Bindle API
Build romantic applications for the transient community. The Bindle API provides access to over 45,000 active wanderers, our proprietary 47-factor Bindle Compatibility Score, and the only dating platform where "owns a shopping cart" is a green flag.
What you can build
- Dating platforms - Build niche dating apps for specific hobo subcultures
- Matchmaking services - Use our Compatibility Score to connect compatible transients
- Route planners - Help couples coordinate their rail travel schedules
- Inventory sharing - Build apps for communal bindle management
- Ceremony platforms - Officiate unlicensed marriages at scale
Quickstart
Start matching wanderers in under 5 minutes.
1. Get your API key
Sign up for a free Bindle Developer account. Payment accepted in aluminum cans, bottle caps, or traditional currency.
2. Install the SDK
# npm npm install @vagibond/bindle-sdk # pip pip install bindle-api # Truly committed? Carve this into a bindle stick: curl https://api.bindle.vagibond.com/v1/matches/nearby \ -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ -d '{"lat": 37.7749, "lng": -122.4194, "radius_miles": 2}'
3. Find your first match
import { Bindle } from '@vagibond/bindle-sdk'; const client = new Bindle('your_api_key'); // Find potential matches nearby const matches = await client.matches.nearby({ lat: 37.7749, lng: -122.4194, radius_miles: 2, min_compatibility: 0.65 }); console.log(matches); // { // "matches": [ // { // "id": "usr_hobo_42", // "display_name": "Railroad Rita", // "age": 47, // "compatibility_score": 0.87, // "distance": "0.3 miles", // "location_type": "Under bridge (south side)", // "verified_assets": ["shopping_cart", "tent_2_person"], // "bindle_contents": 12, // "rail_routes": ["UP_Pacific", "BNSF_Transcon"], // "last_active": "2024-01-15T08:30:00Z" // } // ] // }
Authentication
All API requests require authentication. We accept multiple payment methods for API access:
| Prefix | Type | Payment Method |
|---|---|---|
bdl_live_ |
Production | 2 aluminum cans/month or $4.99 USD |
bdl_test_ |
Sandbox | Free (fake hobos only) |
bdl_premium_ |
Rail Baron | 5 cans/month or $9.99 USD |
Rate Limits
Love takes time. So do API requests.
| Plan | Swipes/day | Compatibility Checks | Ceremonies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanderer (Free) | 5 | 10 | 0 |
| Rail Baron (2 cans) | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1/month |
| Boxcar King (5 cans) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Matching API
Returns potential romantic matches within a specified radius. Results are sorted by Bindle Compatibility Score.
Query Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
lat |
float | Your latitude (or best guess) |
lng |
float | Your longitude |
radius_miles |
float | Search radius (default: 2, max: "next_train_stop") |
min_compatibility |
float | Minimum Bindle Compatibility Score (0.0-1.0) |
has_cart |
boolean | Filter by verified shopping cart ownership |
willing_to_share_beans |
boolean | Only show matches open to communal dining |
Response
{
"matches": [
{
"id": "usr_hobo_42",
"display_name": "Railroad Rita",
"age": 47,
"gender": "female",
"compatibility_score": 0.87,
"compatibility_breakdown": {
"dumpster_preference_match": 0.92,
"cardboard_box_compatibility": 0.85,
"bean_sharing_willingness": 0.95,
"rail_route_overlap": 0.78
},
"distance": "0.3 miles",
"location_type": "Under bridge (south side)",
"verified_assets": ["shopping_cart", "tent_2_person"],
"looking_for": "Someone to share a fire barrel with",
"deal_breakers": ["No tent", "Won't share beans"]
}
],
"total": 23
}
Swipe on a potential match. If both users swipe right, a match is created and both parties are notified via carrier pigeon (or push notification).
Request Body
{
"target_user_id": "usr_hobo_42",
"direction": "right", // "right" = interested, "left" = pass
"super_swipe": false, // Costs 1 extra can
"message": "Nice cart! Is that a Safeway or Costco model?"
}
Response
{
"swipe_id": "swp_abc123",
"is_match": true,
"match_id": "mtch_xyz789",
"suggested_meeting_spot": {
"type": "fire_barrel",
"location": "Under I-405, near the good dumpster",
"lat": 37.7751,
"lng": -122.4189
},
"celebration_message": "It's a match! May your bindles intertwine."
}
Get detailed Bindle Compatibility Score breakdown for a specific user. Our algorithm analyzes 47 compatibility factors.
