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

1. 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

1. 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

1. Prefer compare mode for research-sensitive tasks:

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

1. 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