How oxylabs/free-proxy-list works
1. Repository role
- This repo is not an application codebase; it is a product landing/documentation repository for Oxylabs’ “Free Proxy List” offering.
- Its primary function is to present the service, onboard users, and route them to external Oxylabs systems.
2. Core content surface
- The repository is centered on a single README.md file.
- That README acts as the main user-facing artifact, combining marketing copy, setup instructions, integration guidance, and support links.
3. Asset layer
- The only local assets are under images/.
- These are static promotional/illustration images embedded in the README to support the narrative and explain usage visually.
4. External service boundary
- The repo does not host proxy infrastructure itself.
- It points users to Oxylabs-managed external systems: the dashboard, datacenter proxies page, documentation site, and support channels.
5. Primary user flow
- A user lands on the README, learns about the free proxy offering, then follows links to register on the Oxylabs dashboard.
- From there they create proxy credentials, test access, and start using the service in their own tooling.
6. Proxy access flow
- The architecture described by the README is a standard client-to-proxy-to-target pattern:
- client tool or script authenticates to Oxylabs proxy endpoint,
- Oxylabs proxy service forwards traffic,
- target site receives the request as coming from one of the provided US IPs.
- The README emphasizes that the proxy endpoint supports HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5.
7. Operational constraints
- The service is presented with explicit usage limits: 20 concurrent sessions, 5GB/month traffic, and 5 US IPs.
- These limits matter architecturally because they define the scale and behavior expected from the proxy account, not from the repo itself.
8. Integration boundary
- The repo treats integration as client-side only: cURL, Python, JavaScript, PHP, Go, Java, and C# are listed as supported ecosystems.
- The included Python example demonstrates how downstream applications inject proxy credentials into their own HTTP client configuration.
9. Browser tooling
- A separate integration path is the Oxy Proxy Manager Chrome extension.
- This is a browser-side control surface for switching IPs during browsing sessions, distinct from programmatic API usage.
10. Documentation/dependency model
- The README references Oxylabs documentation and integration guides rather than containing implementation logic.
- That means the repo’s “source of truth” for behavior is largely external; this repository is more of a distribution and discovery point.
11. Support and community channel
- Support is routed outside the repo to email, live chat in the dashboard, and Discord.
- These channels form the operational support boundary for users onboarding through the repo.
12. What to show in an architecture diagram
- The diagram should mainly include:
- this repo as a documentation/marketing entry point,
- static image assets,
- external Oxylabs dashboard/docs/proxy endpoints,
- user-owned client applications or browser extension,
- and the target websites/services accessed through the proxy layer.
Main entry points: README.md README · images Images
Components 16
Repo surface
Local documentation and static assets in this repository.
- README · Main user-facing artifact combining product overview, setup, usage, and support links.
README.md - Images · Promotional and instructional images embedded in the README.
images - Free Proxy · Marketing and constraints for the free proxy offering: limits, geography, and supported protocols.
- Setup Guide · Instructions for registering, creating credentials, and starting the proxy service.
- Examples · Language-specific integration guidance and sample client configuration patterns.
- Support Links · Pointers to external email, dashboard chat, and community support.
Oxylabs services
External Oxylabs-managed systems referenced by the README.
- Dashboard · Oxylabs account portal for registration, credential creation, and account management.
- Docs Site · External product and integration documentation referenced by the repository.
- Proxy Service · Oxylabs-managed endpoint that authenticates client requests and forwards traffic onward.
- Datacenter Proxies · External Oxylabs page that contextualizes the proxy offering within broader proxy products.
- Support Channels · Email, live chat, and Discord used for onboarding and operational questions.
- Usage Limits · Service limits described by the README: concurrent sessions, monthly traffic, and US IP count.
User side
Client tools and browser-side integrations used by consumers of the free proxy list.
- Client Tools · User-owned scripts and applications that consume the proxy endpoint.
- Proxy Manager · Browser-side control surface for switching proxy IPs during browsing sessions.
- Target Sites · Third-party websites and services reached through the proxy layer.
- Credentials · Proxy username, password, and endpoint settings injected into clients.
Connections 17
- README → Free Proxy: describes · The README presents the offering, protocols, geography, and quotas.
- README → Setup Guide: guides · The README explains how to register and begin using the service.
- README → Examples: shows · The README includes client integration examples and supported ecosystems.
- README → Support Links: routes to · The README directs users to external support channels.
- README → Images: embeds · Local images support the narrative and usage guidance.
- Free Proxy → Usage Limits: includes · The product description calls out concurrency, bandwidth, and IP limits.
- Setup Guide → Dashboard: registers at · Users create an account and manage credentials in the dashboard.
- Setup Guide → Proxy Service: activates · After setup, users connect to the managed proxy endpoint.
- Setup Guide → Docs Site: references · Onboarding points users to external documentation and guides.
- Examples → Client Tools: configures · Client applications inject proxy settings into their HTTP stacks.
- Examples → Credentials: uses · Examples rely on credentials and endpoint details.
- Client Tools → Proxy Service: connects to · Applications send authenticated traffic to the Oxylabs proxy endpoint.
- Proxy Manager → Proxy Service: switches through · The browser extension controls proxy selection for browsing sessions.
- Credentials → Proxy Service: authenticates · Credentials identify and authorize the account against the proxy service.
- Proxy Service → Target Sites: forwards to · The proxy relays requests to external destinations on behalf of the client.
- Support Links → Support Channels: points to · Support is handled through email, chat, and Discord outside the repo.
- Datacenter Proxies → Proxy Service: contextualizes · The product page frames the free list within Oxylabs' proxy portfolio.