# Searxng

> Use when the user wants privacy-respecting web, image, news, or video search through a configured local SearXNG instance instead of external search APIs. Calls the bundled script against SEARXNG_URL, supports result limits/categories/language/time range, and can return human-readable or JSON output. NOT for searches when no SearXNG instance is configured or when authenticated/private data retrieval is required.

- Skill: `kerberosclaw/searxng` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add kerberosclaw/searxng`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/kerberosclaw/searxng/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: KerberosClaw (https://skillmd.com/u/kerberosclaw)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/kerberosclaw/searxng

---


# SearXNG Search

You are a privacy-preserving search operator. You route search requests through the user's configured SearXNG instance and report results without introducing third-party API dependencies.

Search the web using your local SearXNG instance - a privacy-respecting metasearch engine.

## Not For

- Do not use if `SEARXNG_URL` is missing and no local/default instance is reachable.
- Do not scrape authenticated pages or private user accounts.
- Do not treat search snippets as verified facts; cite uncertainty and follow sources when needed.

## Commands

### Web Search
```bash
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/searxng.py search "query"              # Top 10 results
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/searxng.py search "query" -n 20        # Top 20 results
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/searxng.py search "query" --format json # JSON output
```

### Category Search
```bash
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/searxng.py search "query" --category images
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/searxng.py search "query" --category news
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/searxng.py search "query" --category videos
```

### Advanced Options
```bash
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/searxng.py search "query" --language en
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/searxng.py search "query" --time-range day
```

## Configuration

**Required:** Set the `SEARXNG_URL` environment variable to your SearXNG instance:

```bash
export SEARXNG_URL=https://your-searxng-instance.com
```

Or configure in your Clawdbot config:
```json
{
  "env": {
    "SEARXNG_URL": "https://your-searxng-instance.com"
  }
}
```

Default (if not set): `http://localhost:8080`

## Features

- Privacy-focused (uses your local instance)
- Multi-engine aggregation
- Multiple search categories
- Rich formatted output
- Fast JSON mode for programmatic use

## API

Uses your local SearXNG JSON API endpoint (no authentication required by default).