Response
{
"overall_score": 0.87,
"factors": {
"lifestyle": {
"dumpster_territory_overlap": 0.92,
"preferred_bridge_orientation": 0.88,
"cardboard_box_dimensions": 0.75,
"fire_barrel_sharing_style": 0.90
},
"travel": {
"rail_route_compatibility": 0.78,
"freight_vs_passenger_preference": 0.95,
"travel_pace": 0.82
},
"culinary": {
"bean_brand_preference": 0.91,
"mulligan_stew_recipe_similarity": 0.67,
"dumpster_dive_schedule": 0.89
},
"assets": {
"combined_cart_capacity": 0.85,
"tent_compatibility": 0.92,
"bindle_stick_craftsmanship": 0.78
}
},
"recommendation": "Strong match. Your dumpster schedules align perfectly.",
"warnings": ["Slight mulligan stew recipe conflict - discuss before cohabitation"]
}
Inventory API
Manage bindle contents programmatically.
List all items in your bindle. Useful for asset verification and compatibility calculations.
Response
{
"items": [
{
"id": "itm_001",
"name": "Lucky Harmonica",
"category": "entertainment",
"condition": "well-loved",
"shareable": true,
"estimated_value_cans": 3
},
{
"id": "itm_002",
"name": "Slightly Dented Can of Beans",
"category": "food",
"expiration": "best_guess_2019",
"shareable": true
},
{
"id": "itm_003",
"name": "Bindle Stick (Oak)",
"category": "essential",
"craftsmanship_score": 0.89,
"shareable": false
}
],
"total_items": 12,
"estimated_total_value_cans": 23
}
Officiate an unlicensed Bindle Ceremony between two matched users. Generates a commemorative certificate (not legally binding in any jurisdiction).
Request Body
{
"partner_1_id": "usr_hobo_42",
"partner_2_id": "usr_hobo_87",
"ceremony_type": "fire_barrel", // or "boxcar", "under_bridge", "jungle"
"vows": {
"partner_1": "I promise to share my beans and never hog the fire barrel.",
"partner_2": "I promise to let you have the good side of the cardboard."
},
"witnesses": ["usr_hobo_23", "usr_hobo_45"]
}
Response
{
"ceremony_id": "cer_love2024",
"status": "completed",
"certificate_url": "https://cdn.bindle.vagibond.com/certificates/cer_love2024.pdf",
"legal_status": "Not recognized in any jurisdiction",
"romantic_status": "Eternally bound by the sacred fire barrel",
"combined_bindle_inventory": 24,
"message": "May your bindles always be full and your fire barrels always warm."
}
Verify ownership of assets like shopping carts and tents. Verified assets appear with a badge on profiles, increasing match rates by 340%.
Request Body
{
"asset_type": "shopping_cart",
"brand": "Costco", // Premium brand, +15% match rate
"condition": "three_wheels",
"photo_url": "https://your-server.com/my-cart.jpg",
"acquisition_method": "found" // "found", "inherited", "traded", "other"
}
Verifiable Assets
| Asset Type | Match Rate Boost | Verification Method |
|---|---|---|
shopping_cart |
+340% | Photo + serial number (if visible) |
tent |
+280% | Photo with dimensions |
bindle_stick |
+120% | Craftsmanship assessment |
fire_barrel |
+500% | Location verification + photo |
Compatibility Factors
Our algorithm analyzes 47 factors. Here are the top 10 most weighted:
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bean Sharing Willingness | 12% | Critical for long-term compatibility |
| Rail Route Overlap | 11% | Can you travel together? |
| Dumpster Schedule Sync | 10% | Avoid territorial conflicts |
| Cardboard Box Preferences | 9% | Size, brand, condition standards |
| Fire Barrel Etiquette | 8% | Sharing vs. hoarding warmth |
| Hygiene Expectations | 7% | Relative to hobo standards |
| Political Views | 6% | On rail yard security, gentrification |
| Musical Taste | 5% | Harmonica compatibility crucial |
| Cart Maintenance Style | 5% | Neat vs. chaotic organizers |
| Mulligan Stew Recipe | 4% | Can be dealbreaker if incompatible |
Pricing
- 5 swipes per day
- Basic compatibility score
- View matches within 2 train cars
- Text-only messaging
- Unlimited swipes
- Full 47-factor compatibility
- See who liked you
- Priority in Jungle Junction
- 1 ceremony/month
- Everything in Rail Baron
- Unlimited ceremonies
- Premium dumpster alerts
- VIP fire barrel access
- Asset verification badge
Changelog
- Added "Jungle Junction" group matching for community events
- New compatibility factor: "Tolerance for harmonica at 3 AM"
- Ceremony certificates now include QR code (links to nothing legal)
- Asset verification system launched
- Shopping cart photo validation using AI (checks for wheels)
- New payment option: bottle caps (exchange rate: 3 caps = 1 can)
- Fixed bug where compatibility scores exceeded 100% (love has limits)
- Improved rail route matching for BNSF lines
- Ceremony endpoint no longer crashes when both partners say "I don't"