tfl

What This Skill Does

The TfL skill for OpenClaw provides a direct interface to the Transport for London (TfL) unified REST API. It enables users to fetch real-time transit information for the entire London transport network. This includes the London Underground (Tube), DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, trams, and bus network. By leveraging this skill, OpenClaw can report on current service statuses, predict bus and train arrival times at specific stop points, search for station codes, and assist in journey planning across the capital. It acts as a bridge, parsing JSON responses from TfL into clear, actionable natural language for the user.

Installation

To install this skill, use the ClawHub command-line tool. Run the following command in your terminal: clawhub install openclaw/skills/skills/brianleach/tfl Once installed, ensure your OpenClaw environment is configured to execute Node.js scripts, as the primary logic resides in scripts/tfl.mjs. While the API is public, it is highly recommended to register for a free TfL developer account at the TfL API portal to obtain an app_key to avoid rate-limiting during peak usage periods.

Use Cases

• Checking if a specific line, such as the Victoria or Northern line, is experiencing delays or signal failures.
• Determining exactly when the next bus is arriving at a specific stop by searching for the location name.
• Planning complex routes across London using multiple transport modes (e.g., Tube to bus transfers).
• Verifying station status, such as checking if a station is currently closed for planned maintenance or engineering works.
• Assisting commuters in real-time by providing the sequence of stops for a particular route.

Example Prompts

1. "Is the Northern line running normally today?"
2. "When is the next bus arriving at the Oxford Circus stop?"
3. "How do I get from King's Cross to Waterloo using public transport?"

Tips & Limitations

For optimal performance, always use an API key to increase your request quota to 500 requests per minute. Note that stop searching relies on the exact name or Naptan ID; if a search returns multiple results, be prepared to clarify the specific station. The skill provides real-time data, but always confirm major disruptions on official TfL digital signage as the API latency can vary during severe incidents.