otlite · Web and records
Install Auto Archiver on Linux or macOS in one command
Auto Archiver saves a copy of what a URL points to, from social media posts and videos to plain pages. Each saved file gets a hash so you can show later that it has not changed, and runs can be logged to CSV or Google Sheets.
Auto Archiver in three lines
pipx install otlite
otlite install auto-archiver
otlite run auto-archiver -- url:https://example.comRuns bellingcat/auto-archiver (MIT, ★ 1.1k, otlite 1.2.1, catalog updated Oct 23, 2026). otlite installs and runs it at a tested version; it does not change or verify the tool itself.
What Auto Archiver is for
- Preserving posts and videos before they are deleted.
- Building an evidence log with a hash for each archived item.
- Batch archiving from a Google Sheet once credentials are set.
Typed inputs for Auto Archiver
otlite translates these prefixes into Auto Archiver's own flags. Anything else after -- is passed through unchanged, so every original flag still works.
- url:
- URL ·
otlite run auto-archiver -- url:https://example.com
Run every installed tool that takes the same input at once: otlite run --all url:https://example.com
Optional keys: GOOGLE_API_KEY, GOOGLE_CREDENTIALS, AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID, AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY. Store each with otlite keys set NAME. otlite marks it dual-use, so it asks you to accept a responsible-use notice before it installs.
Where the results go
Every run lands under ./results/auto-archiver/<target>/ as a timestamped output file, a .meta.json sidecar (the exact command, start and end time, exit code, and the SHA-256 of the output), and a .envelope.json with the entities found, in the same shape for every tool. List runs with otlite results, group them with --case, compare the last two with otlite diff auto-archiver <target>, and pull indicators out with otlite extract auto-archiver.
Before you run it
- Requires Python below 3.13. Video downloads also need ffmpeg installed on the system.
- Google Sheets or Drive storage needs GOOGLE_CREDENTIALS (otlite keys set GOOGLE_CREDENTIALS), and S3 storage needs the AWS keys. Local storage works without any key.
- It fetches each URL from your machine, so the site sees your IP address. Some platforms only return full content to a logged-in session, set in its config file.
Update, remove, inspect
otlite info auto-archiver # inputs, keys, an example command
otlite example auto-archiver # sample output, where there is one
otlite update auto-archiver # move to the next tested version
otlite remove auto-archiver # delete its virtualenvFull reference: the otlite docs, and the tool's own README on GitHub.
Pairs with
FAQ
Auto Archiver with otlite, answered
How do I install Auto Archiver on Kali, Ubuntu, or macOS?
Install otlite once with pipx install otlite (or the one-line installer on the otlite page), run otlite init, then otlite install auto-archiver. The tool lands in its own virtualenv under ~/.otlite/, pinned to a version that was tested, so nothing touches your system Python. otlite doctor prints the command that fixes a missing git or venv module.
Which inputs does Auto Archiver take through otlite?
url: (url). otlite maps each prefix to Auto Archiver's own flag. Everything after -- that is not a typed input is passed through unchanged, so the original flags still work.
Where does otlite save Auto Archiver results?
Under ./results/auto-archiver/<target>/ in the folder you run from, as a timestamped output file plus a .meta.json sidecar (the exact command, timing, exit code, and SHA-256) and a .envelope.json with the entities found. Add --case <name> to group runs, otlite results to list them, and otlite diff auto-archiver <target> to compare the last two.
Does Auto Archiver need an API key or a login?
No key is required for the basic run. Optional keys, where the project supports them, go in with otlite keys set NAME and are passed only to tools that declare them.
Can I run Auto Archiver together with other tools?
Yes. otlite run --all url:https://example.com runs every installed tool that takes url input, in parallel, including Auto Archiver. Save the combination as a playbook to repeat it.