Export Safari reading list to an Obsidian-flavoured markdown file

safari_readling_list_to_md.py

import plistlib
import os
from datetime import datetime

# Path to Safari Bookmarks file, copy it locally because macOS doesn't allow direct access
# to the file in the user's Library folder
plist_path = os.path.expanduser("./Bookmarks.plist")

# Read the plist file
try:
    with open(plist_path, "rb") as fp:
        plist_data = plistlib.load(fp)
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error reading file: {e}")
    exit()

# Find the Reading List folder
reading_list = []
for item in plist_data.get("Children", []):
    if item.get("Title") == "com.apple.ReadingList":
        for child in item.get("Children", []):
            title = child.get("URIDictionary", {}).get("title", "Untitled")
            url = child.get("URLString", "")
            reading_list_non_sync = child.get("ReadingListNonSync", {})
            date_added = reading_list_non_sync.get("DateAdded", None)
            preview_text = reading_list_non_sync.get("PreviewText", "")
            preview = preview_text.strip() if preview_text else "No preview available"
            if url:
                reading_list.append(
                    {
                        "title": title,
                        "url": url,
                        "date_added": date_added,
                        "preview": preview,
                    }
                )

if not reading_list:
    print("Reading List is empty or not found.")
    exit()

# Write to Markdown
with open("reading_list.md", "w") as md_file:
    # YAML front matter
    md_file.write("---\n")
    md_file.write("title: Safari Reading List\n")
    md_file.write("tags: [reading-list, imported]\n")
    md_file.write(f"date: {datetime.now().strftime('%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')}\n")
    md_file.write("---\n\n")

    # Header
    md_file.write("# Safari Reading List\n\n")

    # Entries
    for entry in reading_list:
        md_file.write(f"## [{entry['title']}]({entry['url']})\n")
        if entry["date_added"]:
            date_str = entry["date_added"].strftime("%B %d, %Y")
            md_file.write(f"- **Added**: {date_str}\n")
        else:
            md_file.write("- **Added**: Unknown\n")

        # Only write the preview if it's not "No preview available"
        if entry["preview"] != "No preview available":
            md_file.write(f"- **Preview**: {entry['preview']}\n")

        md_file.write("- **Status**: Unread\n")
        md_file.write("- **Tags**: #reading-list #unread\n")
        md_file.write("\n---\n\n")

print("Enhanced Reading List exported to reading_list.md!")