Firecrawl MCP Server

Firecrawl web search

firecrawl_search

Read-only

Use this when you need current or specific information from the web: recent events, latest releases and versions, prices, people and companies, statistics, or any fact that may have changed since your training data or that you are not sure of. Returns ranked results with query-relevant highlights; each web result is a title, URL, and description. Operators include quoted phrases, -term, site:host, inurl:term, intitle:term, and related:host; the set is non-exhaustive. includeDomains and excludeDomains are mutually exclusive hostname filters; categories limit result types to research, pdf, developer, or gov.

For a programming question, add categories: ["developer"]. It searches an index of public repositories, GitHub issues, merged pull requests, repository READMEs, and code documentation, and returns the results in data.web with category: "developer".

For a legal or regulatory question, categories: ["gov"] returns results in data.web with category: "gov" and cannot be combined with other categories; authenticated sessions also have firecrawl_gov_search as the dedicated tool. Verify gov results' issuer, jurisdiction, status, and version before citing current law.

Authenticated search combines web results, semantic tool summaries and domain matches. Use sources: ["alexandria"] for semantic tools only. Authenticated searches always add alexandria to the sources, so sources: ["web"] also returns providers; domainTools: false turns off website-matched tools only. On an authenticated session, tool matches describe available structured-data capabilities, not executed data. toolDetail: "compact" (default) returns only provider, capability and description; "summary" adds metadata; "full" includes their input and output contracts. firecrawl_scrape with an alexandria body executes a selected capability; firecrawl_find_tools provides catalogue browsing and full contracts.

Returns result groups in data and an operation id.

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description
`tbs`	No
`limit`	No
`query`	Yes	Query for web and semantic tool discovery. Operators include quoted phrases, `-term`, `site:host`, `inurl:term`, `intitle:term`, and `related:host`; the set is non-exhaustive. Catalogue browsing is available through firecrawl_find_tools.
`filter`	No
`sources`	No	Search sources; authenticated sessions default to web + alexandria, keyless sessions to web only. Authenticated searches always add alexandria to the sources, so sources: ["web"] also returns providers; domainTools: false turns off website-matched tools only. enterprise zdr or anon searches do not add it. Use ["alexandria"] alone for provider discovery without web results.
`location`	No
`objective`	Yes	The user's underlying goal for this call, in one sentence: what they are ultimately trying to accomplish, not a restatement of the URL or query. Reuse it across related calls. Avoid sensitive information.
`categories`	No	Limit results to specific source types. `research` restricts ordinary web results to research-affiliated websites and returns page snippets, which is separate from the `firecrawl_research_*` tools that search paper abstracts and full text across biomedical (PubMed, bioRxiv, medRxiv) and arXiv literature; `pdf` searches PDF results; `developer` searches an index built for coding agents over public repositories, GitHub issues, merged pull requests, repository READMEs, and code documentation; `gov` searches the Government Index of US federal, state, and local legal and regulatory sources, the index behind firecrawl_gov_search, and cannot be combined with other categories; gov hits can include historical versions, bill text, agency guidance, and third-party reproductions, so verify the issuer, jurisdiction, enacted/effective status, and version before citing current governing law, clarify a missing jurisdiction or ambiguous as-of date, and use general search for non-US questions or missing coverage (no hits does not establish that no applicable law exists). `developer` and `gov` return hits in `data.web` with `category` set to their name; the other categories also filter `data.web`.
`enterprise`	No
`highlights`	No	Return query-relevant page excerpts for web and news results when available (default). Highlights appear in web `description` and news `snippet`; otherwise, original snippets are returned. Set to false to keep the original search snippets.
`toolDetail`	No	Compact by default. Compact returns only provider, capability and description; full includes contracts. Inspect selected compact tools with firecrawl_find_tools providers and capabilities.
`domainTools`	No	Include domain-matched tools for result URLs. Defaults to true when Alexandria is combined with web, news or images; semantic-only search leaves domain matching off.
`scrapeOptions`	No	Fetches the full page of every web result in the same call, and each fetched result is billed as a scrape. Leave it unset unless the task needs the full text of a few results: highlights usually answer, and firecrawl_scrape can fetch only the URLs you need. These fetches ignore maxAge, so use firecrawl_scrape for a live fetch. scrapeOptions fetches web pages, never Alexandria provider tools.
`conversationId`	No	conversationId from any earlier Firecrawl tool result in this conversation; after parallel calls, any one of theirs. Omit only on the first call of a conversation; the result returns one to pass on every later call.
`excludeDomains`	No	Hostnames to leave out of results. Mutually exclusive with includeDomains.
`includeDomains`	No	Hostnames to restrict results to. Mutually exclusive with excludeDomains.

