Pipes

What Pipes is

Pipes is a visual editor for creating feeds by connecting blocks that fetch and manipulate information. It accepts RSS, Atom, and JSON feeds, plus HTML documents and plain text files. Blocks can filter, extract, merge, sort, and otherwise transform feed data; data blocks also work with XML and JSON and support JSONPath-style field selection. Pipes made only with feed blocks return RSS by default. Those using data blocks default to XML, with JSON available by adding `json` to the feed URL. The Feed block connects to services including Vimeo, Dailymotion, Periscope, Mixcloud, Reddit, SVT Play, Speedrun.com, and YouTube. Users can publish pipes with descriptions and tags so others can find, like, or fork them. Anyone who knows a pipe’s randomized output URL can access its feed. The hosted service has a free plan limited to three pipes with a shorter timeout; paid plans start at $5 a month. Pipes CE is a free, AGPL-licensed version for local self-hosting. Webhook data is erased after an hour, and the endpoint is limited to five requests per minute.

Who it suits

Pipes suits people who want to build or transform feeds through a visual, block-based interface. It offers both a hosted web service and a free self-hosted version for local use.

Limits

The Free plan costs nothing and allows 3 pipes with a shorter pipe timeout. Webhook data is erased after an hour, and the endpoint accepts up to 5 requests per minute.

Getting started

1. Visit https://www.pipes.digital/
2. Create a pipe by connecting visual blocks
3. Add RSS, Atom, JSON, HTML, or plain-text inputs
4. Choose feed or data blocks and configure transformations
5. Publish the pipe with a description and tags
6. Use Pipes CE locally if you want the AGPL open-source version

Verdict

Pipes offers a visual way to assemble feed workflows, with multiple input and output formats and a free local version. Consider the hosted plan’s pipe and timeout limits, as well as the public accessibility of output feeds by URL.