internet-research

name	internet-research
description	Expert internet research using Tavily and Brave Search. Use when the user needs current information beyond knowledge cutoff, real-time data (prices, stats, news), fact verification, documentation lookups, latest package versions, or current events.

Internet Research Skill

This skill provides Claude Code with expert-level internet research capabilities using two complementary MCP servers: Tavily (AI-native search, extraction, crawling) and Brave Search (multimedia search, news, local).

Prerequisites

• Tavily MCP server configured in user scope
• Brave Search MCP server configured in user scope
• TAVILY_API_KEY and BRAVE_API_KEY environment variables set in your shell profile

Setup (if not already done):

# Add Tavily MCP to user scope
claude mcp add tavily --scope user \
  -e TAVILY_API_KEY='${TAVILY_API_KEY}' \
  -- npx -y tavily-mcp@latest

# Add Brave Search MCP to user scope
claude mcp add brave-search --scope user \
  -e BRAVE_API_KEY='${BRAVE_API_KEY}' \
  -- npx -y @brave/brave-search-mcp-server

# Verify both are configured
claude mcp list

When to Use This Skill

Invoke this skill when the user needs:

• Current information beyond your knowledge cutoff
• Real-time data (prices, stats, news)
• Verification of facts or claims
• Documentation lookups
• Latest version information for packages/tools
• Current events or recent developments

Task-Based Tool Routing

These two servers are complementary tools with different jobs, not competing alternatives. Route by task type:

Task	Tool	Why
Technical docs, APIs, coding questions	mcp__tavily__tavily_search	AI-native, token-efficient results
General/casual web search	mcp__brave-search__brave_web_search	Equal free quota (1,000/mo)
Image search	mcp__brave-search__brave_image_search	Brave exclusive
Video search	mcp__brave-search__brave_video_search	Brave exclusive
News search	mcp__brave-search__brave_news_search	Brave exclusive
Local business search	mcp__brave-search__brave_local_search	Brave exclusive
Extract content from URLs	mcp__tavily__tavily_extract	Tavily exclusive
Crawl a website	mcp__tavily__tavily_crawl	Tavily exclusive
Map a website's structure	mcp__tavily__tavily_map	Tavily exclusive
Deep multi-source research	mcp__tavily__tavily_research	Tavily exclusive
Either server's quota exhausted	The other one	Fallback

Available Tools — Tavily

mcp__tavily__tavily_search

AI-native web search. Returns pre-cleaned, structured, LLM-optimized results. Best for technical and coding queries.

Parameters:

• query (required): Search terms
• search_depth (optional): "basic" | "advanced" | "fast" | "ultra-fast" (default: "basic")
• max_results (optional): Number of results (default: 5, max: 20)
• time_range (optional): "day" | "week" | "month" | "year"
• include_domains (optional): Array of domains to include
• exclude_domains (optional): Array of domains to exclude
• country (optional): Boost results from specific country

mcp__tavily__tavily_extract

Extract clean content from URLs in markdown or text format.

Parameters:

• urls (required): Array of URLs to extract content from
• extract_depth (optional): "basic" | "advanced" (use advanced for LinkedIn, protected sites)
• format (optional): "markdown" | "text" (default: "markdown")

mcp__tavily__tavily_crawl

Crawl a website with configurable depth and breadth.

Parameters:

• url (required): Root URL to begin crawling
• max_depth (optional): How far from base URL (default: 1)
• limit (optional): Total links to process (default: 50)

mcp__tavily__tavily_map

Map a website's structure, returning discovered URLs.

Parameters:

• url (required): Root URL to begin mapping

mcp__tavily__tavily_research

Comprehensive multi-source research with AI synthesis.

Parameters:

• input (required): Description of the research task
• model (optional): "mini" | "pro" | "auto" (default: "auto")

Available Tools — Brave Search

mcp__brave-search__brave_web_search

General web search. Best for routine queries and preserving Tavily credits.

Parameters:

• query (required): Search terms
• count (optional): Number of results (default: 10, max: 20)
• offset (optional): Pagination offset

mcp__brave-search__brave_image_search

Image search — only available via Brave.

mcp__brave-search__brave_video_search

Video search — only available via Brave.

mcp__brave-search__brave_news_search

News search with freshness controls — only available via Brave.

mcp__brave-search__brave_local_search

Local business/place search — only available via Brave.

Search Strategy

Step 1: Formulate Effective Queries

• Be specific: "Next.js 14 app router migration guide" > "nextjs help"
• Include year for current info: "React best practices 2026"
• Use quotes for exact phrases: "useEffect cleanup function"

Step 2: Route to the Right Tool

Use the task-based routing table above. Key rules:

• Coding/docs/APIs → tavily_search (AI-native quality matters here)
• Images/video/news/local → Brave (only option)
• General web search → brave_web_search (preserves Tavily credits)
• URL content extraction → tavily_extract (cleaner than WebFetch)
• Deep research → tavily_research (built-in multi-source synthesis)

Step 3: Analyze Results

• Check source credibility (official docs > random blogs)
• Verify date freshness
• Cross-reference if critical

Step 4: Synthesize Response

• Summarize key findings
• Cite sources with URLs
• Note any conflicting information
• Indicate confidence level

Example Queries

User Request	Tool	Effective Query
"How to use React Server Components"	Tavily Search	"React Server Components tutorial 2026"
"Find images of the new MacBook"	Brave Image	"MacBook Pro 2026"
"Latest tech news today"	Brave News	"technology news today"
"What restaurants are near Union Square"	Brave Local	"restaurants Union Square"
"Research WebAssembly limitations"	Tavily Research	"Current state of WebAssembly support and limitations"
"What's the weather in Chicago"	Brave Web	"weather Chicago today"
"Extract the API docs from this URL"	Tavily Extract	(pass URL)

Response Format

When presenting research results:

## Research Results

**Query:** [what you searched for]

### Key Findings

1. **[Finding 1]**
   - Details...
   - Source: [URL]

2. **[Finding 2]**
   - Details...
   - Source: [URL]

### Summary

[Concise synthesis of findings]

### Sources
- [Source 1](URL)
- [Source 2](URL)

Error Handling

If Tavily fails:

1. Check if TAVILY_API_KEY is set
2. Fall back to mcp__brave-search__brave_web_search
3. Fall back to knowledge cutoff information with disclaimer

If Brave fails:

1. Check if BRAVE_API_KEY is set
2. Fall back to mcp__tavily__tavily_search
3. Fall back to built-in WebSearch

Quota Management

Server	Free Tier	Best For
Tavily	1,000 credits/mo	Technical/coding queries, extraction, crawling, research
Brave	1,000 queries/mo ($5 free credits)	General web search, images, video, news, local

• Route by task to maximize value from both free tiers
• Combined: ~2,000 queries/month with no waste
• Be efficient with queries — cache results mentally within conversation