← Back to Skills Marketplace
Parallel Search
by
NormallyGaussian
· GitHub ↗
· v1.0.0
1894
Downloads
0
Stars
7
Active Installs
1
Versions
Install in OpenClaw
/install parallel-search
Description
AI-powered web search via Parallel API. Returns ranked results with LLM-optimized excerpts. Use for up-to-date research, fact-checking, and domain-scoped searching.
Usage Guidance
This skill appears to be what it claims (a Parallel.ai search helper) but has two small red flags you should consider before installing: (1) SKILL.md tells you to run a remote install script with curl | bash — avoid blindly piping unknown installers into a shell; instead fetch the script, inspect it, or install via a trusted package source. (2) The registry metadata did not declare the required PARALLEL_API_KEY even though the docs ask you to set it — confirm where/how the key will be stored and that the skill will only use it for the Parallel API. If you plan to use this skill: verify the installer contents from https://parallel.ai, obtain an API key from the official site, prefer running the installer in an isolated environment (VM/container) first, and avoid giving this skill access to unrelated credentials or sensitive hosts.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill
Name: parallel-search
Version: 1.0.0
The SKILL.md file contains an instruction for installing the `parallel-cli` using `curl -fsSL https://parallel.ai/install.sh | bash`. While presented as a prerequisite for the user, if an AI agent were to interpret this instruction as an executable command (a form of prompt injection), it would lead to remote code execution from an external source (parallel.ai). This `curl | bash` pattern is a high-risk operation, making the skill bundle suspicious due to the potential for arbitrary code execution, even if the intent is to install a legitimate tool.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
The SKILL.md describes a Parallel.ai search CLI and usage that matches the skill name and description. However, the registry metadata declares no required environment variables or primary credential while the instructions explicitly require a PARALLEL_API_KEY — an inconsistency that should be resolved.
Instruction Scope
Instructions direct the agent/operator to run the parallel-cli and to install it by executing a remote installer (curl https://parallel.ai/install.sh | bash). They also recommend writing results to /tmp and spawning a sub-agent to read those files. The file I/O and sub-agent behavior are reasonable for search results, but the explicit instruction to execute a remote installer and to export an API key broadens the runtime scope beyond just invoking a remote API.
Install Mechanism
No install spec in the registry, but SKILL.md recommends piping a remote install script from https://parallel.ai/install.sh into bash (curl | bash). Download-and-execute from a network host is high-risk because arbitrary code will run locally. The URL is a top-level domain matching the service homepage (parallel.ai), which is expected, but the install method still presents a substantial execution risk and should be reviewed before use.
Credentials
Registry metadata lists no required env vars, yet the SKILL.md instructs users to set PARALLEL_API_KEY=your-key. Requesting a single service API key is proportionate to a search integration, but the mismatch between declared requirements and the instructions is an incoherence that prevents automated permission review and is a practical risk (credential handling expectations unclear).
Persistence & Privilege
The skill does not request always:true, does not modify other skills, and has no declared persistent system privileges. Autonomous invocation is allowed by default (disable-model-invocation:false), which is normal; this combined with the other concerns increases blast radius but does not by itself indicate excessive privilege.
How to Use
- Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
- Run the install command in chat:
/install parallel-search - After installation, invoke the skill by name or use
/parallel-search - Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v1.0.0
Initial release
Metadata
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Parallel Search?
AI-powered web search via Parallel API. Returns ranked results with LLM-optimized excerpts. Use for up-to-date research, fact-checking, and domain-scoped searching. It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 1894 downloads so far.
How do I install Parallel Search?
Run "/install parallel-search" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.
Is Parallel Search free?
Yes, Parallel Search is completely free (open-source). You can download, install and use it at no cost.
Which platforms does Parallel Search support?
Parallel Search is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).
Who created Parallel Search?
It is built and maintained by NormallyGaussian (@normallygaussian); the current version is v1.0.0.
More Skills