How to use the Smart Search Router agent skill (smart-search)

What is an agent skill and what does smart-search do?

An agent skill is a folder of instructions and reference files that an AI agent loads when a task matches its description. The skill is described in a SKILL.md file, with supporting files in a references folder.

smart-search is built around the idea of routing. When you ask the agent to search, research or look something up, the skill tells it to first pick a data source based on the topic and context, then run OpenCLI commands to read live results. The skill's main goal is to locate the right source rather than memorise commands, so the agent reads the live OpenCLI help instead of relying on written command details that may be out of date.

• Picks one AI source by default (grok, doubao or gemini) when you do not name a site.
• Adds one or two specialist sites when the AI answer lacks raw data, authority or vertical results.
• Limits how often each site is queried: each AI site at most once per question, and each non-AI site at most twice.
• Ends the answer with a short search summary listing the sites used, the search terms and the number of calls.

Install the smart-search skill from a ZIP file

Download the smart-search ZIP from this page, then unzip it. You can install it in one of two ways, depending on how you run your agent.

For Claude Code style setups, unzip the folder into your personal skills directory ~/.claude/skills/, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder if you want the skill only for that project.

In the Claude apps, you can instead upload the skill under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

• Personal install: place the smart-search folder inside ~/.claude/skills/.
• Project install: place the smart-search folder inside the project's .claude/skills/ folder.
• Claude apps: upload the skill under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

Check that OpenCLI works before you start

The skill depends on the OpenCLI command-line tool. Before using it, confirm that OpenCLI is installed and that the following command runs without errors. The skill itself requires this check to pass.

If the command fails, the skill cannot pick live sources, so fix OpenCLI first. The skill also expects the agent to be able to run shell commands.

• OpenCLI must be installed and working.
• The agent must be able to run shell commands.
• Some sites may need a browser or a login session, depending on the site.

How to trigger the skill with natural requests

You do not need a special command to use the skill. Describe a search or research task in plain language. The skill's description covers requests to search, query, look up or research information with OpenCLI, CLI or API tools, especially when a named website, social media, tech material, news, shopping, travel, jobs, finance or Chinese content is involved.

If you want a particular site, name it in your request. If you do not, the skill chooses one based on language and context. Specific requests give better routing: include the topic, what you want back, and any time range, region or platform.

• Name a site: "Search Bilibili for beginner reviews of mechanical keyboards."
• Ask for research: "Research what people are saying about this product launch this week."
• Ask for Chinese sources: "Find Chinese discussion about apartment hunting in Shanghai."
• Ask for job or shopping results: "Look for AI product manager job postings in Shanghai from the past month."

Example searches and what the skill does with them

The skill's reference files include examples of well-formed AI queries. A good query combines the topic, what you want to know, and a limit such as a time range, region, language or platform.

For a Chinese product question, the skill would typically start with doubao, since it suits Chinese context and lifestyle content. For a real-time English discussion on social media, it would typically start with grok. For a general background question, it would typically start with gemini or use wikipedia as a specialist source.

• Topic + question: "MacBook Air value for money, main opinions in Chinese discussion".
• Topic + time range: "Shanghai AI product manager hiring trends, Chinese information from the past month".
• Topic + platform: "Nintendo Switch 2 rumours, latest discussion on X".
• Topic + output requirement: "Sensitive-skin sunscreen recommendations, common pros and cons".

Safety notes: scripts and network access

The skill runs scripts and uses the network. Queries are sent to the websites and AI services that OpenCLI reaches, which are third parties. Do not use it for searches that involve private or sensitive personal information.

Some sites require a browser or login sessions. The skill depends on these, so it is not suited to environments where site logins or browser sessions are not allowed.

The skill is also not necessary for simple questions the agent can answer from its own knowledge, because it adds several lookup steps and external calls.

• Runs scripts: yes.
• Uses network: yes.
• Do not put private or sensitive personal details into queries.
• Do not use it where OpenCLI is not installed or where logins and browser sessions are not allowed.

Tips for better results

Write queries as topic plus goal plus limits rather than single keywords. Avoid bare nouns, hot topics without a time range, and shopping or job questions without a region.

The skill caps repeated searches, so if the first result is too broad, a second search on a non-AI site should have a clear reason, such as adding a time range, region, category or keyword. The skill also reports skipped sites and gaps in coverage, which helps you judge the answer.

• Add a time range such as "this week" or "past month".
• Name the platform when you care about social media.
• Ask for the sources or search terms used, since the summary lists them.
• If a site is unavailable, the skill falls back to a similar site and says so.