Parcel Tracking

Parcel Tracking

Track package deliveries using the Parcel app API. View delivery status, tracking events, and manage tracking numbers.

Prerequisites

Before using this Skill, you must:

1. Install Node.js dependencies:

cd scripts && npm install && npm run build

2. Obtain a Parcel app API key from web.parcelapp.net (requires premium subscription)

3. Set the API key environment variable:

export PARCEL_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"

Instructions

Viewing Deliveries

To retrieve delivery information:

node scripts/dist/view-deliveries.js --filter recent

Filter modes:

• active - Only show deliveries currently in transit
• recent - Show recent deliveries including completed ones (default)

Examples:

Get active deliveries:

node scripts/dist/view-deliveries.js --filter active

Get all recent deliveries:

node scripts/dist/view-deliveries.js

Delivery Data Structure

Each delivery object includes:

• tracking_number - Package tracking identifier
• carrier_code - Carrier identifier (e.g., "ups", "fedex", "usps")
• description - User-provided delivery description
• status_code - Numeric status indicator (0-8)
• events - Array of tracking events with timestamps and locations
• date_expected - Expected delivery date/time (if available)
• date_expected_end - Delivery window end time (if available)
• extra_information - Additional carrier-specific data

Status codes:

• 0: Unknown
• 1: Pre-transit (label created)
• 2: In transit
• 3: Out for delivery
• 4: Delivered
• 5: Available for pickup
• 6: Exception/Issue
• 7: Expired
• 8: Pending

Event object structure:

• event - Event description
• date - Event timestamp
• location - Event location (optional)
• additional - Extra information (optional)

Adding a Delivery

To add a new tracking number:

node scripts/dist/add-delivery.js --tracking <number> --carrier <code> --description <text>

Required parameters:

• --tracking or -t - Tracking number
• --carrier or -c - Carrier code (see "Getting Carrier Codes" below)
• --description or -d - Delivery description

Optional parameters:

• --language or -l - Two-letter language code (default: "en")
• --push or -p - Send push notification when delivery is added

Examples:

Add UPS delivery:

node scripts/dist/add-delivery.js -t 1Z999AA10123456784 -c ups -d "Office supplies"

Add placeholder delivery:

node scripts/dist/add-delivery.js --tracking 12345 --carrier pholder --description "Unknown carrier" --push

Add delivery with language preference:

node scripts/dist/add-delivery.js -t ABC123 -c dhl -d "Documents" --language de

Getting Carrier Codes

To retrieve the list of supported carriers:

node scripts/dist/get-carriers.js

This returns a JSON array with carrier codes and names. Common carriers include:

• ups - UPS
• usps - USPS
• fedex - FedEx
• dhl - DHL
• amazon - Amazon Logistics
• pholder - Placeholder (for unknown carriers)

The carrier list is updated daily and does not require authentication.

Filter carriers:

node scripts/dist/get-carriers.js | jq '.[] | select(.code=="ups")'

Rate Limits

View Deliveries:

• 20 requests per hour
• Responses are cached, not live updates

Add Delivery:

• 20 requests per day (including failed attempts)
• Failed attempts count toward the limit

Get Carriers:

• No authentication required
• No documented rate limit

Best Practices

1. Check active deliveries first: Use --filter active to see only in-transit packages
2. Verify carrier codes: Run get-carriers.js before adding deliveries to ensure correct carrier code
3. Use descriptive names: Provide clear descriptions when adding deliveries for easier identification
4. Handle rate limits: Cache results when possible; the API responses are already cached by the service
5. Placeholder deliveries: Use carrier code pholder when the carrier is unknown

Common Workflows

Check for new delivery updates

# Get all active deliveries
node scripts/dist/view-deliveries.js --filter active

# Check specific status (filter in your code or with jq)
node scripts/dist/view-deliveries.js --filter active | jq '.[] | select(.status_code==3)'

Add and track a new package

# Get carrier code
node scripts/dist/get-carriers.js | jq '.[] | select(.name | contains("UPS"))'

# Add delivery
node scripts/dist/add-delivery.js -t 1Z999AA10123456784 -c ups -d "Holiday gift" --push

# View to confirm
node scripts/dist/view-deliveries.js --filter active

Monitor delivery status

# Get delivery with expected date
node scripts/dist/view-deliveries.js --filter active | jq '.[] | {description, date_expected, status_code}'

Troubleshooting

"Missing required environment variable: PARCEL_API_KEY"

• Set the API key: export PARCEL_API_KEY="your-key"
• Verify it's set: echo $PARCEL_API_KEY
• Ensure you've reloaded your shell after setting

"API request failed: 401"

• API key is invalid or expired
• Generate a new key at web.parcelapp.net
• Verify you have an active premium subscription

"API request failed: 429"

• Rate limit exceeded
• View deliveries: Wait an hour before retrying
• Add delivery: Wait until the next day
• The service enforces strict rate limits

Empty deliveries array

• No tracked deliveries in your account
• Add a delivery first using add-delivery.js
• Check filter mode (active vs recent)

"No data available" after adding delivery

• Normal behavior for newly added deliveries
• Server updates tracking data periodically
• Check again later for tracking events

Invalid carrier code

• Run get-carriers.js to see supported carriers
• Use exact code from the carriers list
• Try pholder if carrier is not supported

Security Notes

• API keys should be treated as passwords - never commit them to version control
• Premium subscription required for API access
• API keys can be regenerated at web.parcelapp.net if compromised
• Rate limits prevent abuse; respect them to maintain API access

Additional Resources

For detailed API documentation, see references/API.md.

For setup instructions, see references/SETUP.md.

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