Imported from binglius/claw-search (SKILL.md). Install upstream with npx skills add binglius/claw-search. Copyright stays with the author.

claw-search Skill Documentation

For OpenClaw Agent

This plugin provides web search capabilities using a self-hosted SearXNG instance.

Available Tools

The plugin registers 6 search tools that are automatically available to the agent:

1. search

General web search across multiple search engines.

Tool name: search

When to use:

• User asks to search for something
• User wants to find information
• User needs web results
• General queries like "search for X", "find Y", "look up Z"

Parameters:

• query (string, required): Search query
• count (number, optional): Number of results (1-100, default: 10)

Example queries:

• "Search for quantum computing"
• "Find information about Docker"
• "Look up OpenClaw documentation"
• "What is SearXNG?"

Returns:

• Formatted list of search results
• Each result includes: title, URL, snippet
• Related search suggestions when available

Response format:

Found 10 results for "query":

1. **Result Title**
   https://example.com
   Snippet text describing the result...

2. **Another Result**
   https://example2.com
   More information about this result...

Related: related query, another query

2. search_news

Time-filtered news search.

Tool name: search_news

When to use:

• User asks for news
• User wants recent/latest information
• User mentions current events
• Queries like "news about X", "latest Y", "recent Z"

Parameters:

• query (string, required): News topic
• count (number, optional): Number of results (default: 10)
• timeRange (string, optional): Time filter
  • pd = past day (24 hours)
  • pw = past week (7 days) - default
  • pm = past month (30 days)
  • py = past year (365 days)

Example queries:

• "Find latest AI news"
• "What's the news about quantum computing?"
• "Recent breakthroughs in medicine"
• "Show me today's tech news"

Returns:

• News articles with publish dates
• Formatted with date indicators
• Titles, URLs, and snippets

Response format:

Found 5 news articles for "AI":

1. **AI Breakthrough Announced**
   https://news.example.com
   📅 2/14/2026
   Scientists achieve new milestone in AI research...

2. **New AI Regulations**
   https://news2.example.com
   📅 2/13/2026
   Government proposes framework...

3. search_images

Image search with URLs and metadata.

Tool name: search_images

When to use:

• User asks for images/pictures/photos
• User wants to find visual content
• Queries like "show me X", "find images of Y", "pictures of Z"

Parameters:

• query (string, required): Image search query
• count (number, optional): Number of images (default: 10)

Example queries:

• "Find sunset images"
• "Show me pictures of cats"
• "Search for OpenClaw logo"
• "Images of quantum computers"

Returns:

• Image URLs (full resolution)
• Thumbnail URLs
• Source URLs
• Titles

Response format:

Found 8 images for "sunset":

1. **Golden Sunset Over Ocean**
   🖼️  https://images.example.com/sunset1.jpg
   📐 Thumbnail: https://images.example.com/thumb1.jpg
   🌐 Source: https://example.com

2. **Mountain Sunset**
   🖼️  https://images.example.com/sunset2.jpg
   📐 Thumbnail: https://images.example.com/thumb2.jpg
   🌐 Source: https://example2.com

Usage Guidelines

How to Use in Conversations

Example 1: General Search

User: "Search for quantum computing"

Agent should:

1. Call search tool with { query: "quantum computing" }
2. Present results clearly
3. Offer to dig deeper if needed

Example 2: News Search

User: "What's the latest AI news?"

Agent should:

1. Call search_news tool with { query: "AI" }
2. Present news with dates
3. Summarize key points

Example 3: Image Search

User: "Find sunset pictures"

Agent should:

1. Call search_images tool with { query: "sunset" }
2. Present image URLs
3. Offer to refine search

Best Practices

1. Format results nicely

• Use numbered lists
• Include titles and URLs
• Show snippets when relevant
• Use emojis for visual clarity (🔍 📰 🖼️ 📅)

2. Handle errors gracefully

If search fails:
"I couldn't complete the search. The SearXNG instance might be unavailable. 
Please check if it's running at http://localhost:8888"

3. Limit results by default

• Show 5-10 results initially
• Offer to show more if user wants
• Don't overwhelm with too many results

4. Understand context

• "Latest" / "recent" → use search_news
• "Pictures" / "images" → use search_images
• General queries → use search

5. Offer follow-up

• "Would you like more results?"
• "Should I search for something more specific?"
• "Need details on any of these?"

Response Examples

Good response:

I found several results about quantum computing:

1. **Quantum Computing Explained**
   https://example.com/quantum
   An introduction to quantum computing principles...

2. **Latest Advances**
   https://example.com/advances
   Recent breakthroughs in quantum technology...

Would you like more details on any of these, or should I search for something more specific?

