gemini-web-search

Use Gemini CLI (@google/gemini-cli) to do web search / fact-finding and return a sourced summary. Use when the user asks “why did X happen today”, “what’s the latest news”, “search the web”, “find sources/links”, or any task requiring up-to-date info. Prefer this over other search tools when Gemini is available but slow; run it with a TTY, wait longer, and verify source quality.

Gemini Web Search

Use Gemini CLI to search the web and produce a concise, sourced answer.

Quick workflow

Formulate a tight query

Include: entity + ticker/name + date/time window + what you need (%, $, cause, quotes, links)
Example: PayPal (PYPL) fell Feb 4 2026: % change, $ change, main catalyst(s), 3 sources

Run Gemini CLI with a TTY and long timeout Gemini CLI can hang or be slow without a pseudo-TTY.

Preferred (OpenClaw tool call):

Use functions.exec with pty: true
Use timeout 300–600s (longer for heavy searches)
Use yieldMs ~10000 then process.poll until completion

Command template:

~/.npm-global/bin/gemini -p "<prompt>"

If pty:true still behaves poorly, use a pseudo-tty wrapper:

script -q -c "~/.npm-global/bin/gemini -p \"<prompt>\"" /dev/null

Extract the answer in a structured way Return:

The key numeric facts (e.g., % move, $ move, close/intraday)
2–4 bullets of the main catalyst(s)
Links (always)

Quality control (mandatory)

Prefer: company IR/SEC filing, Reuters, Bloomberg, WSJ/FT, CNBC, reputable outlets.
Avoid relying on low-quality finance blogs/SEO sites.
If sources conflict or look unreliable: say so and ask user for a screenshot/link, or re-run with a stricter prompt.

Prompts that work well

Fast triage: Search the web: <topic>. Give 3 bullets + 2 reputable links.
Market move: Search the web: Why did <TICKER> move today (<date>)? Provide exact % and $ move (close + intraday if available) and the main catalyst(s). Cite sources with links.
Force better sources: Search the web and prioritize Reuters/company IR/SEC filing. If you cannot find them, say so. Topic: <...>. Provide links.

Failure modes & fixes

Gemini prints “I will search…” then stalls
- Wait longer (it can be slow).
- Ensure TTY: run with pty:true or script -q -c ... /dev/null.
Output has suspicious claims (e.g., odd CEO news)
- Re-run with: “use Reuters/company IR/SEC filing only; otherwise say unknown”.
- Cross-check with at least 2 independent reputable sources.
Need numbers but sources don’t show them
- Ask user for the quote/screenshot from their market data app and reconcile.

Local setup notes

Gemini CLI binary: ~/.npm-global/bin/gemini
Auth: already completed by Jiajie (should work without re-login)