# Exa Best Practices

> Reference guide for Exa search tools. Covers tool selection, citation standards, search optimization, and troubleshooting. Also useful as background context for improving search quality.

- Skill: `exa-labs/exa-best-practices` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add exa-labs/exa-best-practices`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/exa-labs/exa-best-practices/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: exa-labs (https://skillmd.com/u/exa-labs)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/exa-labs/exa-best-practices

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# Exa Best Practices

## Tool Selection

| Need | Tool | When |
|------|------|------|
| Web search | `web_search_exa` | Current info, news, research, general questions, code examples |
| Read a URL | `web_fetch_exa` | Extract content from a known URL |

## Citation Standards

When using Exa search results, always cite sources:

- **Inline citations**: Every fact or claim should reference its source
- **Source URLs**: Include the actual URL, not just the title
- **Sources section**: End responses with a list of all sources used
- **Never fabricate URLs**: Only cite URLs that appear in search results

## Search Quality Tips

1. **Natural language queries** work better than keyword stuffing
2. **Be specific** — include dates, names, versions when relevant
3. **Multiple queries** with different phrasings improve coverage
4. **Adjust result count** to match the depth needed (3-5 quick, 10-20 deep)

## Getting Started

1. Get your API key at https://dashboard.exa.ai/api-keys
2. Add the MCP server in Cursor Settings → MCP
3. Start searching with `/exa-search` or `/exa-fetch`

## Troubleshooting

- **Tools not available**: Check if the Exa MCP server is installed. If `web_search_exa` or `web_fetch_exa` are not in your tool list, stop and request the user to: (1) run `/exa-setup` in Cursor to add the MCP server, and (2) go to **Cursor Settings → Tools & MCP** and make sure Exa is toggled **on** (green).
- **No results**: Try rephrasing the query or broadening search terms