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Guide · Open source

How to use Agent-Reach: install, run channels and read sources

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Agent-Reach is an open-source command-line toolkit, licensed under MIT and written in Python, that gives an AI agent access to content it cannot normally reach, such as platforms behind logins, video subtitles and Chinese platforms like Bilibili and Xiaohongshu. It installs and configures the upstream tools for each platform so the agent can call one CLI. This guide explains what it does, how to install it, the commands to know, and where its limits are.

Agent ReachPanniantong/Agent-Reach · ★ 108k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check prerequisites. Make sure Python 3.10 or later is available on your computer.
  2. 2Send the install prompt. Give your AI agent the install sentence with the GitHub install.md link from the README.
  3. 3Allow command execution. If the agent says it cannot run commands, enable command execution in its settings and let it install uv if needed.
  4. 4List channels. Run agent-reach channels to see which platforms are ready and what each can do.
  5. 5Run a search or read. Try agent-reach bilibili search with a query, or agent-reach read with a URL.
  6. 6Add a Groq key if needed. For YouTube or Xiaoyuzhou transcription, run agent-reach configure groq-key in your own terminal.

What Agent-Reach does and which platforms it covers

Claude Code, Codex, Hermes Agent and OpenClaw can search and read web pages on their own, but the README says they struggle with logged-in features, video content, Chinese platforms and clean structured data. Agent-Reach installs and tests the tools behind those platforms so the agent can use them through simple commands.

The README sorts channels into three levels. Default channels are bilibili, v2ex, github, youtube and web. Optional channels include xiaohongshu, xueqiu, boss, xiaoyuzhou, linkedin and reddit. Experimental channels are twitter, facebook and instagram, which the README says may break at any time.

  • Default: works after installation; can be removed and will not be re-added on updates.
  • Optional: enabled by asking the agent to add it; required software is installed automatically.
  • Experimental: usable, but platforms apply stricter anti-scraping, so it may stop working without notice.

Install Agent-Reach through your agent

The README's install method is to send one sentence to your AI agent, containing the install guide link from the project's GitHub repository. The agent then carries out the installation. Prerequisites listed in the analysis are Python 3.10 or later.

During setup the agent may ask you to allow it to run commands, and it may install uv, a small tool for installing command-line programs that does not need an administrator password. The agent will tell you before doing so. Use only the GitHub install.md address; the README warns that a package named agent-reach on PyPI is not this project.

  • Confirm Python 3.10 or later is available before you start.
  • Turn on command execution in the agent's settings if it says it cannot run commands.
  • Do not install from PyPI; use the GitHub link from the README.
帮我安装 Agent Reach：https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Panniantong/Agent-Reach/main/docs/install.md

Run your first search or read command

Once installed, the agent calls Agent-Reach with the pattern channel then action then parameters. The README shows three commands: list channels, search a platform, and read a URL, where the tool picks a channel based on the link.

Your agent runs these commands, but you can also run them yourself to check what is available.

  • agent-reach channels lists available channels and what each can do.
  • agent-reach bilibili search takes a query after the action name.
  • agent-reach read takes a URL and chooses the channel automatically.
agent-reach channels agent-reach bilibili search "大模型" agent-reach read https://www.v2ex.com/t/123

Add a Groq key for YouTube transcription

YouTube subtitles work without a key, but speech-to-text transcription for YouTube and Xiaoyuzhou podcasts needs a Groq or OpenAI key, according to the channel table. The README says to enter keys in your own terminal rather than pasting them into a chat.

The README's configuration command is shown below. Run it yourself in a terminal.

  • Keys are needed for transcription, not for basic YouTube search or subtitles.
  • Do not paste keys into the chat with your agent.
agent-reach configure groq-key

Manage sessions, logins and privacy

Some platforms reuse existing logins. On the first use of a site, Agent-Reach copies that site's login from your Chrome profile into its own browser session, leaving the original browser unchanged, and the README says it does not read your password store. The copied login is usually your main account, so the README suggests using a secondary account instead.

The tool is read-only: it searches and reads, and does not post, comment, like or send messages. Its dedicated browser runs in the background without pop-up windows and only accepts connections from your own computer. Session details are in the project's sessions reference.

  • Read-only: no posting, commenting, liking or direct messages.
  • Logins are copied per site; the original Chrome browser is not modified.
  • Ask the agent to switch accounts or log out of a site.

Maintain, update and uninstall

Everything Agent-Reach installs, including channel tools, logins and settings, is kept in one folder, ~/.agent-reach/. You manage it by asking the agent in plain language, for example to check status, add or remove a channel, refresh a login, upgrade, or uninstall. Uninstall lists what will be deleted and waits for your confirmation.

If something breaks, the agent reports the platform, the cause and the next step. The README links to a troubleshooting guide in docs/troubleshooting.md.

  • "看看 Agent Reach 状态": check which channels currently work.
  • "升级 Agent Reach": update the program and channel tools.
  • "卸载 Agent Reach": remove only what Agent-Reach installed, after confirmation.

What people use it for

  • Letting a coding agent search Bilibili or V2EX posts for technical discussion.
  • Pulling YouTube subtitles or transcripts into an agent workflow.
  • Reading GitHub repository READMEs, issues and pull requests with comments.
  • Checking Xueqiu stock quotes and searching stock information through an agent.
  • Giving an agent read-only access to logged-in platforms such as Xiaohongshu or Reddit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Agent-Reach free?

The README says it is open source under the MIT licence and aims to keep channels free with no API fees. Some channels need a Groq or OpenAI key for transcription, and optional channels may need a login.

What do I need to install Agent-Reach?

The analysis lists Python 3.10 or later as the prerequisite. The README's install method is to give an AI agent the install.md link so the agent handles the setup, including installing uv if it is missing.

Does Agent-Reach post or comment on my accounts?

No. The README says the tool is read-only and only searches and reads. It does not post, comment, like or send messages.

Is it safe to let it use my browser logins?

Some platforms copy your existing Chrome login for that site into a dedicated session, and the README says this is usually your main account. It suggests using a secondary account and notes the agent never asks for your password.

Why does a platform stop working?

Experimental platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are stricter about automated access and the README says they may break at any time. The project replaces upstream tools when platforms change, and the troubleshooting guide covers common failures.

Should I install the agent-reach package from PyPI?

No. The README warns that the PyPI package named agent-reach is not this project, so install only from the GitHub install.md address.

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Our verdict

Agent-Reach suits developers and CLI-agent users who want read-only access to Bilibili, V2EX, GitHub, YouTube subtitles and other sources a normal search cannot reach. It is a poor fit if you need to post or message on platforms, want guaranteed stability on experimental sites, or are uncomfortable with an agent reusing browser logins.

Install options & downloads