Build Better Agent Tools with Apify
This workshop is FREE for attendees of CascadiaJS 2026. Seats are LIMITED, attendees MUST register to reserve their seat for this workshop. Check your email for the registration link.
- When: Monday, June 1 (1:40pm - 3:40pm)
- Where: Town Hall, Forum level
- Instructor: Michael Daigler, Developer Advocate at Apify
AI agents can write code, but they can’t see what’s happening on the live web. In this workshop, you’ll build a tool that fixes that.
You’ll create an Apify Actor that wraps the RAG Web Browser, Apify’s web search and content extraction tool, and adds your own custom logic on top: smarter search query generation and relevance filtering powered by an LLM. The result is a cloud-deployed tool that any coding agent (Claude Code, Cursor, Codex) can call to research a topic using real-time web data.
What you’ll walk away with: a deployed Actor on Apify’s platform, hands-on experience building wrapper tools that extend marketplace Actors with custom logic, and an understanding of how to give your AI agent access to live web data.
No prior experience with Apify required. Bring a laptop with Node.js and a coding agent installed.
What you’ll walk away with:
Understanding how to:
- Build tools
- Write skills that make better use of tools (theirs or anyone else’s on the marketplace)
- Publish both
Prerequisites:
- Laptop with internet access
- Node.js, a coding agent (Claude Code or Cursor)
- An Apify account (free credits provided)
About Michael
Michael is a Developer Advocate at Apify, where he focuses on educating and helping developers and AI builders leverage Apify tools for their AI agents and workflows. He also runs AITX Community, a community for AI engineers and entrepreneurs across Texas. He’s based in Austin, TX.
Our Sponsors
i always have a good time at @CascadiaJS. still one of my fave talks of all time there but more imptly the people and the vibe that @crtr0 and co create make you feel the JS community in a way that very very few are able to do.
— swyx (@swyx) August 14, 2025
join Sept 18-19 in Seattle! https://t.co/xoOT9pkMSl
I LOVE CascadiaJS. Incredible conference in a beautiful city with solid lineups, wonderful staff, and just the right amount of silly. Also @crtr0 at karaoke. 💙
— Josh Goldberg 🦋 (@JoshuaKGoldberg) June 22, 2024
Congrats & thanks again for such a wonderful time! https://t.co/3jhkI8O6Su
I 💚 CascadiaJS bc it feels like the cool, cult classic of JS events.
— Michelle Bakels (@MichelleBakels) March 28, 2025
It’s got everything — a dedicated fan base of 10+ years, close family vibes, long held traditions (the best karaoke!), sublime locale, and a flair for the atypical/creative conf sessions.
Def apply + attend! https://t.co/yqrEbh0icL
The reason why @CascadiaJS is one of my favorite conferences is because you can truly feel the passion and care that everyone puts into it. There's a real sense of community, it's amazing 🙌👏💜
— Charlie Gerard (@devdevcharlie) September 2, 2022
Once again, @CascadiaJS did not disappoint—I love that we have a community-focused conference right in the PNW. It's always inspiring to hear about what people are making, stretch my perspective, and meet new friends.
— Mark Palfreeman 🪐 (@markpalfreeman) September 3, 2022
Also Sunriver resort was awesome 🤘#CascadiaJS pic.twitter.com/SKlPeHibHE
On my way out of @CascadiaJS, feeling grateful for the work that @crtr0, his family, the staff and volunteers, sponsors, speakers, and all put into this family reunion.