Output Schema

Name	Required	Description
`id`	No	Search identifier, for optional `firecrawl_search_feedback`.
`data`	No	Ranked results grouped by source, such as `web`, `news`, `images`, and `alexandria`. Each result carries its `source` and a 1-indexed `position` within that group; pass those pairs to `firecrawl_search_feedback`.
`error`	No	Error message or error object when the call did not succeed.
`tools`	No	Domain-matched Alexandria tools for the results.
`success`	No	Whether the API call succeeded.
`warning`	No	Non-fatal warning about the result.
`nextTool`	No	A follow-up tool call that continues this search.
`agent_hints`	No	Optional response guidance from the Firecrawl API.
`creditsUsed`	No	Credits this search consumed.
`feedbackTool`	No	Pointer to the feedback tool for this search.
`conversationId`	No	Pass on later Firecrawl calls in this conversation.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed1 schema field changedNov 5, 2026
- changedInput schema / properties / scrapeOptions / properties / jsonOptions / properties / schema / additionalProperties
```
Previous value: -{}New value: +true
```

Changed2 schema fields changedOct 31, 2026

addedInput schema / properties / conversationId

Added value: +{
+  "description": "conversationId from any earlier Firecrawl tool result in this conversation; after parallel calls, any one of theirs. Omit only on the first call of a conversation; the result returns one to pass on every later call.",
+  "pattern": "^[0-9a-fA-F]{8}-[0-9a-fA-F]{4}-[1-8][0-9a-fA-F]{3}-[89abAB][0-9a-fA-F]{3}-[0-9a-fA-F]{12}$",
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / conversationId

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Pass on later Firecrawl calls in this conversation.",
+  "type": "string"
+}

Changed1 schema field changedOct 27, 2026
- changedInput schema / properties / scrapeOptions / properties / jsonOptions / properties / schema / additionalProperties
```
Previous value: -falseNew value: +{}
```

Changed1 schema field changedOct 27, 2026

changedOutput schema / properties / data / description

Previous value: -"Ranked results grouped by source, such as `web`, `news`, `images`, and `alexandria`."New value: +"Ranked results grouped by source, such as `web`, `news`, `images`, and `alexandria`. Each result carries its `source` and a 1-indexed `position` within that group; pass those pairs to `firecrawl_search_feedback`."

Changed1 schema field changedOct 21, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / scrapeOptions / description

Previous value: -"Attach page content for web results in the same call. These fetches ignore maxAge, so use firecrawl_scrape when you need a live fetch. scrapeOptions fetches web pages, never Alexandria provider tools."New value: +"Fetches the full page of every web result in the same call, and each fetched result is billed as a scrape. Leave it unset unless the task needs the full text of a few results: highlights usually answer, and firecrawl_scrape can fetch only the URLs you need. These fetches ignore maxAge, so use firecrawl_scrape for a live fetch. scrapeOptions fetches web pages, never Alexandria provider tools."

