Python PRAW: Post to Reddit Automatically | ShillehTek

Video Tutorial (Optional)

Watch first if you want to see the full process of setting up a Reddit app and posting to a subreddit with Python.

Project Overview

In this tutorial, you will use Python with the PRAW module (Reddit API wrapper) to authenticate and post to a subreddit automatically with a script.

This is designed for beginners who want to interact with Reddit’s API programmatically for personal use, bot creation, or automating social media workflows.

• Time: 15 to 30 minutes
• Skill level: Beginner
• What you will build: A Python script that authenticates to Reddit and submits a text post to a subreddit

Parts List

From ShillehTek

• None required for this software tutorial

External

• Python - used to run the automation script
• praw - Python library for interacting with the Reddit API
• Reddit Developer Console (reddit.com/prefs/apps) - create an app to get API credentials
• A Reddit account - used for authentication and posting

Note: The username/password approach shown here will not work if your Reddit account requires two-factor authentication. You may need to disable 2FA for this method.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1 - Create a Reddit app and collect credentials

Goal: Register an app so you can authenticate to Reddit’s API and get a client ID and secret.

What to do:

1. Go to the Reddit Developer Console: Head to reddit.com/prefs/apps.
2. Click “Create App”: At the bottom of the page, find the “Create App” button.
3. Fill in the app details:
   • Name: Choose a descriptive name.
   • App Type: Select script since this is for a single user.
   • Description: Optional, you can leave it blank.
   • Redirect URI: Set this to http://localhost:8080 (or any placeholder). You do not need it for this method, but it is required later if you move to OAuth flows that use redirects.
   • Personal Use Script (Client ID) and Secret: After creating the app, save these values.

Expected result: You have a Client ID (Personal Use Script) and Secret saved, plus your Reddit username, password, and a user agent string (your app name is fine).

Step 2 - Install the required Python library

Goal: Install PRAW so your script can talk to Reddit’s API.

What to do: In your Python environment, install praw using pip:

Code:

pip install praw

Expected result: PRAW is installed and available to import in Python.

Step 3 - Write the Python script to authenticate and post

Goal: Create a script that logs in and submits a text post to a subreddit.

What to do: Create a file named post_to_reddit.py and paste the following code. Replace the placeholder credentials with your own.

Code:

import praw

# Reddit API credentials
reddit = praw.Reddit(
    client_id='your_client_id',
    client_secret='your_client_secret',
    user_agent='your_app_name',
    username='your_reddit_username',
    password='your_reddit_password'
)

# Subreddit to post to
subreddit_name = "test"  # Change to your desired subreddit

# Title and content of the post
title = "My first automated post using Python!"
selftext = "Hello Reddit! This post was made using a Python script."

# Submit the post
subreddit = reddit.subreddit(subreddit_name)
subreddit.submit(title=title, selftext=selftext)

print(f"Posted to Reddit: {title}")

Expected result: You have a ready-to-run script that authenticates using PRAW and submits a text post to your chosen subreddit.

Step 4 - Understand what each part does

Goal: Know what to change safely when you customize the script.

What to do:

• praw: The Python library that simplifies Reddit API interactions.
• Reddit API credentials: Replace placeholders with your app’s Client ID, Client Secret, user agent, and your Reddit username/password.
• Subreddit: Set the community you want to post to. For practice, you can use a test subreddit like r/test.
• Submit the post: submit() creates the post using a title and body (selftext). For link posts, pass url instead of selftext.

Expected result: You understand what values must be changed (credentials, subreddit, title, and body) and what the script is doing.

Step 5 - Run the script

Goal: Execute the script and confirm the post is created.

What to do: Run the Python file from your terminal:

Code:

python post_to_reddit.py

Expected result: The terminal prints a confirmation message, and you can see the post in the subreddit you specified.

Conclusion

You built a simple Reddit posting automation using Python, the PRAW library, and a registered Reddit app, so your script can authenticate and submit posts to a subreddit programmatically.

Want to support more builds and tutorials? Check out parts and kits at ShillehTek.com. If you want help turning a script like this into a more complete automation workflow, reach out through our consulting services.