name: claude-search
description: Search the web using Anthropic Claude's web search tool for up-to-date documentation, best practices, comparisons, and troubleshooting. Use when the user needs current information with citations. Requires an Anthropic API key and web search enabled.

Claude Search Skill

Use Anthropic Claude's web search tool via the Messages API to perform read-only web research with citations.

When to Use

• The user asks for current docs, best practices, or library comparisons
• The user needs up-to-date troubleshooting or security guidance
• The user requests sources, links, or citations
• The topic is time-sensitive (news, releases, versions, policies)

Prerequisites

• ANTHROPIC_API_KEY is set
• Web search is enabled for the org/project in the Anthropic Console
• Use a model that supports web search (check Anthropic docs for the current list)

Basic Usage

Step 1: Frame the Research Query

• Be specific about the goal and scope
• Prefer official documentation and authoritative sources
• Add date constraints when recency matters

Step 2: Call the Messages API with the Web Search Tool

curl https://api.anthropic.com/v1/messages \
  -H "x-api-key: $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" \
  -H "anthropic-version: 2023-06-01" \
  -H "content-type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "MODEL_NAME",
    "max_tokens": 1000,
    "messages": [
      {"role": "user", "content": "Research: [QUERY]. Provide a concise answer and cite sources."}
    ],
    "tools": [
      {
        "type": "web_search_20250305",
        "name": "web_search",
        "max_uses": 3,
        "allowed_domains": ["example.com"]
      }
    ]
  }'

Step 3: Present Results with Citations

• Summary: direct answer in 2-3 sentences
• Key findings: bullet points with citations
• Sources: list of URLs referenced

Domain Filtering and Location

• Use allowed_domains or blocked_domains to constrain sources
• Use user_location to bias results toward a region when needed
• Increase max_uses for broader coverage (keep it minimal to reduce cost)

Best Practices

• Prefer official docs, standards bodies, and vendor sources
• Request dates in the response for time-sensitive info
• Ask for alternative approaches if multiple options exist
• Keep the prompt explicit about citation requirements

Error Handling

• If web search is not enabled, ask the user to enable it in the Anthropic Console
• If the model lacks web search support, switch to a supported model
• If results are thin, broaden the query or remove domain filters

Related Skills

• codex-search for OpenAI Codex CLI web search
• claude-ask for read-only codebase understanding
• claude-exec for code modifications