ModelRefs / Web Search Tool — Tool Pattern
Web Search Tool — Tool Pattern
Expose live web search and page fetch as a tool, returning ranked URLs and cleaned text for grounded answers. Wraps a search API plus a fetch/extract step.
Overview
Wraps a search API plus a fetch/extract step. The model can ask for fresh information beyond its training cut-off and cite the sources it consulted.
When to use it: You need fresh, citable information from the open web.
Pattern details
| Pattern class | retrieval |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | intermediate |
| Invocation mode | asynchronous |
| Also known as | browse tool, search the web tool |
| Last reviewed | 2026-06-07 |
Known failure modes
- Low-quality source — Model cites a spammy page. Mitigation: Allow/blocklists, source authority signals.
- Rate limit — Search API throttles bursts. Mitigation: Backoff + cache + per-conversation quota.
When not to use it
- Letting the model auto-execute scripts from fetched pages.
Continue your research
Use these connected ModelRefs sections to compare alternatives, inspect implementation paths, and review the evidence and governance boundaries relevant to Web Search Tool — Tool Pattern.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use the Web Search Tool tool pattern?
You need fresh, citable information from the open web.
What are common failure modes of Web Search Tool?
Low-quality source • Rate limit
Is Web Search Tool production-ready?
Yes when paired with the safety controls and observability hooks documented on the pattern page.