Not ideal:

Here are the results: [raw data dump]

Configuration

The plugin reads configuration from OpenClaw config:

{
  "baseUrl": "http://localhost:8888",
  "maxResults": 10,
  "language": "en",
  "safesearch": 0,
  "timeout": 15
}

Configuration is managed by the user. As an agent, you just use the tools.

Privacy Reminders

When discussing search with users:

• ✅ Emphasize it's their private SearXNG instance
• ✅ No tracking or logging
• ✅ All searches stay on their infrastructure
• ✅ Complete control and privacy

This is a privacy-focused tool. Respect that philosophy.

Error Handling

If a search fails:

1. Don't expose technical details
2. Provide helpful guidance
3. Suggest checking SearXNG status

Example:

"I'm having trouble reaching the search service. 
Please check if SearXNG is running at http://localhost:8888"

Not:

"Error: ECONNREFUSED at fetch() line 42..."

Tool Discovery

These tools are automatically registered when the plugin loads.

OpenClaw makes them available based on:

• Plugin enabled status
• Agent tool allowlists (if configured)
• Tool execution policies

You don't need to manually enable them - just use them naturally based on user requests.

Integration Notes

• Installation: Via openclaw plugins install
• Configuration: Via OpenClaw config file
• Tool registration: Automatic on plugin load
• Availability: Immediate after gateway restart

Remember: These tools empower privacy-conscious users. Present them as the private, self-hosted alternative they are meant to be.

Use them naturally, format results nicely, and help users get the information they need while respecting their privacy choices.

4. search_videos

Search for videos from YouTube, Vimeo, and other platforms.

Tool name: search_videos

When to use:

• User asks for videos
• User wants video tutorials or demonstrations
• Queries like "show me X video", "find Y tutorial", "watch Z"

Parameters:

• query (string, required): Video search query
• count (number, optional): Number of results (default: 10)

Example queries:

• "Find Python tutorial videos"
• "Show me quantum computing lectures"
• "Search for cooking videos"
• "TED talks about AI"

Returns:

• Video titles and URLs
• Thumbnails when available
• Publish dates when available
• Brief descriptions

Response format:

Found 5 videos for "Python tutorials":

1. **Python for Beginners - Full Course**
   🎬 https://youtube.com/watch?v=...
   📸 Thumbnail: https://...
   📅 1/15/2026
   Learn Python from scratch...

2. **Advanced Python Programming**
   🎬 https://youtube.com/watch?v=...
   Master Python with this comprehensive guide...

5. search_repos

Search for code repositories on GitHub, GitLab, and other platforms.

Tool name: search_repos

When to use:

• User asks for code, libraries, or repositories
• User wants to find open source projects
• Queries like "find X library", "search for Y project", "code for Z"

Parameters:

• query (string, required): Repository search query
• count (number, optional): Number of results (default: 10)

Example queries:

• "Find React repositories"
• "Search for Python machine learning projects"
• "Look up Docker alternatives"
• "Best Node.js frameworks"

Returns:

• Repository names and URLs
• Descriptions
• Related information (stars, language, etc. when available)

Response format:

Found 5 repositories for "React":

1. **facebook/react**
   💻 https://github.com/facebook/react
   A declarative, efficient, and flexible JavaScript library for building user interfaces...

2. **vercel/next.js**
   💻 https://github.com/vercel/next.js
   The React Framework for Production...

6. quick_answer

Get a direct answer to a factual question.

Tool name: quick_answer

When to use:

• User asks a factual question
• User wants a quick, direct answer
• Queries starting with "what is", "who is", "when did", "how many"

Parameters:

• query (string, required): Question to answer
• count (number, optional): Number of results (default: 10)

Example queries:

• "What is quantum computing?"
• "Who is the CEO of OpenAI?"
• "When was Python created?"
• "How many countries in the world?"

Returns:

• Direct answer when available (prioritized)
• Search results as fallback
• Source URLs

Response format:

💡 Direct answer: Quantum computing is a type of computation that harnesses quantum mechanical phenomena...

Found 5 results for "what is quantum computing":

1. Quantum Computing Explained
   https://example.com/quantum
   Quantum computing uses qubits instead of classical bits...

2. Introduction to Quantum Computing
   https://example.com/intro
   Learn the basics of quantum mechanics and computing...

Best for:

• Factual questions with clear answers
• Definitions and explanations
• Historical facts
• Statistical information

Tool Selection Guidelines

Help the agent choose the right tool:

Version History

• v1.1.0: Added search_videos, search_repos, quick_answer
• v1.0.2: Migrated to TypeScript
• v1.0.1: Fixed news search time_range issue
• v1.0.0: Initial release with search, search_news, search_images

Remember: All 6 tools use your private SearXNG instance. Emphasize privacy and self-hosting when appropriate.