The Tool Desk
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Build a cURL request that matches the API
For a GET API that accepts a target URL as a query parameter, use --data-urlencode so punctuation in the destination URL—especially its own ? and & characters—is encoded as part of that value.
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export SCREENSHOT_API_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"
curl --fail-with-body --get 'https://PROVIDER.example/v1/screenshot'
--header "Authorization: Bearer $SCREENSHOT_API_KEY"
--data-urlencode 'url=https://example.com/page?campaign=summer&view=full'
--data-urlencode 'format=png'
--output screenshot.pngThis is a pattern, not a universal endpoint or schema. Replace the host, path, authentication, and option names with the provider’s documented values. Use --output for an image file only when successful responses contain raw image bytes. If the API returns JSON, this command saves JSON under a misleading image filename.
For a JSON POST API, follow its documented body and confirm whether the result is an image, a URL, or JSON before choosing how to save it. --fail-with-body makes cURL return an error for HTTP failure responses while retaining the response body for inspection; it is available in cURL 7.76 and later.
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Check authentication and protect the key
Use the provider’s documented authentication mechanism. When a service supports API-key headers, prefer one over putting the key in the URL: URLs can be recorded in shell history, logs, or monitoring systems. Keep the credential in an environment variable or secret manager, and do not commit a live key to source control. Header names are provider-specific; do not assume every service accepts Bearer authentication.
Know what the response contains
Before saving or processing a response, inspect the HTTP status and content type. The provider’s API reference should say whether success returns bytes directly, JSON, or a redirect. A filename extension does not convert the response into an image.
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- Image bytes: Save directly with
--output screenshot.pngonly when the successful response is an image and the selected format matches. - JSON: Parse the response to obtain its image URL or other result, then make a second request if necessary.
- Redirect: Follow the provider’s documented redirect behavior; check whether the response needs cURL’s redirect option and whether the redirect target is temporary.
Provider-specific examples and differences
These examples illustrate why the provider’s own API reference matters. They are documented request patterns, not results from live testing.
Screenshot API
Screenshot API’s documentation describes a POST route at /api/v1/screenshot using Bearer authentication and a JSON body. Its documented options include url, viewport, format, fullPage, and blockAds. The docs list PNG, JPEG, WebP, and PDF formats, as well as viewport dimensions, selector capture, waits, and delays. Advanced settings such as CSS, JavaScript, hidden selectors, geolocation, and PDF configuration are POST-only. These parameter names belong to that API; they are not shared standards.
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For its GET route, the documentation says JSON is returned by default and redirect=1 requests a redirect to the image or PDF. Its POST example also describes obtaining bytes through the returned CDN URL or redirect. Do not assume that saving a POST response directly as a PNG will work; follow the documented response path.
The same documentation lists provider-specific errors including 401 for authentication, 400 for invalid requests, 429 for rate or quota limits, and 502 for render failures. It also describes quota and rate headers. These codes and headers may change, so check the current API reference when implementing error handling.
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- Automatic Light Adjustment - Automatic exposure adjustment is applied in EMEET HD webcam 1080p so that the streaming webcam can deliver stable image performance. EMEET C960 camera for computer also features color adjustment and exposure optimization to help you look your best. For optimal video quality, it is recommended to use the webcam in normal or well-lit environments and select suitable video settings in your application. Proper lighting helps achieve a clearer and more balanced image.
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- High Compatibility & Multi Application - C960 webcam for laptop is compatible with Windows 10/11, macOS 10.14+, and Android TV 7.0+. Not supported: Windows Hello, TVs, tablets, or game consoles. It works with Zoom, Teams, Facetime, Google Meet, YouTube and more. Please select C960 webcam as the default camera and microphone device in your application and ensure camera/microphone permissions are enabled, especially on macOS. (Tips: Incompatible with Windows Hello)
OpenGraph.io
OpenGraph.io’s screenshot documentation uses a GET endpoint whose target URL is an encoded path segment: https://opengraph.io/api/1.1/screenshot/{encoded_url}?app_id=YOUR_APP_ID. It requires an app_id and documents options including format, quality, full-page mode, dimensions, selector, exclusions, dark mode, proxy use, and capture delay. Its example response is JSON containing a screenshotUrl, rather than image bytes in the initial response. The documentation says screenshot URLs expire after 24 hours; download or cache an image you need to retain longer.
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Cloudflare’s URL Scanner screenshot endpoint retrieves an image for an existing scan ID. It is not documented as a one-step generic URL-to-screenshot request. The request requires an account ID, scan ID, and API token with an accepted URL Scanner permission; desktop, mobile, or tablet resolution may be selected. Use it when the capture belongs to a URL Scanner workflow.
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Choose capture options deliberately
Screenshot services use different names and support different combinations of options. Check whether each setting is available for your chosen HTTP method and confirm the documented defaults before relying on them.
- Viewport or full page: A viewport capture covers the visible browser area; full-page capture requests a longer page. Dimensions, maximum output size, and full-page behavior vary by provider.
- Format and quality: Request only formats the service supports, and save the response with the corresponding extension. Quality controls may apply only to certain formats.
- Element capture: A CSS selector can focus on one element, but the selector must exist when the service evaluates it. Some APIs also offer exclusion or hide-selector controls.
- Waits and delays: A delay or selector wait can help when a page renders content after navigation. Use the provider’s exact option names and avoid adding long waits without a reason.
- Rendering controls: Dark mode, ad blocking, custom CSS or JavaScript, cookies, headers, and geolocation are not universal features. Verify support and method restrictions in the provider’s docs.
Troubleshoot common failures
- Saved file is JSON or unreadable as an image: The endpoint may return JSON or a redirect rather than image bytes. Inspect the status and content type, parse any image URL, and follow the documented download flow.
- Authentication error: Check that the key is present, active, and sent using the correct header or parameter. Confirm the provider expects the chosen authentication scheme.
- Invalid request: Verify the HTTP method, endpoint, required fields, option spelling, and URL encoding. GET and POST options may differ.
- Rate or quota limit: Check the provider’s error response and any rate or quota headers. Reduce request frequency or address the account limit according to that service’s documentation.
- Render failure or timeout: Confirm the destination URL is reachable by the service and try its documented wait or timeout controls. A failed render is not a valid screenshot.
- Blank, cropped, or incomplete page: Check the requested viewport, full-page setting, target selector, and any wait for dynamically loaded content. A viewport capture can be correct while showing only the visible portion.
- Credential appears in logs: If the provider supports it, move the key from the URL to an authorization header and rotate an exposed key.
Or skip the browser setup
ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. It accepts one GET request for a URL and returns PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF. The API removes cookie and consent banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; each of those cleanup steps can be turned off. Bot checks or CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and the response identifies the page verdict and billing status.
For example, this cURL request saves a WebP screenshot of Stripe:
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curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpSee the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for the endpoint and options. For code in other languages, Python: import requests; r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"}, timeout=90); open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content). Node.js: const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' }); const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);
Its MCP server exposes take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf for AI agents using Claude, Cursor, or another MCP client. The Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 screenshots. Sign up free for 1,000 screenshots a month, with no card required.
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