# Source: https://docs.replit.com/replitai/web-search.md

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.replit.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Web Search

> Agent searches the web and fetches current information to build apps with up-to-date information, latest documentation, and accurate details from across the internet.

export const AiPrompt = ({children}) => {
  return <CodeBlock className="relative block font-sans whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">
      <div className="pr-7">
        {children}
      </div>
    </CodeBlock>;
};

Build applications with current, real-world data using Agent's Web Search <img class="icon-svg" src="https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=a283d64b9413da03974641db179998a3" alt="Web Search icon" data-og-width="16" width="16" data-og-height="16" height="16" data-path="images/icons/web-search.svg" data-optimize="true" data-opv="3" srcset="https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=280&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=1eb5edc33fc98fa45e4f35801a88b0a7 280w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=560&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=8f7c4cbe8c3d7d80e4a1fa7af249a012 560w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=840&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=625ac9f7025135df41c727aafb94ace5 840w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=1100&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=839ca235cb82bcb265c38673ffdf62f2 1100w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=1650&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=11ef66dd786167f3a64c2f765a0948ae 1650w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=2500&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=0ccbdeb3411514252ecb90fd08706e9e 2500w" /> capabilities.

This feature overcomes knowledge cutoffs by accessing the latest information on the web. When you ask Agent to create something requiring up-to-date information, it searches the web and fetches detailed content to make your app more accurate and useful.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search-header.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=3d871ef9e82151d512203feb775e45d5" alt="Agent performing Web Search to gather current information for app development" data-og-width="1920" width="1920" data-og-height="1080" height="1080" data-path="images/replitai/web-search-header.jpg" data-optimize="true" data-opv="3" srcset="https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search-header.jpg?w=280&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=d1a54a5d2cb1448c429c0feb7f1b5230 280w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search-header.jpg?w=560&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=b94fbc724278533cfb6a4b6fc13450b6 560w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search-header.jpg?w=840&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=dee419b79620ea6c599d276d21f9a57a 840w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search-header.jpg?w=1100&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=fd8391086da94613145f8d1ec7e0c75c 1100w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search-header.jpg?w=1650&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=1ae5e1f0d6b6a77bb57adddb7465e01a 1650w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search-header.jpg?w=2500&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=f859148749cbdb8dc5a07b5f8b6e37e3 2500w" />
</Frame>

Web Search is valuable for finding the latest packages, tools, and information. This ensures your apps use current best practices and are more accurate.

## Features

Build applications with current information using Agent's Web Search. This eliminates manual research and data gathering. Whether you're creating a dashboard with financial data or building a website showcasing recent startup launches, Web Search ensures your app reflects reality.

Agent can perform the following Web Search actions:

* **Search**: Find current information, latest documentation, and real-time data from the internet
* **Content fetching**: Retrieve detailed information from specific websites and URLs
* **Source citations**: View exactly where Agent found information so you can verify and reference sources

## Usage

Web Search is enabled by default. Include keywords like "search," "research," or "use Web Search" in your prompt to trigger it.

To manually enable Web Search:

1. Open Agent in your Replit App
2. Locate the toggle controls in the chat toolbar <img class="icon-svg" src="https://mintcdn.com/replit/rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib/images/icons/agent-settings.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib&q=85&s=23a035924bb3c8c61e7ca996c76a90a1" alt="Agent settings icon" data-og-width="16" width="16" data-og-height="16" height="16" data-path="images/icons/agent-settings.svg" data-optimize="true" data-opv="3" srcset="https://mintcdn.com/replit/rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib/images/icons/agent-settings.svg?w=280&fit=max&auto=format&n=rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib&q=85&s=08dd975be952b60db564bcfedfc6f7fd 280w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib/images/icons/agent-settings.svg?w=560&fit=max&auto=format&n=rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib&q=85&s=4c35dd49157af177d8e2ea495eb6fb51 560w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib/images/icons/agent-settings.svg?w=840&fit=max&auto=format&n=rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib&q=85&s=5d87fc1ea8d58c3105dadceb194b4edb 840w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib/images/icons/agent-settings.svg?w=1100&fit=max&auto=format&n=rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib&q=85&s=6d68bbc6b654bd433f2260669ddbf03b 1100w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib/images/icons/agent-settings.svg?w=1650&fit=max&auto=format&n=rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib&q=85&s=889488d8482ad86f6bdbe4194eb648ce 1650w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib/images/icons/agent-settings.svg?w=2500&fit=max&auto=format&n=rBzGsKp9NcWJ7sib&q=85&s=ce1af7526c6290400507c309b091e5f4 2500w" />
3. Toggle <img class="icon-svg" src="https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=a283d64b9413da03974641db179998a3" alt="Web Search icon" data-og-width="16" width="16" data-og-height="16" height="16" data-path="images/icons/web-search.svg" data-optimize="true" data-opv="3" srcset="https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=280&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=1eb5edc33fc98fa45e4f35801a88b0a7 280w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=560&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=8f7c4cbe8c3d7d80e4a1fa7af249a012 560w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=840&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=625ac9f7025135df41c727aafb94ace5 840w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=1100&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=839ca235cb82bcb265c38673ffdf62f2 1100w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=1650&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=11ef66dd786167f3a64c2f765a0948ae 1650w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=2500&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=0ccbdeb3411514252ecb90fd08706e9e 2500w" /> **Web Search** on
4. Send your prompt

Agent automatically determines when to use Web Search based on your requests. Describe what you want to build, and Agent searches for current information when necessary.

### When Agent uses Web Search <img class="icon-svg" src="https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=a283d64b9413da03974641db179998a3" alt="Web Search icon" data-og-width="16" width="16" data-og-height="16" height="16" data-path="images/icons/web-search.svg" data-optimize="true" data-opv="3" srcset="https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=280&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=1eb5edc33fc98fa45e4f35801a88b0a7 280w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=560&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=8f7c4cbe8c3d7d80e4a1fa7af249a012 560w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=840&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=625ac9f7025135df41c727aafb94ace5 840w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=1100&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=839ca235cb82bcb265c38673ffdf62f2 1100w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=1650&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=11ef66dd786167f3a64c2f765a0948ae 1650w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL/images/icons/web-search.svg?w=2500&fit=max&auto=format&n=7jcTEkTXPQwUz2BL&q=85&s=0ccbdeb3411514252ecb90fd08706e9e 2500w" />

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=2b2afe9380555306e206c62084d996d4" alt="Agent interface showing Web Search results and source citations for app development" data-og-width="1920" width="1920" data-og-height="1080" height="1080" data-path="images/replitai/web-search.jpg" data-optimize="true" data-opv="3" srcset="https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search.jpg?w=280&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=0553467c29f508296641993120c27a89 280w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search.jpg?w=560&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=238a45efabc7bf0e3fa2902d1f601acf 560w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search.jpg?w=840&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=39e19bd40c384a1113c0ec36098b95ae 840w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search.jpg?w=1100&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=9b107400ac8d0777342217b6816c247d 1100w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search.jpg?w=1650&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=377fbdb58cae03a9c9234c4c703f4fc2 1650w, https://mintcdn.com/replit/0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B/images/replitai/web-search.jpg?w=2500&fit=max&auto=format&n=0UCOQvZyQpUEM03B&q=85&s=3537e81539ee92e9ab3600169edd9d89 2500w" />
</Frame>

