Gemini Web Search & Research Skill

Use Google's Gemini CLI for web search, URL deep-dive analysis, and multi-source synthesis. This provides grounded web search with source citations.

When to Use This Skill

Trigger when user:

•Uses /gemini command explicitly
•Asks to "search the web" or "look up online"
•Wants to analyze or summarize a URL/webpage
•Needs to synthesize information from multiple sources
•Asks "what does the web say about..."
•Wants to combine local files with web research
•Requests "find information about..." or "research..."

Prerequisites

Gemini CLI must be installed and authenticated:

bash

# Check installation
which gemini

# Verify authentication
gemini --version

Workflow

Step 1: Ask User for Mode

ALWAYS ask the user which mode to use:

Use AskUserQuestion with these options:

•Web Search - Search the web for a topic/question
•URL Deep-Dive - Fetch and analyze a specific URL
•Multi-Source Synthesis - Search multiple topics and synthesize findings
•Local + Web - Combine local file(s) with web search

Step 2: Gather Input

Based on mode, collect:

Mode	Required Input
Web Search	Search query/question
URL Deep-Dive	URL + question about content
Multi-Source Synthesis	Multiple topics/questions to research
Local + Web	File path(s) + search query

Step 3: Execute Search

Mode 1: Web Search

bash

gemini -y "Search the web and answer this question: USER_QUERY

Requirements:
- Provide a comprehensive answer based on current web sources
- Include source URLs for every major claim
- Format as clean markdown
- List all sources at the end with URLs"

Mode 2: URL Deep-Dive

bash

gemini -y "Analyze this webpage: URL_HERE

Question: USER_QUESTION

Requirements:
- Extract relevant information to answer the question
- Quote key passages when helpful
- Provide source URL in your response"

Mode 3: Multi-Source Synthesis

bash

gemini -y "Research and synthesize information on these topics:
1. TOPIC_1
2. TOPIC_2
3. TOPIC_3

Requirements:
- Search the web for each topic
- Identify key findings and themes across sources
- Note any contradictions or debates
- Provide comprehensive synthesis with source URLs for each claim
- List all sources at the end"

Mode 4: Local + Web

bash

gemini -y --include-directories /path/to/files "Using @/path/to/local/file.ext as context, search the web to answer: USER_QUERY

Requirements:
- Ground your search in the context from the local file
- Find supporting or contrasting web sources
- Compare local content with web findings
- Include source URLs for web claims"

Step 4: Output Handling

After search completes:

•Display results directly to user in terminal
•Ask if user wants to save to markdown file
•If yes, save to: gemini_search_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.md in current directory

Command Reference

Basic Web Search

bash

# Simple search
gemini -y "Search the web for: QUERY. Include source URLs."

# Detailed research
gemini -y "Conduct thorough web research on: TOPIC

Provide:
- Key findings (with source URLs)
- Different perspectives if they exist
- Recent developments
- Summary of sources"

URL Analysis

bash

# Summarize a webpage
gemini -y "Summarize the main points from: URL_HERE. Include the source URL."

# Answer question about URL
gemini -y "Based on URL_HERE, answer: QUESTION. Cite specific passages."

# Extract specific information
gemini -y "From URL_HERE, extract all information about: TOPIC"

Multi-Source Research

bash

# Compare sources
gemini -y "Search the web and compare different perspectives on: TOPIC

Include:
- At least 3 different sources
- Points of agreement
- Points of disagreement
- Source URLs for each perspective"

# Comprehensive research
gemini -y "Conduct comprehensive research on: TOPIC

Cover:
- Background and context
- Current state
- Key debates or issues
- Recent developments
- Future outlook
- All source URLs"

Local + Web Combined

bash

# Fact-check local document
gemini -y --include-directories /path "Using @/path/document.pdf as reference, search the web to verify the claims made. List which claims are supported, which are contradicted, and which need more evidence. Include source URLs."

