# Brave API Setup

> Set up Brave Search API for OpenClaw web_search. Use when user needs to configure Brave API, get Brave API key, enable web search, or fix "missing_brave_api_key" error. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/brave-api-setup` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/brave-api-setup`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/brave-api-setup/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/brave-api-setup

---


# Brave API Setup

Automates Brave Search API key extraction and OpenClaw configuration.

## Included Files

| File | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `SKILL.md` | This document |
| `scripts/apply-api-key.js` | Applies API key to OpenClaw config (Node.js) |

## Dependencies
- Node.js (for apply-api-key.js)
- OpenClaw browser capability (`browser` tool)

## When to Use

- User wants to enable `web_search` in OpenClaw
- Error: `missing_brave_api_key`
- User asks to set up Brave Search API

## Prerequisites

- User must have a Brave Search API account
- User must be logged in (openclaw browser profile)
- API key must exist in dashboard

## Workflow

### Step 1: Navigate to API keys page

```
browser(action="navigate", profile="openclaw", 
        targetUrl="https://api-dashboard.search.brave.com/app/keys")
```

### Step 2: Click reveal button (eye icon)

Take snapshot, find the reveal button, click it:
```
browser(action="act", kind="click", ref="<eye-button-ref>")
```

### Step 3: Extract key via JavaScript (avoids LLM transcription error)

```
browser(action="act", kind="evaluate", 
        fn="(() => { const cells = document.querySelectorAll('td'); for (const cell of cells) { const text = cell.textContent?.trim(); if (text && text.startsWith('BSA') && !text.includes('•') && text.length > 20) return text; } return null; })()")
```

The result field contains the exact API key.

### Step 4: Apply to config (direct file write, no LLM involved)

Relative to skill directory:

```bash
node <skill_dir>/scripts/apply-api-key.js "<extracted-key>"
```

Or use gateway config.patch with the extracted key.

## Why This Approach

**Problem**: LLM can confuse similar characters when transcribing (O vs 0, l vs 1).

**Solution**: 
1. `evaluate` extracts key via JavaScript → returns exact string
2. `apply-api-key.js` writes directly to config → bit-perfect

The key never passes through LLM text generation.

## Manual Account Setup

If user doesn't have an account:
1. Go to https://api-dashboard.search.brave.com
2. Sign up with email
3. Subscribe to Free plan (requires credit card)
4. Create API key in dashboard
5. Then run this skill

---
> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/kbarbel640-del) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.
<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-14 -->