Google Search (Serper.dev)

Google Search powered by Serper.dev API — 9 search types: web, news, images, videos, places, shopping, scholar, patents, autocomplete. Returns Knowledge Grap...

Security Scan

The skill's code, instructions, and required credential (SERPER_API_KEY) are consistent with its stated purpose of calling the Serper.dev Google-search API; nothing in the bundle requests unrelated secrets or installs arbitrary third-party binaries.

Purpose & Capability

The name/description match the implementation: the scripts call https://google.serper.dev endpoints for the listed search types. One minor inconsistency: the registry metadata at the top of the report lists "Required env vars: none / Primary credential: none," while package.json and SKILL.md declare SERPER_API_KEY as the primary environment variable — the key is required for the stated purpose and appears in code.

Instruction Scope

SKILL.md instructs the agent to run the included Node script, parse results, and optionally use web_fetch on promising links. All operations described are within the scope of performing web searches and follow-ups; the only external transmissions are search queries to serper.dev and optional fetches of result URLs.

Install Mechanism

There is no install spec that downloads arbitrary code. This is effectively an instruction+script skill: it expects Node.js 18+ (native fetch) and runs local TypeScript via npx/tsx. No remote installers, URL-shortened downloads, or archive extraction are present.

Credentials

The only sensitive item required is SERPER_API_KEY, which is appropriate and necessary to call Serper.dev. The earlier registry metadata omission of this env var is an inconsistency in the package manifest/registry listing (but not a functional problem in the files). No other credentials or broad config paths are requested.

Persistence & Privilege

The skill does not request always:true and does not modify other skills or system-wide settings. It can be invoked by the agent (normal behavior) but does not demand permanent elevated presence.

Assessment

This skill appears to do what it says: it sends queries to https://google.serper.dev using the SERPER_API_KEY. Before installing, verify you are comfortable sending your search queries to Serper.dev (queries and any included sensitive text will leave your environment). Ensure you set SERPER_API_KEY in your environment (package.json and SKILL.md require it). Note the registry metadata in the submission omitted the required env var — that mismatch is likely a packaging oversight but double-check the manifest presented by your installer. Be mindful of credit usage (free tier limits and shopping costs 2 credits) and that the agent may fetch external result links (web_fetch) which can retrieve arbitrary remote content. If you want stricter control, limit agent autonomy or review the included scripts locally before enabling the skill.

Google Search Skill

Google Search powered by Serper.dev API. Replaces Brave Search with richer results including Knowledge Graph, Answer Box, People Also Ask, and specialized search types.

When to Use

Use this skill for any Google search request. Auto-detect intent:

• Default → search
• "news about X" / "latest X" → news
• "images of X" / "pictures of X" → images
• "videos of X" / "how to X video" → videos
• "restaurants near X" / "X near me" → places
• "how much does X cost" / "buy X" → shopping (⚠️ 2 credits — only when explicitly requested)
• "papers on X" / "research about X" → scholar
• "patents for X" → patents
• "suggestions for X" → suggest

Usage

SCRIPT_DIR="~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/google-search/scripts"

# Web search (default)
npx tsx $SCRIPT_DIR/google-search.ts search "query" [--num 10] [--time day|week|month|year] [--country us] [--lang en]

# Specialized
npx tsx $SCRIPT_DIR/google-search.ts news "query" [--num 10]
npx tsx $SCRIPT_DIR/google-search.ts images "query"
npx tsx $SCRIPT_DIR/google-search.ts videos "query"
npx tsx $SCRIPT_DIR/google-search.ts places "query"
npx tsx $SCRIPT_DIR/google-search.ts shopping "query"
npx tsx $SCRIPT_DIR/google-search.ts scholar "query" [--year 2023]
npx tsx $SCRIPT_DIR/google-search.ts patents "query"
npx tsx $SCRIPT_DIR/google-search.ts suggest "query"
npx tsx $SCRIPT_DIR/google-search.ts credits

Add --json to any command for raw JSON output.

Setup

Requires a free API key from Serper.dev:

1. Sign up at https://serper.dev (2,500 free searches included)
2. Copy your API key from the dashboard
3. Add to your environment: export SERPER_API_KEY=your_key_here

If the key is missing, remind the user to sign up at serper.dev — it's free and takes 30 seconds.

Workflow

1. Run the appropriate search command
2. Parse the formatted output
3. If deeper content is needed, use web_fetch on promising links
4. Credit balance is shown in every response — monitor usage
5. Shopping costs 2 credits — only use when user explicitly asks for prices/shopping

Time Filters

--time accepts: hour, day, week, month, year (or h, d, w, m, y)

Notes

• Rate limit: 5 req/sec on free tier
• All searches cost 1 credit except shopping (2 credits)
• Results include rich data: Knowledge Graph, Answer Box, People Also Ask, Related Searches