web-search-plus

Files (12)

• origin.json · .clawhub/
• CHANGELOG.md
• FAQ.md
• README.md
• SKILL.md
• TROUBLESHOOTING.md
• _meta.json
• config.example.json
• package.json
• search.py · scripts/
• setup.py · scripts/
• test-auto-routing.sh

SKILL.md (first lines)

# Web Search Plus

**Stop choosing search providers. Let the skill do it for you.**

This skill connects you to 6 search providers (Serper, Tavily, Exa, Perplexity, You.com, SearXNG) and automatically picks the best one for each query. Shopping question? → Google results. Research question? → Deep research engine. Need a direct answer? → AI-synthesized with citations. Want privacy? → Self-hosted option.

---

## ✨ What Makes This Different?

- **Just search** — No need to think about which provider to use
- **Smart routing** — Analyzes your query and picks the best provider automatically
- **6 providers, 1 interface** — Google results, research engines, neural search, AI answers with citations, RAG-optimized, and privacy-first all in one
- **Works with just 1 key** — Start with any single provider, add more later
- **Free options available** — SearXNG is completely free (self-hosted)

---

## 🚀 Quick Start

```bash
# Interactive setup (recommended for first run)
python3 scripts/setup.py

# Or manual: copy config and add your keys
cp config.example.json config.json
```

The wizard explains each provider, collects API keys, and configures defaults.

---

## 🔑 API Keys

You only need **ONE** key to get started. Add more providers later for better coverage.

| Provider | Free Tier | Best For | Sign Up |
|----------|-----------|----------|---------|
| **Serper** | 2,500/mo | Shopping, prices, local, news | [serper.dev](https://serper.dev) |
| **Tavily** | 1,000/mo | Research, explanations, academic | [tavily.com](https://tavily.com) |
| **Exa** | 1,000/mo | "Similar to X", startups, papers | [exa.ai](https://exa.ai) |
| **Perplexity** | Via Kilo | Direct answers with citations | [kilo.ai](https://kilo.ai) |
| **You.com** | Limited | Real-time info, AI/RAG context | [api.you.com](https://api.you.com) |
| **SearXNG** | **FREE** ✅ | Privacy, multi-source, $0 cost | Self-hosted |

**Setting your keys:**

```bash
# Option A: .env file (recommended)
export SERPER_API_KEY="your-key"
export TAVILY_API_KEY="your-key"

# Option B: config.json
{ "serper": { "api_key": "your-key" } }
```

---

## 🎯 When to Use Which Provider

| I want to... | Provider | Example Query |
|--------------|----------|---------------|
| Find product prices | **Serper** | "iPhone 16 Pro Max price" |
| Find restaurants/stores nearby | **Serper** | "best pizza near me" |
| Understand how something works | **Tavily** | "how does HTTPS encryption work" |
| Do deep research | **Tavily** | "climate change research 2024" |
| Find companies like X | **Exa** | "startups similar to Notion" |
| Find research papers | **Exa** | "transformer architecture papers" |
| Get a direct answer with sources | **Perplexity** | "events in Berlin this weekend" |
| Know the current status of something | **Perplexity** | "what is the status of Ethereum upgrades" |
| Get real-time info | **You.com** | "latest AI regulation news" |
| Search without being tracked | **SearXNG** | anything, privately |

**Pro tip:** Just search normally! Auto-routing handles most queries correctly. Override with `-p provider` when needed.

---

## 🧠 How Auto-Routing Works

The skill looks at your query and picks the best provider:

```bash
"iPhone 16 price"              → Serper (shopping keywords)
"how does quantum computing work" → Tavily (research question)
"companies like stripe.com"    → Exa (URL detected, similarity)
"events in Graz this weekend"  → Perplexity (local + direct answer)
"latest news on AI"            → You.com (real-time intent)
"search privately"             → SearXNG (privacy keywords)
```

**What if it picks wrong?** Override it: `python3 scripts/search.py -p tavily -q "your query"`

**Debug routing:** `python3 scripts/search.py --explain-routing -q "your query"`

---

## 📖 Usage Examples

### Let Auto-Routing Choose (Recommended)

```bash
python3 scripts/search.py -q "Tesla Model 3 price"
python3 scripts/search.py -q "explain machine learning"
python3 scripts/search.py -q "startups like Figma"
```

### Force a Specific Provider

```bash
python3 scripts/search.py -p serper -q "weather Berlin"
python3 scripts/search.py -p tavily -q "quantum computing" --depth advanced
python3 scripts/search.py -p exa --similar-url "https://stripe.com" --category company
python3 scripts/search.py -p you -q "breaking tech news" --include-news
python3 scripts/search.py -p searxng -q "linux distros" --engines "google,bing"
```

---

## ⚙ Configuration

From CraftOS-dev/CraftBot, MIT.

More from CraftOS-dev/CraftBot