SearXNG Web Search

Search the web using a self-hosted SearXNG instance. This skill provides access to web search results through the SearXNG JSON API, with built-in rate limiting, error handling, and result formatting.

When to Use

Use this skill when you need to:

• - Find current information or recent news
• Research topics beyond your knowledge cutoff
• Look up documentation or technical references
• Verify facts or check current status
• Find URLs or resources on specific topics
• Search for code examples or solutions

Configuration

Set the SEARXNG_URL environment variable to your SearXNG instance:

CODEBLOCK0

Or use the default (http://localhost:8888) if not set.

Usage

Execute the search script with your query:

CODEBLOCK1

Advanced Options

Pass additional parameters as JSON:

CODEBLOCK2

Available options:

• - category - Filter by category: general, news, images, videos, it, science
• INLINECODE2 - Time filter: day, week, month, year
• INLINECODE3 - Language code (default: en)
• INLINECODE4 - Number of results to return (default: 5)

Output Format

The script returns formatted search results as text:

CODEBLOCK3

Error Handling

The script handles common errors gracefully:

• - Network timeouts (30s timeout)
• SearXNG unavailable (clear error message)
• Invalid queries (error details)
• Rate limiting (429 responses)
• Empty results (informative message)

Rate Limiting

The script implements basic rate limiting:

• - Minimum 1 second between requests
• Uses filesystem-based state (.searxng-last-request)
• Prevents accidental spam

Examples

Basic Search

News Search

Technical Search

Recent Results Only

Troubleshooting

"SEARXNG_URL not set"

• - Set the environment variable: INLINECODE6

Connection timeout

• - Check that SearXNG is running: INLINECODE7
• Verify firewall settings
• Check service status: INLINECODE8

Empty results

• - Try a broader query
• Remove filters and try again
• Check SearXNG logs: INLINECODE9

Rate limit errors

• - Wait a few seconds between searches
• The script enforces minimum 1s delay automatically

Implementation Notes

The search script (scripts/search.clj) uses:

• - babashka.http-client for HTTP requests
• Clojure's cheshire.core for JSON parsing
• Filesystem-based rate limiting
• 30-second timeout with proper error messages
• Result scoring and sorting for best results first

For detailed API documentation, see references/api-guide.md.