Show HN: I built a tool that watches webpages and exposes changes as RSS

Introduction to Site Spy

As a developer, I've often found myself in situations where I need to monitor a webpage for changes. Whether it's a government page, a product availability status, or a news headline, tracking changes can be a tedious and time-consuming process. That's why I was excited to learn about Site Spy, a tool that watches webpages and exposes changes as RSS feeds.

Why this matters

The creator of Site Spy built the tool after missing a visa appointment slot because a government page changed and they didn't notice for two weeks. This scenario highlights the importance of monitoring webpages for changes. With Site Spy, users can track specific elements on a webpage, such as a price, stock status, or headline, and receive notifications when changes occur.

Features of Site Spy

Site Spy offers several features that make it a powerful tool for monitoring webpages:

• Element picker: allows users to track a specific part of a page, rather than the entire page
• Diff view: shows the changes made to the webpage, along with a full snapshot timeline
• RSS feeds: provides updates on changes to the webpage, which can be filtered by watch, tag, or across all watches
• MCP server: supports integration with AI agents like Claude and Cursor
• Browser push, Email, and Telegram notifications: ensures users stay informed of changes

How to install

To get started with Site Spy, users can install the Chrome or Firefox extension:

* Chrome: [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/site-spy/jeapcpanag...](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/site-spy/jeapcpanag...)
* Firefox: [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/site-spy/](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/site-spy/)

Additionally, users can access the web dashboard and documentation at https://docs.sitespy.app.

Pros and Cons

Some potential advantages of Site Spy include:

• Granular tracking: allows users to monitor specific elements on a webpage, reducing noise and increasing relevance
• Flexible notifications: provides multiple notification channels, including RSS, browser push, email, and Telegram
• Integration with AI agents: supports integration with AI agents like Claude and Cursor

However, some potential drawbacks include:

• Limited platform support: currently only available as a Chrome or Firefox extension
• Dependence on RSS: may not be the most effective interface for all users, particularly those who prefer direct alerts

Verdict

Who is this for? Site Spy is ideal for developers, researchers, and power users who need to monitor webpages for changes. The tool's element-level tracking and flexible notification system make it a powerful solution for those who want to stay informed of changes to specific webpages.

As the creator of Site Spy asks, do you think RSS is a useful interface for this type of tool, or do you prefer direct alerts? Share your thoughts in the comments!