> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://praison.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# SearchApi Tool

> Guide for using the SearchApi tool with PraisonAI agents.

The SearchApi tool lets an agent search the web through the SearchApi service.

```mermaid theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
graph LR
    subgraph "SearchApi"
        User[User] --> Agent[Agent]
        Agent --> Tool[SearchApiAPIWrapper]
        Tool --> API[SearchApi]
        API --> Result[Results]
    end

    classDef input fill:#8B0000,stroke:#7C90A0,color:#fff
    classDef process fill:#189AB4,stroke:#7C90A0,color:#fff
    classDef output fill:#10B981,stroke:#7C90A0,color:#fff

    class User,Agent input
    class Tool,API process
    class Result output
```

## Overview

The SearchApi tool is a tool that allows you to search the web using the SearchApi.

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
export SEARCHAPI_API_KEY="${SEARCHAPI_API_KEY:?Set SEARCHAPI_API_KEY in your shell}"
```

```python theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
from praisonaiagents import Agent, AgentTeam
from langchain_community.utilities import SearchApiAPIWrapper

data_agent = Agent(instructions="I am looking for the top google searches of 2025", tools=[SearchApiAPIWrapper])
editor_agent = Agent(instructions="Analyze the data and derive insights")

agents = AgentTeam(agents=[data_agent, editor_agent])
agents.start()
```

## How It Works

```mermaid theme={"theme":{"light":"vitesse-light","dark":"vitesse-dark"}}
sequenceDiagram
    participant User
    participant Agent
    participant SearchApi as SearchApiAPIWrapper
    participant API as SearchApi

    User->>Agent: "Search for X"
    Agent->>SearchApi: run(query)
    SearchApi->>API: HTTPS request
    API-->>SearchApi: results
    SearchApi-->>Agent: parsed result
    Agent-->>User: final answer
```

## Getting Started

<Steps>
  <Step title="Simple Usage">
    1. Install dependencies (see **Overview** above)
    2. Set required API keys in your environment
    3. Run the agent example in **Overview**
  </Step>

  <Step title="With Configuration">
    Use the same tool with an agent — see the **Overview** example, or pass env vars from the sections above.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Keep SEARCHAPI_API_KEY in the environment">
    Set `SEARCHAPI_API_KEY` in your shell or `.env`. `SearchApiAPIWrapper` reads it automatically — never hard-code the key.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Scope the query">
    SearchApi returns broad web results. Give the agent specific queries so it processes fewer, more relevant hits.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Handle rate limits">
    SearchApi returns HTTP 429 when the plan quota is exceeded. Wrap the call in `try/except` so the agent can fall back to another search tool.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related Tools

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Serp Search" icon="book" href="/docs/tools/external/serp-search">
    SerpAPI wrapper
  </Card>

  <Card title="Google Search" icon="book" href="/docs/tools/external/google-search">
    LangChain Google search
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tavily" icon="book" href="/docs/tools/external/tavily">
    AI-powered search
  </Card>
</CardGroup>