_CLI_DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1 in the server environment.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The CLI runs and publishes code in the Apify cloud under the user's token and can spend paid resources.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Apify CLI creates and deploys Actors, which are scraping and automation programs, and manages the Apify platform from a terminal: datasets, key-value stores, request queues and secret variables. An Actor runs locally or in the Apify cloud. The `apify help --skill` command prints a SKILL.md matching the installed CLI version. Save it to `~/.claude/skills/apify-cli/` for Claude Code or `~/.agents/skills/apify-cli/` for Codex and other agents. An `apify mcp install` command is included too.
Who it is for. Developers building Apify Actors who let an agent create, run and publish projects through the CLI.
Good fit when
- An agent scaffolds a new Actor from a template with `apify create`.
- A finished project is pushed with `apify push` and run with `apify call`.
- Secret environment variables of Actors need managing.
- The skill must match the installed CLI version.
Not a fit when
- The task has nothing to do with the Apify platform.
- You only need a ready Actor through MCP: look at the separate Apify MCP.
- Anonymous telemetry is unacceptable: the CLI collects it by default and opting out needs configuration.
Example request
Create an Actor from a template with Apify CLI, run it locally and show the dataset contents.Limitations
Cloud commands need an Apify account and a token through `apify login`. The saved SKILL.md is a snapshot, so repeat `apify help --skill` after upgrading the CLI. The CLI collects anonymous telemetry; disable it with `apify telemetry disable` or the `APIFY_CLI_DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1` variable. The npm install needs Node.js 22 or newer. An Actor runs as a Docker container on the platform, so project language is open, but deployment uses paid Apify resources.
How to disable. Delete `~/.claude/skills/apify-cli` or `~/.agents/skills/apify-cli`, run `apify logout` and uninstall the CLI the way it was installed.
FAQ
How do I get the agent skill?
`apify help --skill` prints a SKILL.md for your CLI version. Redirect the output into the agent's skills directory.
Where should the Codex skill go?
Codex loads skills from `.agents/skills` per repo or `~/.agents/skills` per user. Place `apify-cli/SKILL.md` there.
Is an Apify account required?
For cloud runs, yes: take the token from the console and enter it with `apify login`. The local `apify run` needs no account.
How do I turn telemetry off?
Run `apify telemetry disable` or set `APIFY_CLI_DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1`.
Does the CLI have an MCP command?
Yes, `apify mcp install` ships with it. See the command reference at docs.apify.com/cli for details.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apify CLI (this card) | no | 264 | ||
| Apify MCP Server | yes | OAuth | 14,914 | gives an agent ready Actors through MCP; Apify CLI creates, runs and deploys your own |
| Apify Agent Skills | no | 2,491 | a set of task skills for Apify; Apify CLI prints one skill matching the installed CLI version |
README in short
The README lists CLI features, ways to get the agent skill and install options for macOS, Linux, Windows and npm. A command table points to the full reference.