Agent triggers Web Search when you request information that requires current data:

| Use Case                 | Example Prompt                                                                                                                              |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Finding optimal packages | "I need to build an image editor - research the best libraries for canvas manipulation and build an app"                                    |
| API research             | "Build a Discord bot that tracks GitHub commits - find the most reliable Discord.js tutorial and the best way to communicate with GitHub"   |
| Framework comparison     | "Help me decide how to implement inventory management for my shopping app. Research the best authentication solutions and their trade-offs" |
| Tool discovery           | "Create an app with smooth animations - research the best animation libraries"                                                              |
| Current market data      | "Build a crypto tracker showing today's top 10 coins with real prices"                                                                      |
| Company research         | "Make a portfolio site for Michele Catasta, president of Replit"                                                                            |
| Documentation updates    | "Build a Stripe payment form using their latest API changes"                                                                                |
| Technology trends        | "Create a developer tools dashboard - what are the trending VS Code extensions?"                                                            |

### How Web Search enhances your apps

Web Search transforms your applications from using placeholder data to incorporating real, accurate information:

| Benefit                | Description                                                        |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Up-to-date technology  | Your apps use latest information and packages not in training data |
| Best tool selection    | Agent researches options to choose optimal packages                |
| Current best practices | Access to latest development patterns and security practices       |
| Breaking limitations   | Overcome knowledge cutoffs to use packages released after training |
| Accurate data          | Your apps display current information instead of outdated examples |
| Professional results   | Applications that reference real companies appear credible         |
| Time-saving            | Avoid manually researching packages and gathering data             |

### Source citations

When Agent uses Web Search, it provides **source citations** that show exactly where the information came from. Use these citations to:

* **Verify information**: Check the reliability and accuracy of sources
* **Learn more**: Visit the original sources for more context
* **Reference sources**: Include proper attribution in your applications
* **Track research**: Understand what information informed Agent's work

### Content fetching

Agent can fetch detailed content from specific websites to gather comprehensive information for your project. This allows Agent to:

* Read entire web pages to extract relevant details
* Process documentation and reference materials
* Gather specific data points from authoritative sources
* Integrate structured information into your application

### Examples of Web Search in action

**Package discovery for image processing**

<AiPrompt>
  Build a React app that lets people apply filters to photos. Research the best image processing libraries for React and implement blur, sharpen, and vintage effects
</AiPrompt>

Agent searches for current image processing libraries, compares their features and performance, then builds the app using the most suitable tools.

<Tip>
  Web Search works best with specific, detailed requests. For technology discovery, mention your specific requirements
</Tip>

**Latest framework features**

<AiPrompt>
  Do research to understand the latest security best practices for authentication and authorization. Implement those best practices in my app.
</AiPrompt>

Agent researches the latest security best practices for authentication and authorization and implements them in your app.

**Modern API integration**

<AiPrompt>
  Build a weather app that uses the most reliable and feature-rich weather API available
</AiPrompt>

Agent researches current weather APIs, compares their features, reliability, and pricing to select the best option for your needs.

**Startup showcase website**

<AiPrompt>
  Build a website showcasing the latest Y Combinator batch startups
</AiPrompt>

Agent searches for current YC batch information and creates a site with real startup data, logos, and descriptions.

**Personal portfolio site**

<AiPrompt>
  Create a personal website for Michele Catasta, a former researcher at Stanford and President of Replit.
</AiPrompt>

Agent searches for professional information and creates an authentic portfolio with relevant experience and background.

**Travel planning app**

<AiPrompt>
  Build a trip planner for Japan with current prices and recommendations
</AiPrompt>

Agent finds up-to-date travel costs, attractions, and planning information to create a realistic travel application.

**Financial comparison dashboard**

<AiPrompt>
  Create a dashboard comparing the latest quarterly earnings of major cloud providers
</AiPrompt>

Agent searches for recent financial reports and builds a dashboard with current, accurate data visualizations.

<Warning>
  Always verify information from Web Search results, especially for critical applications. While Agent searches reputable sources, confirm important details for production applications.
</Warning>

## Next steps

Combine Web Search with other Agent features for maximum impact:

* Learn about [Agent](/replitai/agent) capabilities for building apps
* Explore [Replit AI tools](/category/replit-ai) for more development features