Changed1 schema field changedOct 17, 2026

changedInput schema / required

Previous value: -[
-  "query"
-]New value: +[
+  "query",
+  "objective"
+]

Changed1 schema field changedOct 17, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / sources / description

Previous value: -"Search sources; authenticated sessions default to web + alexandria, keyless sessions to web only. A search with sources: [\"web\"] omits semantic provider discovery; domainTools: true can still return website-matched tools. Web-only results use domainTools: false. Use [\"alexandria\"] alone for provider discovery without web results."New value: +"Search sources; authenticated sessions default to web + alexandria, keyless sessions to web only. Authenticated searches always add alexandria to the sources, so sources: [\"web\"] also returns providers; domainTools: false turns off website-matched tools only. enterprise zdr or anon searches do not add it. Use [\"alexandria\"] alone for provider discovery without web results."

Changed1 schema field changedOct 14, 2026

changedInput schema / required

Previous value: -[
-  "query",
-  "objective"
-]New value: +[
+  "query"
+]

Changed2 schema fields changedOct 13, 2026

removedInput schema / properties / clientModel

Removed value: -{
-  "description": "Optional model identifier, if known.",
-  "maxLength": 128,
-  "minLength": 1,
-  "type": "string"
-}

removedOutput schema / description

Removed value: -"Ranked search results grouped by source."

Changed2 schema fields changedOct 12, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / objective / description

Previous value: -"Optional broader goal for this search, if known. Avoid sensitive information."New value: +"The user's underlying goal for this call, in one sentence: what they are ultimately trying to accomplish, not a restatement of the URL or query. Reuse it across related calls. Avoid sensitive information."

changedInput schema / required

Previous value: -[
-  "query"
-]New value: +[
+  "query",
+  "objective"
+]

Changed1 schema field changedOct 9, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / scrapeOptions / properties / formats / items / enum

Previous value: -[
-  "markdown",
-  "html",
-  "rawHtml",
-  "screenshot",
-  "links",
-  "summary",
-  "changeTracking",
-  "branding",
-  "json",
-  "query",
-  "audio"
-]New value: +[
+  "markdown",
+  "html",
+  "rawHtml",
+  "screenshot",
+  "links",
+  "images",
+  "summary",
+  "changeTracking",
+  "branding",
+  "json",
+  "query",
+  "audio"
+]

Changed1 schema field changedOct 8, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / categories / description

Previous value: -"Limit results to specific source types. `research` restricts ordinary web results to research-affiliated websites and returns page snippets, which is separate from the `firecrawl_research_*` tools that search paper abstracts and full text across biomedical (PubMed, bioRxiv, medRxiv) and arXiv literature; `pdf` searches PDF results; `developer` searches an index built for coding agents over public repositories, GitHub issues, merged pull requests, repository READMEs, and code documentation; `gov` searches the Government Index of US federal, state, and local legal and regulatory sources, the index behind firecrawl_gov_search, and cannot be combined with other categories. `developer` and `gov` return hits in `data.web` with `category` set to their name; the other categories also filter `data.web`."New value: +"Limit results to specific source types. `research` restricts ordinary web results to research-affiliated websites and returns page snippets, which is separate from the `firecrawl_research_*` tools that search paper abstracts and full text across biomedical (PubMed, bioRxiv, medRxiv) and arXiv literature; `pdf` searches PDF results; `developer` searches an index built for coding agents over public repositories, GitHub issues, merged pull requests, repository READMEs, and code documentation; `gov` searches the Government Index of US federal, state, and local legal and regulatory sources, the index behind firecrawl_gov_search, and cannot be combined with other categories; gov hits can include historical versions, bill text, agency guidance, and third-party reproductions, so verify the issuer, jurisdiction, enacted/effective status, and version before citing current governing law, clarify a missing jurisdiction or ambiguous as-of date, and use general search for non-US questions or missing coverage (no hits does not establish that no applicable law exists). `developer` and `gov` return hits in `data.web` with `category` set to their name; the other categories also filter `data.web`."