# Extend local research
gemini -y --include-directories /path "Based on @/path/notes.md, search for additional recent research on these topics. What new developments exist? Include source URLs."

# Compare local vs web
gemini -y --include-directories /path "Compare the information in @/path/report.pdf with current web sources. What's consistent? What's outdated? What's missing? Include source URLs."

Usage Examples

Example 1: Web Search

code

User: /gemini

Claude asks: Which mode?
User: Web Search

Claude asks: What would you like to search for?
User: Latest developments in mRNA vaccine technology

Claude executes:
gemini -y "Search the web for the latest developments in mRNA vaccine technology (2025-2026).

Requirements:
- Focus on recent breakthroughs and clinical trials
- Include source URLs for every major claim
- Format as clean markdown
- List all sources at the end with URLs"

Claude displays results and asks: Save to file?

Example 2: URL Deep-Dive

code

User: /gemini

Claude asks: Which mode?
User: URL Deep-Dive

Claude asks: What URL and what question?
User: https://example.com/article - What are the main arguments?

Claude executes:
gemini -y "Analyze this webpage: https://example.com/article

Question: What are the main arguments presented?

Requirements:
- Extract and summarize the key arguments
- Quote relevant passages
- Note the source URL"

Example 3: Local + Web

code

User: /gemini

Claude asks: Which mode?
User: Local + Web

Claude asks: Which file(s) and what search query?
User: Use my paper draft.pdf to find supporting research online

Claude executes:
gemini -y --include-directories /Users/bk/docs "Using @/Users/bk/docs/draft.pdf as context, search for recent peer-reviewed research that supports or extends the findings in this paper. Include source URLs for all citations."

AskUserQuestion Template

When triggered, ask:

code

Question 1: "Which search mode would you like to use?"
Options:
- Web Search (search the web for a topic)
- URL Deep-Dive (analyze a specific webpage)
- Multi-Source Synthesis (research multiple topics)
- Local + Web (combine local files with web search)

Then based on mode:

Web Search:

code

Question: "What would you like to search for?"
(Free text input)

URL Deep-Dive:

code

Question: "What URL would you like to analyze, and what's your question about it?"
(Free text input)

Multi-Source Synthesis:

code

Question: "What topics would you like to research and synthesize? (List multiple)"
(Free text input)

Local + Web:

code

Question: "Which local file(s) should I use, and what should I search for online?"
(Free text input)

Output Format

All responses should include:

•Answer/Summary - Main findings in clean markdown
•Source Citations - URL for each major claim inline
•Sources List - Complete list of URLs at the end

Example format:

markdown

## Summary

[Main findings here with inline citations]

According to [Source Name](URL), the key finding is...

## Key Points

- Point 1 ([source](URL))
- Point 2 ([source](URL))

## Sources

1. [Title 1](URL1)
2. [Title 2](URL2)
3. [Title 3](URL3)

Saving Output

When user wants to save:

•Generate filename: gemini_search_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.md
•Save to current working directory
•Confirm: "Saved search results to: /path/to/gemini_search_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.md"

Alternative naming by topic:

•gemini_search_[topic_slug].md
•gemini_url_[domain].md
•gemini_synthesis_[date].md

Error Handling

Error	Solution
Not authenticated	Run `gemini` interactively to login
URL not accessible	Check URL is valid and publicly accessible
File not found	Verify file path, use `--include-directories`
Rate limited	Wait and retry, or reduce query complexity
Timeout	Break into smaller queries

Tips

•Be specific: More specific queries get better results
•Request citations: Always ask for source URLs in prompt
•Use local context: Combining local files improves relevance
•Check recency: Ask for recent sources when timeliness matters
•Verify sources: Cross-reference important claims across sources

Limitations

•Requires internet connection and Google AI access
•Web search results depend on Gemini's search capabilities
•Some URLs may be blocked or inaccessible
•Rate limits apply (check Google AI quota)
•Very long documents may need chunked processing
•Cannot access paywalled content