Brave Search API (Direct)
Overview
This skill enables web searching using the Brave Search API directly via curl commands. No MCP server required - saves context tokens.
API Key
Environment variable: BRAVE_API_KEY
Web Search
Endpoint
GET https://api.search.brave.com/res/v1/web/search
Parameters
q(required): Search querycount(optional): Results count (1-20, default 10)offset(optional): Pagination offset
Usage
Generate and execute this curl command:
curl -s "https://api.search.brave.com/res/v1/web/search?q=QUERY&count=10" \
-H "Accept: application/json" \
-H "X-Subscription-Token: $BRAVE_API_KEY"
Example
curl -s "https://api.search.brave.com/res/v1/web/search?q=xterm.js+WebGL+tutorial&count=5" \
-H "Accept: application/json" \
-H "X-Subscription-Token: $BRAVE_API_KEY" | jq '.web.results[] | {title, url, description}'
Local Search
Endpoint
GET https://api.search.brave.com/res/v1/local/search
Usage
curl -s "https://api.search.brave.com/res/v1/local/search?q=coffee+near+Shibuya" \
-H "Accept: application/json" \
-H "X-Subscription-Token: $BRAVE_API_KEY"
Response Processing
Use jq to extract relevant fields:
# Get titles and URLs
| jq '.web.results[] | {title, url}'
# Get descriptions
| jq '.web.results[] | {title, description}'
# Get first 3 results
| jq '.web.results[:3]'
Common Workflows
Research a Technology
curl -s "https://api.search.brave.com/res/v1/web/search?q=VS+Code+extension+development+2024&count=10" \
-H "Accept: application/json" \
-H "X-Subscription-Token: $BRAVE_API_KEY" | jq '.web.results[:5] | .[] | {title, url}'
Find Error Solutions
curl -s "https://api.search.brave.com/res/v1/web/search?q=WebGL+context+lost+solution&count=10" \
-H "Accept: application/json" \
-H "X-Subscription-Token: $BRAVE_API_KEY" | jq '.web.results[] | {title, url, description}'
Notes
- URL encode spaces as
+or%20 - API key must be set in environment
- Rate limits apply per subscription tier
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