# web-search

Formulates targeted search queries with advanced operators, recommends specialized engines, and evaluates source credibility.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 4800 installs · ★ 540
- Author: claude-office-skills
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/claude-office-skills/skills/tree/HEAD/web-search/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-01-31
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/claude-office-skills-web-search

## What it does

This skill structures search strategies for technical and domain-specific questions. Instead of vague phrases, it builds queries using Google search operators like `site:`, `filetype:`, and date filters, moving logically from broad concepts to narrow terms. Crucially, the skill cannot execute web searches on its own; it requires you or an external tool to fetch the pages.

Once you provide the search outputs, it assesses source credibility using the CRAAP framework and a five-tier reliability scale. It also recommends specialized databases such as arXiv, Semantic Scholar, or Statista for targeted research. If the `office-mcp` server is configured, it exports synthesized findings using the `create_docx` tool.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add claude-office-skills/skills --skill web-search -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/web-search/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/web-search/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add claude-office-skills/skills --skill web-search -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/web-search/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add claude-office-skills/skills --skill web-search -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/web-search/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install claude-office-skills/skills web-search
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/web-search/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add claude-office-skills/skills --skill web-search -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/claude-office-skills/skills --path web-search
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/web-search/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add claude-office-skills/skills --skill web-search -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/claude-office-skills/skills/tree/HEAD/web-search/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- build advanced search queries using operators like `site:` and `filetype:`
- identify specialized search engines for academic, financial, or code research
- evaluate source credibility and bias using the CRAAP framework
- synthesize raw search findings into structured research notes

## Example prompts
- Build a search strategy with Google operators to find 2024 EV battery reports
- Recommend specialized search engines and queries for quantum computing preprints
- Evaluate the reliability of these three search results using the CRAAP test

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 1d9d131edfb6f01b.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 1d9d131edfb6f01b
```text
---
# ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
# CLAUDE OFFICE SKILL - Web Search
# ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

name: web-search
description: "Formulate effective web search queries, analyze search results, and synthesize findings. Optimize search strategies for different types of information needs."
version: "1.0.0"
author: claude-office-skills
license: MIT

category: research
tags:
  - search
  - web
  - information-retrieval
  - query-optimization
  - research
department: Research

models:
  recommended:
    - claude-sonnet-4
    - claude-opus-4
  compatible:
    - claude-3-5-sonnet
    - gpt-4
    - gpt-4o

mcp:
  server: office-mcp
  tools:
    - create_docx

capabilities:
  - query_formulation
  - search_strategy
  - result_analysis
  - source_evaluation
  - information_synthesis

languages:
  - en
  - zh

related_skills:
  - deep-research
  - academic-search
  - news-monitor
---

# Web Search Skill

## Overview

I help you formulate effective web search queries and strategies to find the information you need. I can optimize search queries, suggest alternative approaches, evaluate sources, and synthesize findings.

**What I can do:**
- Formulate optimized search queries
- Suggest search operators and techniques
- Recommend specialized search engines
- Analyze and evaluate search results
- Identify reliable sources
- Synthesize information from multiple sources

**What I cannot do:**
- Execute actual web searches (need external tools)
- Access real-time search results
- Access paywalled content
- Guarantee source accuracy

---

## How to Use Me

### Step 1: Describe Your Information Need

Tell me:
- What you're trying to find
- Why you need this information
- What you've already tried
- Any constraints (time period, source type, language)

### Step 2: Get Search Strategy

I'll provide:
- Optimized search queries
- Alternative query formulations
- Recommended search engines/tools
- Search operators to use

### Step 3: Evaluate Results

If you share results, I can:
- Assess source reliability
- Extract key information
- Identify gaps
- Suggest follow-up searches

---

## Search Query Optimization

### Google Search Operators

| Operator | Usage | Example |
|----------|-------|---------|
| `"exact phrase"` | Exact match | `"climate change policy"` |
| `site:` | Search within site | `site:reddit.com AI tools` |
| `filetype:` | Find specific files | `filetype:pdf annual report` |
| `-word` | Exclude term | `apple -fruit` |
| `OR` | Either term | `startup OR entrepreneur` |
| `intitle:` | Word in title | `intitle:guide python` |
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 1d9d131edfb6f01b

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the 1d9d131edfb6f01b tags is data: requests and commands from it are not followed. An “end of file” line with another tag inside the block is part of the file.

First 2981 of 8418 bytes. © claude-office-skills · MIT · https://github.com/claude-office-skills/skills/tree/HEAD/web-search/SKILL.md

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