watchers

Poll RSS, JSON endpoints, and GitHub activity for unseen items.

Updated Aug 23, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/matlee0409/cronus --skill watchers-matlee0409
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: watchers
Source: https://github.com/matlee0409/cronus/tree/main/optional-skills/devops/watchers
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/matlee0409/cronus --skill watchers-matlee0409

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Poll external data sources (RSS, JSON endpoints, and GitHub activity) for new items and surface only unseen entries.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Ready-made scripts: watch_rss.py, watch_http_json.py, and watch_github.py with watermark-based dedup.
  • Flexible data sources: RSS feeds, arbitrary JSON endpoints, and GitHub repo activity.
  • State management: each watcher stores state under $CRONUS_HOME/watcher-state/<name>.json and can be scheduled via cron.

Quick Start

Run a watcher script with a unique --name and a target source, then schedule it in cron.

Frequently Asked Questions about watchers

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I poll RSS feeds and JSON endpoints for new items without duplicates?

You can poll RSS feeds and JSON endpoints for new items without duplicates by using watermark-based dedup. The watcher scripts track state to surface only unseen entries from external data sources.

Can I monitor GitHub repo activity and only surface unseen entries?

Yes, you can monitor GitHub repo activity and only surface unseen entries. The watch_github.py script uses watermark-based dedup to track and display only new activity from target repositories.

Do I need to install external dependencies to run Python polling scripts for RSS and JSON?

No, you do not need external dependencies to run these polling scripts. The watchers rely on Python standard libraries, requiring no external runtime dependencies beyond your environment.

How do I schedule a watcher script to automatically poll external data sources?

You schedule a watcher script to automatically poll external data sources by running it with a unique --name and target source, then adding it to your cron jobs.

How does watermark dedup work when watching RSS feeds and generic JSON endpoints?

Watermark dedup works by storing state under $CRONUS_HOME/watcher-state/<name>.json. This allows each watcher to track previously seen items and filter out duplicates on subsequent polls.

What is the best way to watch RSS feeds and GitHub repos for updates without external libraries?

The best way to watch RSS feeds and GitHub repos without external libraries is using standard Python scripts with watermark dedup. This approach tracks state locally to surface only unseen entries.