name: multi-search-engine description: Build auditable search URLs across Chinese and global engines with region/language filters, advanced operators, time scopes, privacy-first options, compare mode, and no API keys. version: 2.1.0 metadata: openclaw: requires: bins: - python3 config: - config.json - resources/engine-catalog.json install: [] emoji: "🔎" homepage: https://clawhub.com/skills/multi-search-engine

Multi Search Engine v2.1.0

A search orchestration skill for OpenClaw that helps the agent choose engines, build safe search URLs, compare results across engines, and explain why a given engine is appropriate.

This version turns the skill from a static engine list into a reusable toolkit with:

• engine aliases and region-aware selection
• advanced operator composition (site:, filetype:, exact phrase, exclusion, OR groups)
• time scopes where the engine supports them
• compare mode for multi-engine research
• privacy-first presets
• command-line helper script that outputs json, markdown, or plain text
• explicit safety guidance for direct web access

When to use this skill

Use this skill when the user wants to:

1. search the same query on multiple engines
2. bias toward Chinese vs global engines
3. use privacy-first engines
4. build advanced search operators reliably
5. compare engine coverage before opening pages
6. prepare direct web_fetch or browser URLs without needing an API key

Recommended workflow

1. Normalize the user's research intent:

   • broad web search
   • China-focused search
   • privacy-first search
   • docs / code / paper / file search
   • calculation / fact query

2. Pick engines deliberately:

   • China / local web: Baidu, Sogou, 360, Toutiao, WeChat
   • Global general: Google, Bing INT, Brave, Yahoo
   • Privacy-first: DuckDuckGo, Startpage, Brave, Qwant
   • Knowledge / computation: WolframAlpha
   • Community / niche finance: Jisilu

3. Build the query using operators only when they help:

   • site: for source restriction
   • filetype: for PDFs / docs
   • quotes for exact phrase
   • -term for exclusion
   • OR for alternatives

4. Prefer compare mode for research-sensitive tasks:

   • one privacy engine
   • one mainstream engine
   • one region-specific engine if relevant

5. Open only the most promising result pages after inspecting generated URLs.

Direct script usage

python3 scripts/build_search_urls.py --query "openclaw skills" --engine google
python3 scripts/build_search_urls.py --query "量化投资" --preset cn-research --time week --format markdown
python3 scripts/build_search_urls.py --query "react hooks" --site github.com --exact "useEffect" --compare google,ddg,brave
python3 scripts/build_search_urls.py --query "100 USD to CNY" --engine wolframalpha --format json

Typical OpenClaw usage

User asks for recent AI papers as PDFs
→ build a Google / Brave compare query
→ add filetype:pdf and time scope
→ inspect URLs before opening pages

Security and privacy

• This skill does not require API keys.
• It does not execute remote code.
• It only generates deterministic search URLs from local templates.
• Network access happens only when the agent explicitly opens the generated URLs.
• Search engines may log requests; use privacy presets when that matters.

Files

• SKILL.md — primary instructions and metadata
• README.md — install, scenarios, examples, FAQ, risks
• scripts/build_search_urls.py — URL builder and compare helper
• resources/engine-catalog.json — engine definitions, aliases, capabilities
• resources/search-operator-cheatsheet.md — operator reference
• examples/example-prompt.md — prompt patterns for agents
• tests/smoke-test.md — manual smoke coverage
• SELF_CHECK.md — self-audit and release checklist