Vagibond Maps API

Integrate the world's most comprehensive hobo sign database into your application. Our API provides real-time access to community-verified wayfinding intelligence trusted by housing-flexible individuals worldwide.

What you can build

• Navigation apps - Overlay hobo signs on your existing maps
• Safety applications - Alert users to community-reported dangers
• Resource locators - Help users find food, water, and shelter
• Historical research - Access our archive of 1.2M+ historical signs
• Community platforms - Let users contribute and verify signs

Select Partners

Vagibond Maps poweres thousands of sites and apps across the dark web, a select example of which are below. Thank you to all of our Gold-tier and higher partners for your support! Silver-tier partners and lower: Do better.

Vagibond Maps AirBM Zilcho Church of the U.N.T. PedroFile Second Chances Shedroll

Live Demo

See what you can build with the Maps API.

Quickstart

Get up and running with the Vagibond Maps API in minutes.

1. Get your API key

Sign up for a free account to receive your API key. Free tier includes 1,000 requests/day.

2. Install the SDK

# npm
npm install vagibond-maps

# yarn
yarn add vagibond-maps

# pip
pip install vagibond-maps

3. Make your first request

import { VagibondMaps } from 'vagibond-maps';

const client = new VagibondMaps('your_api_key');

// Get signs near a location
const signs = await client.signs.nearby({
  lat: 37.7749,
  lng: -122.4194,
  radius: 500, // meters
  categories: ['positive', 'warning']
});

console.log(signs);
// [
//   {
//     id: "sgn_8f3k2j1",
//     type: "safe-camp",
//     name: "Safe Camp",
//     lat: 37.7751,
//     lng: -122.4189,
//     accuracy: 0.94,
//     reports: 127,
//     last_verified: "2024-01-15T08:30:00Z"
//   },
//   ...
// ]

Authentication

All API requests require authentication via API key. Include your key in the request header:

Authorization: Bearer vgb_live_a1b2c3d4e5f6...

API Key Types

Rate Limits

Rate limits vary by plan. Exceeding limits returns a 429 Too Many Requests response.

API Reference

{
  "signs": [
    {
      "id": "sgn_8f3k2j1",
      "type": "horny-housewife",
      "name": "Horny Housewife",
      "category": "positive",
      "meaning": "Lonely / husband deployed.",
      "lat": 37.7751,
      "lng": -122.4189,
      "accuracy": 0.94,
      "reports": 127,
      "last_verified": "2024-01-15T08:30:00Z",
      "distance_meters": 47
    }
  ],
  "total": 23,
  "center": { "lat": 37.7749, "lng": -122.4194 }
}

{
  "type": "kind-female",
  "lat": 37.7749,
  "lng": -122.4194,
  "notes": "Blue house on corner. Ask for Mrs. Stuben.",
  "photo_url": "https://..." // optional
}

Webhooks

Receive real-time notifications when signs are reported or verified in areas you're monitoring.

Event Types

SDKs & Libraries

Official client libraries for popular languages and frameworks.

Framework Integrations

Pricing

Choose the plan that fits your needs. All plans include access to our full sign database.

Changelog

Recent updates and improvements to the Vagibond Maps API.