# Webfetch Patterns

> Fetch web content via Gemini CLI when direct access fails. Triggers on WebFetch 403/blocked errors, Reddit URLs, or sites with bot protection. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/webfetch-patterns` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/webfetch-patterns`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/webfetch-patterns/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/webfetch-patterns

---


# Gemini CLI Web Bridge

## Execution Model

Run as **subagent** to isolate tmux noise from main session.

**Output contract:** Return ONLY raw content wrapped in `<data_transfer>` tags, then terminate immediately. No logs, no status updates, no commentary.

## Protocol

### 1. Init Session

```bash
S="fetch_$(date +%s)"
tmux new-session -d -s "$S" -x 200 -y 50
tmux send-keys -t "$S" 'gemini' Enter
sleep 2
```

### 2. Send Request

```bash
tmux send-keys -t "$S" "Fetch and return full text from: [URL]. No summaries." Enter
```

### 3. Poll Until Complete

Loop until `READY` or `FAILURE`. Wait 3s between polls, max 15 attempts.

```bash
tmux capture-pane -t "$S" -p | awk '
  /Type your message/ {print "READY"; exit}
  /[Rr]ate.[Ll]imit|[Qq]uota/ {print "FAILURE:THROTTLED"; exit}
  /[Ss]ign.[Ii]n|[Ll]ogin/ {print "FAILURE:AUTH"; exit}
  /Internal error|unexpected/ {print "FAILURE:ERROR"; exit}
  END {print "PENDING"}
'
```

#### Stuck in PENDING? Visual State Check

Capture pane and inspect where YOUR QUERY appears relative to the input box:

**Enter NOT sent** — query is INSIDE the bordered box:

```
╭─────────────────────────────────────╮
│ > Your query text here              │
╰─────────────────────────────────────╯
```

→ Fix: `tmux send-keys -t "$S" Enter`

**Enter WAS sent** — query is OUTSIDE box, activity below:

```
> Your query text here
⠋ Working...
╭─────────────────────────────────────╮
│ > Type your message                 │
╰─────────────────────────────────────╯
```

→ Keep polling. For complex queries, extend max attempts to 30.

### 4. Extract & Return

```bash
tmux capture-pane -t "$S" -p -S -1500 > /tmp/"$S".txt
cat /tmp/"$S".txt
tmux kill-session -t "$S"
rm /tmp/"$S".txt
```

Parse the Gemini response from captured output. Strip tmux UI artifacts (boxes, prompts, spinners). Return only the substantive content:

```
<data_transfer>
[extracted content only]
</data_transfer>
```

## Failure Handling

On any `FAILURE:*` status or max poll timeout:

```
<data_transfer>
ERROR: [reason] - Unable to fetch [URL]
</data_transfer>
```

---
> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/jasondocton) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.
<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-13 -->