# Exa Tools
> Executes semantic web search via Exa AI Python CLI. Use when searching for current information, code examples, API documentation, finding similar pages, or generating AI answers with citations. Supports fast/deep/neural search.
- Skill: `bsamiee/exa-tools` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add bsamiee/exa-tools`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/bsamiee/exa-tools/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Docs & Writing
- Author: bsamiee (https://skillmd.com/u/bsamiee)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/bsamiee/exa-tools
---
# [H1][EXA-TOOLS]
>**Dictum:** *Semantic search surfaces relevant content.*
Execute Exa AI search queries via Python CLI. API key auto-injected via 1Password.
[IMPORTANT] Exa 2.0 introduced three search tiers: `fast` (sub-350ms), `auto` (balanced), `deep` (agentic, highest quality). Default: `auto`.
---
## [1][COMMANDS]
| [CMD] | [ARGS] | [RETURNS] |
| ------------ | ---------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| search | ` [type] [num]` | Web results with text content |
| code | ` [num]` | GitHub code context |
| find-similar | ` [num]` | Pages similar to given URL |
| answer | `` | AI-generated answer with sources |
---
## [2][USAGE]
```bash
# Web search (default: auto type, 8 results)
uv run .claude/skills/exa-tools/scripts/exa.py search "Vite 7 new features"
# Neural search for concepts
uv run .claude/skills/exa-tools/scripts/exa.py search "Effect-TS best practices" neural
# Fast search for quick lookups
uv run .claude/skills/exa-tools/scripts/exa.py search "React 19 release notes" fast 15
# Deep search for highest quality
uv run .claude/skills/exa-tools/scripts/exa.py search "Nx workspace optimization" deep
# Code context search (GitHub)
uv run .claude/skills/exa-tools/scripts/exa.py code "React useState hook examples"
# Code search with custom results
uv run .claude/skills/exa-tools/scripts/exa.py code "Effect pipe examples" 20
# Find similar pages
uv run .claude/skills/exa-tools/scripts/exa.py find-similar "https://effect.website/docs/guides/essentials/pipeline"
# AI answer with citations
uv run .claude/skills/exa-tools/scripts/exa.py answer "What are the breaking changes in Vite 7?"
```
---
## [3][ARGUMENTS]
**search**: ` [type] [num]`
- `query` — Search query (required)
- `type` — Search type: `auto`, `neural`, `keyword`, `fast`, `deep` (default: `auto`)
- `num` — Number of results (default: `8`)
**code**: ` [num]`
- `query` — Code search query (required)
- `num` — Number of results (default: `10`)
**find-similar**: ` [num]`
- `url` — Source URL to find similar pages for (required)
- `num` — Number of results (default: `10`)
**answer**: ``
- `query` — Question to answer with web sources (required)
---
## [4][OUTPUT]
Commands return: `{"status": "success|error", ...}`.
| [INDEX] | [CMD] | [RESPONSE] |
| :-----: | -------------- | ---------------------------- |
| [1] | `search` | `{query, results[]}` |
| [2] | `code` | `{query, context[]}` |
| [3] | `find-similar` | `{url, results[]}` |
| [4] | `answer` | `{query, answer, sources[]}` |
---
## [5][ENVIRONMENT]
| [VAR] | [REQUIRED] | [DESCRIPTION] |
| ------------- | ---------- | -------------------------------- |
| `EXA_API_KEY` | Yes | Exa API key (1Password injected) |
---
## [6][ERROR_HANDLING]
- HTTP errors print `[ERROR] : ` and exit 1
- Rate limit (429): retry after `Retry-After` header value
- Invalid API key: `[ERROR] 401: Unauthorized`
- Empty results: returns `{"status": "success", "results": []}` (not an error)