— Tejas Kumar (@TejasKumar_) September 3, 2022
Some wonderful memories were made, and the combination of nature and lovely people made it so special. pic.twitter.com/F4JC0318pe
Wow, what a week at @CascadiaJS! Our team thoroughly enjoyed connecting with other engineers, learning from various talks, & experiencing beautiful Sunriver, OR. We wanted to thank everyone who helped organize this event; it was spectacular, and we cannot wait to be back in 2024. pic.twitter.com/vCO33rBTFa
— Formidable, Now Nearform (@FormidableLabs) September 6, 2022
I'm absolutely blown away by how much @cartwr and the entire team @CascadiaJS lifts up and highlights the people who contribute to and make this conference so special. This is what a conf that focuses on community looks like! 🌲 #cjs19 pic.twitter.com/Yh0CdOzVyx
— Divya (@shortdiv) November 9, 2019
I absolutely LOVED MCing @CascadiaJS! This was such a well organized conference, huge kudos to the speakers, the organizers, the sponsors, and of course the audience + community for making it great. It was a pleasure!! #cjs20 pic.twitter.com/EhqjhYJEVY
— Cassidy (@cassidoo) September 3, 2020
Attended #CascadiaJS last week! Awesome speakers/workshops and very well done virtual/hybrid experience! Can't recommend it enough for developers no matter where they are in their coding journey! 🖥️🌲#webdevelopment #javascript #CascadiaJS2021 #PNW pic.twitter.com/imknQzJmBZ
— Nathan Pickard (@NathanPickard) November 8, 2021
Had an amazing time at @CascadiaJS. See you next year! pic.twitter.com/eJYIkqHVMf
— Treasure Porth (@treasureporth) November 13, 2019
I was honored to participate in #CascadiaJS again this year. I've been so impressed again with all the creativity and effort the organizers, speakers, and community puts into making it a uniquely fun event. ✨ pic.twitter.com/x0byI4utED
— Nicole Oliver (@nixcodes) November 5, 2021
Yeah, tonight was great. #CascadiaJS pic.twitter.com/4hHgTP46fg
— Jessica West (@jessicaewest) November 5, 2021
Awesome @CascadiaJS afterparty at the @LivingComputers
— Welling Guzmán (@wellingguzman) November 17, 2018
I had so much fun. #CJS18 pic.twitter.com/xUiF2iupz6
I can't thank @crtr0, the @CascadiaJS team, and the conference sponsors enough for the opportunity to attend #cascadiajs! Everyone was so encouraging and welcoming, I'm thrilled to bring back what I learned to @MakeThinkCode & @pnca. pic.twitter.com/5hVyhcmyUL
— meganmckissack (@meganmckissack) November 19, 2018
Amazing speakers, volunteers, and ORGANIZERS. Shout out to one of the coolest folks, @crtr0! Thanks for an amazing first @CascadiaJS experience!#CascadiaJS pic.twitter.com/iRmbSWB6pN
— Roxy Rodbeck (@RoxanaCodes) June 3, 2026
"The best developer conferences are run by developers."
— Resend (@resend) August 7, 2026
In episode 4 of Building Forward, we're joined by @crtr0 to discuss building an event by devs, for devs.
We even learned how humanity is at the center of the famous @CascadiaJS karaoke send-off 👇 🖤 pic.twitter.com/77BeTKYgnU
I've been to about 4 or 5 events from @CascadiaJS and it's on my top few of my favorite conferences to attend.
— Tessa Mero (@TessaMero) June 17, 2024
Yall should definitely check it out if you haven't attended before, or even sponsor. Highly recommended!
I wish I can go this year, but will definitely make time next… https://t.co/zkf3bpC6Vb
Afternoon #CascadiaJS sessions are living up to my expectations. Great stuff from everyone.
— Jason Grigsby (@gri.gs) June 2, 2026
Happy to be joining #CASCADIAJS for the 3rd time! 🎉June 1, 2026 · View on LinkedIn
Every year I come away learning something new from the talks and workshops, and it’s always great to reconnect with old friends while meeting new people like Akshay Upadhya B in the community. Looking forward to another amazing event full of learning, inspiration, and great conversations!🙂
#CascadiaJS
Wrote a good old-fashioned post-conference reflections post about CascadiaJS. You should read it!June 4, 2026 · View on LinkedIn
Thanks to Carter Rabasa and Carrie Rabasa for staying in the game, and to everyone who made it happen on/off/behind the scene. 🙇 I hope to be back next year!
https://lnkd.in/g2cw3rvG