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pipepi

brave-api-free-search

by pipe · GitHub ↗ · v1.0.8 · MIT-0
cross-platform ✓ Security Clean
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Install in OpenClaw
/install brave-api-free-search
Description
Free Brave API alternative for OpenClaw. Completely FREE web search. Secure localhost-only deployment. Supports hidden --dev flag.
README (SKILL.md)

💰 Brave API Free Search (Secure)

✅ 100% FREE

Python Dependency

The runtime scripts require the Python package requests.

Install if missing:

pip install requests

✅ Localhost-only deployment
✅ Limiter + safe_search enabled

Dev mode available:

python scripts/install.py --dev

⚠ Dev mode disables safe_search and limiter (reduced safety). For local development only.

Powered by local-search-pro.

⚠ Installation deploys a persistent Docker container (searxng-local) with --restart unless-stopped. To remove it:

docker rm -f searxng-local
Usage Guidance
This skill appears to do what it says: it launches a local SearXNG Docker container and queries it. Before installing: (1) review and trust the Docker image (searxng/searxng) — it's pulled from Docker Hub at runtime; (2) be aware the installer creates a persistent container (--restart unless-stopped) and provides docker rm -f searxng-local to remove it; (3) avoid using the --dev flag unless you understand that safe_search and the rate limiter are disabled; (4) do not set SEARXNG_BASE_URL to an untrusted remote endpoint — the scripts will send your queries to whatever base URL is configured; (5) run the installer in an environment where running Docker is acceptable (container will bind to 127.0.0.1:8080). If you want higher assurance, inspect the remote Docker image contents or run the image in an isolated VM before exposing it to your workflows.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill Name: brave-api-free-search Version: 1.0.8 The skill bundle provides a functional implementation of a local search service using SearXNG via Docker. The installation script (scripts/install.py) correctly binds the service to localhost (127.0.0.1) for security, and the search script (scripts/search.py) performs standard API queries. All persistent behaviors, such as the Docker container's restart policy, are clearly disclosed in SKILL.md, and no evidence of malicious intent, data exfiltration, or obfuscation was found.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
Name/description, required binaries (docker, python3), and included scripts align with deploying and querying a local SearXNG instance as a free local search alternative. Minor wording mismatch: SKILL.md says 'Powered by local-search-pro' but the implementation uses the official searxng Docker image.
Instruction Scope
Runtime instructions are narrowly scoped to creating a settings.yml, launching a Docker container (searxng/searxng) bound to 127.0.0.1:8080, and querying it. However the scripts read the SEARXNG_BASE_URL environment variable (not declared in requires.env) which allows redirecting requests to an arbitrary endpoint if set — this could cause queries to be sent to a remote host. The hidden/dev mode intentionally disables safe_search and rate limiter; SKILL.md warns about this but it's a safety-relevant option.
Install Mechanism
This is an instruction-only skill (no external install spec). At runtime the install script pulls the Docker image searxng/searxng from Docker Hub and creates a persistent container with --restart unless-stopped. Pulling an image from Docker Hub is expected for this functionality; no obscure download URLs or archives are used.
Credentials
The skill declares no required environment variables or credentials (appropriate). But the scripts accept SEARXNG_BASE_URL to override the target, and this environment var is not listed in requires.env. That gives a way to direct queries to an arbitrary remote endpoint. No secrets are requested, which is proportionate.
Persistence & Privilege
The install script intentionally deploys a persistent Docker container using --restart unless-stopped; the skill is not always:true and does not modify other skills. Persistence is expected for a local service but you should be aware the container will survive reboots until removed manually.
How to Use
  1. Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
  2. Run the install command in chat: /install brave-api-free-search
  3. After installation, invoke the skill by name or use /brave-api-free-search
  4. Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v1.0.8
Remove required env (SEARXNG_BASE_URL optional). Declare Python dependency: requests.
v1.0.7
Add persistence notice (Docker container runs persistently). Clarify uninstall command.
v1.0.6
Declare SEARXNG_BASE_URL env var and clarify dev mode safety impact.
v1.0.5
Declare required binaries (docker, python3) in metadata. Improve registry accuracy.
v1.0.4
Sync with [email protected] (SearXNG 2026 compatibility fix).
v1.0.3
- Added support for a hidden --dev flag in install script for development mode. - Updated documentation (SKILL.md) to describe --dev flag usage. - Cleaned up feature list and descriptions for clarity.
v1.0.2
brave-api-free-search v1.0.2 - Updated to enforce secure, localhost-only deployment. - Limiter and safe search are now enabled by default. - Skill description and documentation clarify improved security and deployment approach. - Now explicitly states it does not expose any public services.
v1.0.1
- Updated description to highlight that the skill is now powered by local-search-pro. - Revised documentation to clarify differences from built-in web_search and to promote local-search-pro for advanced users. - Removed health check from Quick Start and emphasized simplified setup steps. - Added a section outlining additional features available with local-search-pro. - Minor content restructuring and wording improvements for clarity.
v1.0.0
- Initial release of brave-api-free-search. - Provides a free, self-hosted alternative to the Brave API for OpenClaw web search. - No Brave API key required and zero recurring monthly cost. - Uses SearXNG as the backend for searches. - Designed as a drop-in replacement for the built-in web_search skill without modifying global configuration.
Metadata
Slug brave-api-free-search
Version 1.0.8
License MIT-0
All-time Installs 2
Active Installs 2
Total Versions 9
Frequently Asked Questions

What is brave-api-free-search?

Free Brave API alternative for OpenClaw. Completely FREE web search. Secure localhost-only deployment. Supports hidden --dev flag. It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 696 downloads so far.

How do I install brave-api-free-search?

Run "/install brave-api-free-search" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.

Is brave-api-free-search free?

Yes, brave-api-free-search is completely free, licensed under MIT-0. You can download, install and use it at no cost.

Which platforms does brave-api-free-search support?

brave-api-free-search is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).

Who created brave-api-free-search?

It is built and maintained by pipe (@pipepi); the current version is v1.0.8.

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