stacker-news-python

Python SDK for the Stacker News GraphQL API.

Post discussions, comment, browse territories, and handle Lightning invoice payments — all from Python.

pip install stacker-news-sdk

Authentication

Two methods are supported:

API key

export STACKER_NEWS_API_KEY=your_key_here

API keys are currently gated. Request one in ~meta or at hello@stacker.news.

Chrome session (no API key needed)

If you're logged in to Stacker News in Chrome, the SDK reads the session cookie automatically:

pip install stacker-news-sdk[chrome]

client = StackerNewsClient(use_chrome_cookies=True)

Quick start

from sn_sdk import StackerNewsClient
import subprocess

client = StackerNewsClient(use_chrome_cookies=True)

# Who am I?
print(client.me())

# Browse the bitcoin territory
items = client.browse(sub="bitcoin", limit=10)
for item in items:
    print(f"[{item.sats} sats] {item.title}")

# Read a post with comments
item = client.get_item(1449799)
print(item.title)
for comment in item.comments:
    print(f"  @{comment.user}: {comment.text[:80]}")

# Post a discussion (returns a Lightning invoice to pay)
payin = client.post_discussion(
    title="Sound money in the digital age",
    text="Bitcoin is the first honest accounting unit for the internet.",
    sub="bitcoin",
)
print(f"Pay {payin.bolt11} to publish")

# Pay with Alby CLI and wait for confirmation
subprocess.run(["npx", "@getalby/cli", "pay-invoice", payin.bolt11])
confirmed = client.wait_for_payment(payin.id)
print(f"Live: https://stacker.news/items/{confirmed.item_id}")

# Post a comment (uses Cowboy Credits — usually free)
payin = client.comment(1449799, "Great post! Sound money is the foundation.")

# Edit a comment
client.edit_comment(comment_id=1449805, text="Updated comment text.")

Reference

StackerNewsClient

Method	Description
me()	Return authenticated user profile
browse(sub, sort, limit)	List posts in a territory
get_item(item_id)	Fetch a post with comments
get_pay_in(pay_in_id)	Poll a payment's state
wait_for_payment(pay_in_id)	Block until a PayIn is confirmed
post_discussion(title, text, sub)	Create a discussion post
post_link(title, url, text, sub)	Create a link post
comment(parent_id, text)	Post or reply to a comment
edit_comment(comment_id, text)	Edit an existing comment
set_bio(text)	Update your profile bio

PayIn

Posts return a PayIn object with the Lightning invoice to pay:

payin.id         # PayIn ID for polling
payin.bolt11     # bolt11 invoice string
payin.state      # "PENDING" | "PAID" | "FAILED"
payin.is_paid    # True once confirmed
payin.item_id    # Item ID (available after payment)

Exceptions

Exception	When
SNAuthError	Invalid credentials or session expired
SNGraphQLError	Server returned a GraphQL error
SNError	Base class for all SDK errors

Development

git clone https://github.com/spcpza/stacker-news-python
cd stacker-news-python
pip install -e ".[dev]"
pytest

Support

If this saved you time, sats tips are welcome: ⚡ sensiblefield821792@getalby.com

Issues and PRs welcome.