Web Search & Extract
Web Search & Extract
Start with meaning, then move to detail.
This lesson explains Web Search & Extract as part of getting started with Hermes correctly. You will learn what it does, when it matters, and the smallest safe test that proves it works.
If you are new, do not memorize names. Focus on three questions: what problem does this solve, what access does it need, and how can you verify the result?
For practice, inspect the first example, identify its effects, run it on test data, and compare the result with the source claim.
For advanced readers, inspect Backends, How webextract handles long pages, When truncation gets in the way, then verify failure modes and version compatibility.
No prior experience is required; follow the steps on a safe test setup first.
A clear outcome before you read.
- Understand Web Search & Extract without assumed prior knowledge.
- Separate the source description from what still needs testing in your environment.
- Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.
Short definitions before the details.
- Provider
- The service that runs or provides access and authentication to a model.
- Tool
- A structured action the agent can call to read or change something.
Search the web and extract page content with multiple backend providers — including free self-hosted SearXNG.
What does the source say, and in what order?
- 01Backends
Start here to understand the core idea or structure.
- 02How webextract handles long pages
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 03When truncation gets in the way
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 04Setup
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 05Quick setup via hermes tools
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 06Firecrawl (default)
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 07SearXNG (free, self-hosted)
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 08Option A — Self-host with Docker (recommended)
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 09Option B — Use a public instance
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 10Pair SearXNG with an extract provider
Finish here to verify the result and special cases.
Copy only after you understand the effect.
hermes tools# ~/.hermes/.env
FIRECRAWL_API_KEY=fc-your-key-here# ~/.hermes/.env
FIRECRAWL_API_URL=http://localhost:3002Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.
Match every command to your installed Hermes version, review the files and accounts it can reach, and use non-sensitive data for the first test. If this explanation differs from the source, the official source wins.