ScreenshotMachine’s official material documents an HTTP screenshot API called from a shell with curl; it does not document a separate ScreenshotMachine CLI executable. You can run that documented API request in a GitHub Actions workflow, save the returned image as an artifact, and keep the customer key in an Actions secret. The example below adapts ScreenshotMachine’s API request for a workflow; it is not a vendor-published or verified GitHub Action.
Set up the workflow
- In your GitHub repository, open Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions, choose New repository secret, and create
SCREENSHOTMACHINE_KEYwith your ScreenshotMachine customer key. GitHub explains how workflow variables and environment values are configured in its variables documentation. - Create
.github/workflows/screenshot.ymlin the repository and add the workflow below. It can be started manually from the repository’s Actions tab.
name: Capture website screenshot
on:
workflow_dispatch:
jobs:
screenshot:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- name: Request screenshot
env:
SCREENSHOTMACHINE_KEY: ${{ secrets.SCREENSHOTMACHINE_KEY }}
run: |
set -eu
curl -fGs "https://api.screenshotmachine.com"
--data-urlencode "key=$SCREENSHOTMACHINE_KEY"
--data-urlencode "url=https://example.com"
--data-urlencode "dimension=1366x768"
--data-urlencode "device=desktop"
--data-urlencode "format=png"
--data-urlencode "cacheLimit=0"
--data-urlencode "delay=2000"
--data-urlencode "zoom=100"
--output screenshot.png
- name: Upload screenshot
uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
with:
name: website-screenshot
path: screenshot.pngThe curl command sends a GET request to ScreenshotMachine and writes its response body to screenshot.png. The upload step makes that file available as a workflow artifact after the job completes. The vendor documents the API request and file-output pattern, while GitHub documents workflow syntax and shell steps; this combined YAML is an adapted example, not a claim that the vendor has tested it. See GitHub’s workflow syntax reference.
Adjust the screenshot request
The API example requires key and url. The other parameters below appear in ScreenshotMachine’s documented sample; check its current API reference before relying on accepted values or changing options.
| Parameter | Example value | Effect in this workflow |
|---|---|---|
url |
https://example.com |
Page to capture. Replace it with the target URL. |
key |
$SCREENSHOTMACHINE_KEY |
Account customer key, passed from the Actions secret. |
dimension |
1366x768 |
Requested capture dimensions. The vendor’s example also uses 1366xfull for a full-page image; verify accepted values in the current API reference. |
device |
desktop |
Device setting shown in the vendor example. |
format |
png |
Image format shown in the vendor example. Keep the filename extension aligned with the requested format. |
cacheLimit |
0 |
Cache option shown in the vendor example. |
delay |
2000 |
Delay option shown in the vendor example. |
zoom |
100 |
Zoom option shown in the vendor example. |
All values other than key and url can be omitted or changed to suit the capture, subject to the API’s currently accepted options. --data-urlencode safely encodes parameter values, including URLs with query strings.
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Keep the key and output safe
- Do not put the customer key directly in the YAML, repository, command text, or a logged
echo. The environment mapping scopes it to the request step. - Use a secret at the appropriate repository or organization level for your project. Do not expose secrets to untrusted pull-request workflows; GitHub restricts secret availability in some forked pull-request contexts.
- Use a URL you are permitted to capture. The requested page may contain private or sensitive information, and the resulting artifact can be accessed by people with repository permissions.
- The example uploads the generated image as an artifact. If you only need the file during the job, omit the upload step and add later steps that consume
screenshot.png.
Choose curl or a language script
For a single request, curl keeps the workflow short and makes request options visible in YAML. A Python or other language script is useful when the URL, output naming, retries, or downstream processing need program logic. ScreenshotMachine’s official material includes API examples and language sample repositories, but the available sources do not establish current SDK package versions or a vendor-maintained GitHub Action. The request endpoint and parameters still need to follow the API reference.
Troubleshoot failed captures
- curl exits with an HTTP error:
-fmakes curl return a failure status for an HTTP error, so GitHub marks the step failed. Check that the secret is configured under the correct repository or organization, that the key is valid, and that the target URL is reachable. - The secret appears empty: Confirm the workflow references the exact secret name,
SCREENSHOTMACHINE_KEY, and that the secret exists for this repository. Secrets are not necessarily available to workflows triggered from untrusted forks. - The file is missing or empty: Check the preceding curl step’s result and response status before attempting artifact upload. Because output is written directly to a file, a failed request should stop the step rather than produce a useful screenshot.
- The page is incomplete or visually different: Review the target URL and the request’s dimensions, device, delay, and zoom settings. A delay may help with pages that render content after initial load, but the vendor material cited here does not specify a guaranteed rendering time for any particular site.
- The image format and filename disagree: Keep
formatand the output extension consistent, then inspect the resulting file if an image viewer cannot open it.
Or skip the browser setup
ScreenshotNeo is a screenshot API and MCP server for developers. Its one-call request can save a screenshot without setting up a browser in the workflow. Cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets are removed before the shot; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. The free plan includes 1,000 shots a month with no card, and paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots.
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com -o shot.webpSee the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. ScreenshotNeo also supports PNG, JPEG, WebP, and PDF output, with options for full-page capture, selectors, device sizes, and more. Sign up for ScreenshotNeo’s free plan to get 1,000 screenshots a month with no card.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official ScreenshotMachine CLI for GitHub Actions?
The official material cited here documents an HTTP API and a curl shell example, not a standalone CLI executable.
Can I trigger the workflow automatically instead of manually?
Yes. GitHub Actions supports additional workflow triggers; consult the workflow syntax reference and add the trigger that fits your repository process.
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