| name | parallel |
| description | Web research using Parallel AI. Quick web search and deep research tasks with citations. Uses native MCP tools. |
| allowed-tools | mcp__parallel-search(*), mcp__parallel-task(*) |
Parallel AI Web Research
Search the web and run deep research tasks via Parallel AI's MCP integration. If MCP tools are not available, tell the user to run /add-parallel on the host to set it up.
How It Works
Parallel AI provides two MCP servers. Look for tools prefixed with mcp__parallel-search and mcp__parallel-task.
Quick Web Search (mcp__parallel-search)
When to use: Freely, for factual lookups, current events, definitions, recent information, or verifying facts.
Speed: Fast (2-5 seconds)
Cost: Low
Permission: Not needed -- use whenever it helps answer the question
Examples:
- "Who won the 2026 Super Bowl?"
- "What's the current weather in London?"
- "Latest developments in quantum computing"
Deep Research (mcp__parallel-task)
When to use: Comprehensive analysis, learning about complex topics, comparing concepts, historical overviews, or structured research.
Speed: Slower (1-20 minutes depending on depth)
Cost: Higher
Permission: ALWAYS ask the user first before using this tool
How to ask permission:
I can do deep research on [topic] using Parallel's Task API. This will take a few minutes and provide comprehensive analysis with citations. Should I proceed?
After permission -- DO NOT BLOCK! Use scheduler instead:
- Create the task using
mcp__parallel-task__create_task_run
- Get the
run_id from the response
- Create a polling scheduled task using
mcp__nanoclaw__schedule_task:
- Prompt: Check the Parallel AI task run [run_id], send results when ready via
mcp__nanoclaw__send_message, and mark done with mcp__nanoclaw__complete_scheduled_task. If still running, do nothing (task will retry in 30s). If failed, send error and complete.
- Schedule: interval every 30 seconds
- Context mode: isolated
- Send acknowledgment to the user
- Exit immediately -- the scheduler handles polling
Choosing Between Them
Use Search when:
- Quick factual lookup or current events
- Simple definition or clarification
- Verifying specific details
Use Deep Research (with permission) when:
- User wants comprehensive analysis
- Question requires comparison or synthesis
- Historical context or evolution of concepts
- User explicitly asks to "research" or "explain in depth"
Default: Prefer search for most questions. Only suggest deep research when genuinely needed.
