When to use Scraper Studio

Which development mode to use

Bright Data Scraper Studio offers two ways to build scrapers:

Mode	How it works	Best for
AI Agent	Describe the data you want in plain language. Bright Data AI generates a schema and writes the scraper code	No-code users, fast prototyping
IDE	Write and test JavaScript directly in a browser-based code editor with debugging tools	Developers who need full control

Both modes produce the same type of scraper: meaning you’re never locked into one approach. A scraper built by AI Agent can be opened and edited in the IDE at any time, and any scraper can be updated using the Self-healing tool.

When to use Scraper Studio vs. other Bright Data products

Use Scraper Studio when the data you need isn’t in the Datasets Marketplace, you want ownership of the scraper logic, and you don’t want to manage proxies or infrastructure yourself.

Scenario	Recommended product
Need data from a popular site with zero setup	Datasets Marketplace
Need a scraper built and maintained by Bright Data	Managed Services
Need to build a custom scraper using AI or code on Bright Data’s infrastructure	Scraper Studio

	AI Agent	IDE
Setup time	Minutes, describe and run	Longer, write, test, debug
Code control	AI writes the code	You own every line
Customization	Via Self-healing tool prompts	Direct JavaScript editing
Best for	Fast scraper creation, non-technical users	Complex logic, multi-stage scrapers

AI Agent

IDE

Setup time

Minutes, describe and run

Longer, write, test, debug

Code control

AI writes the code

You own every line

Customization

Via Self-healing tool prompts

Direct JavaScript editing

Best for

Fast scraper creation, non-technical users

Complex logic, multi-stage scrapers

Frequently asked questions

Should I use AI Agent or IDE mode?

Use AI Agent if you want to get started fast or you’re not a developer. Use Bright Data IDE mode if you need full control over scraper logic or are building complex, multi-stage scrapers.

Can I switch between AI Agent and IDE?

Yes. Any scraper created in AI Agent mode can be opened and edited in the IDE. You can also use the Self-Healing Tool to update scrapers using plain language prompts.

What's the difference between Scraper Studio and Scrapers Library?

Scrapers Library contains pre-built scrapers for popular sites. Bright Data Scraper Studio is for building custom scrapers from scratch when your target site isn’t in the library.

Do I need to manage proxies or servers?

No. Bright Data Scraper Studio handles all proxy management and infrastructure automatically.

Next steps

Build with AI Agent

Build your first scraper using plain language prompts

Explore the IDE

Get to know the browser-based code editor

Worker types

Understand how Scraper Studio runs your jobs

Where to learn more

Scraper Studio Specifications

View infrastructure limits, billing model, and data retention rules

Introduction

Product Guides

Which development mode to use