Changed2 schema fields changedOct 6, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / categories / description

Previous value: -"Limit results to specific source types. `research` restricts ordinary web results to research-affiliated websites and returns page snippets, which is separate from the `firecrawl_research_*` tools that search paper abstracts and full text across biomedical (PubMed, bioRxiv, medRxiv) and arXiv literature; `pdf` searches PDF results; `developer` searches an index built for coding agents over public repositories, GitHub issues, merged pull requests, repository READMEs, and code documentation. `developer` returns hits in `data.web` with `category: \"developer\"`; the other categories also filter `data.web`."New value: +"Limit results to specific source types. `research` restricts ordinary web results to research-affiliated websites and returns page snippets, which is separate from the `firecrawl_research_*` tools that search paper abstracts and full text across biomedical (PubMed, bioRxiv, medRxiv) and arXiv literature; `pdf` searches PDF results; `developer` searches an index built for coding agents over public repositories, GitHub issues, merged pull requests, repository READMEs, and code documentation; `gov` searches the Government Index of US federal, state, and local legal and regulatory sources, the index behind firecrawl_gov_search, and cannot be combined with other categories. `developer` and `gov` return hits in `data.web` with `category` set to their name; the other categories also filter `data.web`."

changedInput schema / properties / categories / items / enum

Previous value: -[
-  "research",
-  "pdf",
-  "developer"
-]New value: +[
+  "research",
+  "pdf",
+  "developer",
+  "gov"
+]

Changed2 schema fields changedOct 6, 2026
- addedInput schema / properties / scrapeOptions / properties / profile / description
```
Added value: +"Loads a saved browser profile without saving changes to it."
```
- removedInput schema / properties / scrapeOptions / properties / profile / properties / saveChanges
```
Removed value: -{
-  "type": "boolean"
-}
```

Changed2 schema fields changedOct 1, 2026

addedInput schema / properties / clientModel

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Optional model identifier, if known.",
+  "maxLength": 128,
+  "minLength": 1,
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedInput schema / properties / objective

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Optional broader goal for this search, if known. Avoid sensitive information.",
+  "maxLength": 5000,
+  "minLength": 1,
+  "type": "string"
+}

First observedSep 29, 2026

TDQS

A4.6/5.0

Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Beyond the readOnly/openWorld annotations it discloses non-obvious behavior: authenticated searches always add alexandria to sources, keyless sessions default to web only, domainTools default depends on source mix, gov cannot combine with other categories, and tool matches describe capabilities rather than executed data. It also notes the return shape (`data` groups plus operation `id`).

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness3/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Front-loads the when-to-use case well, but the body is a dense multi-paragraph block where the categories, sources, domainTools and toolDetail details largely restate the schema descriptions verbatim, and it buries high-value cautions (scrape billing, gov verification) among repeated edge-case text. It earns its length functionally but is not tightly edited.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given 16 parameters, nested scrapeOptions, and a rich schema plus output schema, the description covers the decision-relevant surface: source selection, categories, domain filters, tool detail, and return structure. It leaves a handful of secondary parameters (tbs, limit, filter, location, enterprise, conversationId) to the schema, which is acceptable since an output schema exists.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Adds cross-parameter meaning the schema states only thinly or not at all: includeDomains/excludeDomains mutual exclusivity, toolDetail levels and their effect, domainTools default semantics, and authenticated source defaults. Several parameters (tbs, limit, filter, location, enterprise) remain unexplained in the description, but schema coverage at 69% carries most of the rest.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

Opens with a concrete use case ("current or specific information from the web: recent events, latest releases, prices...") that pins down the verb, resource, and scope. It also names the sibling boundaries explicitly by pointing to firecrawl_find_tools for catalogue browsing and firecrawl_scrape for executing capabilities / full-page fetches.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Gives explicit routing rules: developer category for programming questions, gov for legal/regulatory, alexandria for semantic tool discovery only, firecrawl_scrape when full text of a few results is needed, and firecrawl_find_tools for browsing contracts. Includes a warning to verify gov results and to fall back to general search when coverage is missing.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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Firecrawl web search

Input Schema

Output Schema

Schema Changelog

TDQS

Glama MCP Gateway

Resources