Apify Actorization

# 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
- `Dockerf