duckduckgo-search-skill

name	duckduckgo-search-skill
description	Search the web using DuckDuckGo for free, privacy-focused results with no API key required.
allowed-tools	duckduckgo_search
metadata	{"author":"opencompany","version":"2.0","category":"search"}

DuckDuckGo Search Skill

This skill enables free web search via DuckDuckGo. No API key required.

For premium search providers, see the dedicated skills:

• brave-search-skill - Brave Search API (independent index, privacy-focused)
• serper-search-skill - Serper API (Google-powered, news/images/places)
• perplexity-search-skill - Perplexity Sonar AI (synthesized answers with citations)

How It Works

This skill provides instructions and context. To execute web searches, connect the DuckDuckGo Search node to the agent's input-tools handle.

web_search Tool

Search the web using DuckDuckGo and get relevant results.

Schema Fields

Field	Type	Required	Description
query	string	Yes	The search query to look up on the web

Node Parameters

Parameter	Default	Description
maxResults	5	Number of results to return

Examples

Basic search:

{
  "query": "latest news about artificial intelligence"
}

Factual search:

{
  "query": "population of Tokyo 2024"
}

Current events:

{
  "query": "weather forecast New York today"
}

Technical search:

{
  "query": "how to use Python asyncio gather"
}

Response Format

{
  "query": "artificial intelligence news",
  "results": [
    {
      "title": "AI Breakthrough in Medical Research",
      "snippet": "Researchers have developed a new AI model that can predict...",
      "url": "https://example.com/ai-medical-research"
    },
    {
      "title": "OpenAI Announces New Model",
      "snippet": "The company revealed its latest advancement in...",
      "url": "https://example.com/openai-announcement"
    }
  ],
  "provider": "duckduckgo"
}

When to Use DuckDuckGo Search

Use DuckDuckGo search when the user asks about:

1. Current events and news - Recent happenings, breaking news, current affairs
2. Real-time data - Stock prices, weather, sports scores, exchange rates
3. Recent information - Events, releases, or changes after your knowledge cutoff
4. Specific facts - Population, statistics, dates that may have changed
5. Technical documentation - Latest API docs, library versions, tutorials
6. Local information - Business hours, addresses, phone numbers
7. Product information - Prices, availability, reviews

When NOT to Use DuckDuckGo Search

Avoid searching when:

1. General knowledge - Well-established facts that won't change
2. Simple calculations - Use the calculator tool instead
3. Creative tasks - Writing, brainstorming, analysis
4. Personal advice - Relationship, life decisions
5. Subjective opinions - Preferences, recommendations without factual basis

Choosing the Right Search Provider

Need	Recommended Provider	Tool Node
Free search, no API key	DuckDuckGo	DuckDuckGo Search
Google-quality results	Serper	Serper Search
News, images, places	Serper	Serper Search
Privacy-focused, independent	Brave	Brave Search
AI-synthesized answers	Perplexity	Perplexity Search
Research with citations	Perplexity	Perplexity Search

Search Query Best Practices

Do:

• Use specific, focused queries
• Include relevant keywords
• Add context like dates, locations, or names
• Break complex questions into simpler searches

Don't:

• Use overly long queries (keep under 10 words when possible)
• Include unnecessary words like "please" or "can you tell me"
• Ask questions as full sentences (use keywords instead)

Examples of Good vs Bad Queries

Bad Query	Good Query
"Can you please tell me what the weather is like in London today?"	"London weather today"
"I want to know about the latest iPhone model and its features"	"iPhone 16 Pro specifications"
"What is happening in the stock market right now?"	"stock market news today"

Handling Results

1. Summarize the key findings from search results
2. Cite sources when providing specific information
3. Indicate uncertainty if results are conflicting or unclear
4. Suggest follow-up searches if the initial results are insufficient
5. Combine multiple searches for comprehensive answers

Limitations

• DuckDuckGo uses the ddgs library (free, no API key)
• Results depend on DuckDuckGo's index
• Some recent events may not be indexed immediately
• Paywalled content may show limited snippets
• Results are in English by default

Setup Requirements

1. Connect this skill to the agent's input-skill handle
2. Connect the DuckDuckGo Search node to the agent's input-tools handle
3. No API key required for DuckDuckGo