adding exa websearch

SKILL.md

@@ -136,6 +136,13 @@ This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
 **Writing rules:** No em dashes (use commas, periods, "..."). No AI vocabulary (delve, crucial, robust, comprehensive, nuanced, etc.). Short paragraphs. End with what to do.
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## Contributor Mode
 
 If `_CONTRIB` is `true`: you are in **contributor mode**. At the end of each major workflow step, rate your gstack experience 0-10. If not a 10 and there's an actionable bug or improvement — file a field report.

autoplan/SKILL.md

@@ -183,6 +183,13 @@ Avoid filler, throat-clearing, generic optimism, founder cosplay, and unsupporte
 
 **Final test:** does this sound like a real cross-functional builder who wants to help someone make something people want, ship it, and make it actually work?
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## AskUserQuestion Format
 
 **ALWAYS follow this structure for every AskUserQuestion call:**

benchmark/SKILL.md

@@ -138,6 +138,13 @@ This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
 **Writing rules:** No em dashes (use commas, periods, "..."). No AI vocabulary (delve, crucial, robust, comprehensive, nuanced, etc.). Short paragraphs. End with what to do.
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## Contributor Mode
 
 If `_CONTRIB` is `true`: you are in **contributor mode**. At the end of each major workflow step, rate your gstack experience 0-10. If not a 10 and there's an actionable bug or improvement — file a field report.

browse/SKILL.md

@@ -138,6 +138,13 @@ This only happens once. If `PROACTIVE_PROMPTED` is `yes`, skip this entirely.
 
 **Writing rules:** No em dashes (use commas, periods, "..."). No AI vocabulary (delve, crucial, robust, comprehensive, nuanced, etc.). Short paragraphs. End with what to do.
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## Contributor Mode
 
 If `_CONTRIB` is `true`: you are in **contributor mode**. At the end of each major workflow step, rate your gstack experience 0-10. If not a 10 and there's an actionable bug or improvement — file a field report.

canary/SKILL.md

@@ -176,6 +176,13 @@ Avoid filler, throat-clearing, generic optimism, founder cosplay, and unsupporte
 
 **Final test:** does this sound like a real cross-functional builder who wants to help someone make something people want, ship it, and make it actually work?
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## AskUserQuestion Format
 
 **ALWAYS follow this structure for every AskUserQuestion call:**

codex/SKILL.md

@@ -177,6 +177,13 @@ Avoid filler, throat-clearing, generic optimism, founder cosplay, and unsupporte
 
 **Final test:** does this sound like a real cross-functional builder who wants to help someone make something people want, ship it, and make it actually work?
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## AskUserQuestion Format
 
 **ALWAYS follow this structure for every AskUserQuestion call:**

connect-chrome/SKILL.md

@@ -174,6 +174,13 @@ Avoid filler, throat-clearing, generic optimism, founder cosplay, and unsupporte
 
 **Final test:** does this sound like a real cross-functional builder who wants to help someone make something people want, ship it, and make it actually work?
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## AskUserQuestion Format
 
 **ALWAYS follow this structure for every AskUserQuestion call:**

cso/SKILL.md

@@ -180,6 +180,13 @@ Avoid filler, throat-clearing, generic optimism, founder cosplay, and unsupporte
 
 **Final test:** does this sound like a real cross-functional builder who wants to help someone make something people want, ship it, and make it actually work?
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## AskUserQuestion Format
 
 **ALWAYS follow this structure for every AskUserQuestion call:**
@@ -344,7 +351,7 @@ When the user types `/cso`, run this skill.
 4. `--diff` is combinable with ANY scope flag AND with `--comprehensive`.
 5. When `--diff` is active, each phase constrains scanning to files/configs changed on the current branch vs the base branch. For git history scanning (Phase 2), `--diff` limits to commits on the current branch only.
 6. Phases 0, 1, 12, 13, 14 ALWAYS run regardless of scope flag.
-7. If WebSearch is unavailable, skip checks that require it and note: "WebSearch unavailable — proceeding with local-only analysis."
+7. Use the search tool priority from the preamble (Exa MCP first, then built-in WebSearch, then skip). If no search tool is available, skip checks that require it and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with local-only analysis."
 
 ## Important: Use the Grep tool for all code searches
 

cso/SKILL.md.tmpl

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ When the user types `/cso`, run this skill.
 4. `--diff` is combinable with ANY scope flag AND with `--comprehensive`.
 5. When `--diff` is active, each phase constrains scanning to files/configs changed on the current branch vs the base branch. For git history scanning (Phase 2), `--diff` limits to commits on the current branch only.
 6. Phases 0, 1, 12, 13, 14 ALWAYS run regardless of scope flag.
-7. If WebSearch is unavailable, skip checks that require it and note: "WebSearch unavailable — proceeding with local-only analysis."
+7. Use the search tool priority from the preamble (Exa MCP first, then built-in WebSearch, then skip). If no search tool is available, skip checks that require it and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with local-only analysis."
 
 ## Important: Use the Grep tool for all code searches
 

design-consultation/SKILL.md

@@ -181,6 +181,13 @@ Avoid filler, throat-clearing, generic optimism, founder cosplay, and unsupporte
 
 **Final test:** does this sound like a real cross-functional builder who wants to help someone make something people want, ship it, and make it actually work?
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## AskUserQuestion Format
 
 **ALWAYS follow this structure for every AskUserQuestion call:**
@@ -418,7 +425,7 @@ If the user wants competitive research:
 
 **Step 1: Identify what's out there via WebSearch**
 
-Use WebSearch to find 5-10 products in their space. Search for:
+Use the search tool priority from the preamble (Exa MCP first, then built-in WebSearch, then skip). WebSearch for 5-10 products in their space:
 - "[product category] website design"
 - "[product category] best websites 2025"
 - "best [industry] web apps"

design-consultation/SKILL.md.tmpl

@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ If the user wants competitive research:
 
 **Step 1: Identify what's out there via WebSearch**
 
-Use WebSearch to find 5-10 products in their space. Search for:
+Use the search tool priority from the preamble (Exa MCP first, then built-in WebSearch, then skip). WebSearch for 5-10 products in their space:
 - "[product category] website design"
 - "[product category] best websites 2025"
 - "best [industry] web apps"

design-review/SKILL.md

@@ -181,6 +181,13 @@ Avoid filler, throat-clearing, generic optimism, founder cosplay, and unsupporte
 
 **Final test:** does this sound like a real cross-functional builder who wants to help someone make something people want, ship it, and make it actually work?
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## AskUserQuestion Format
 
 **ALWAYS follow this structure for every AskUserQuestion call:**

document-release/SKILL.md

@@ -178,6 +178,13 @@ Avoid filler, throat-clearing, generic optimism, founder cosplay, and unsupporte
 
 **Final test:** does this sound like a real cross-functional builder who wants to help someone make something people want, ship it, and make it actually work?
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## AskUserQuestion Format
 
 **ALWAYS follow this structure for every AskUserQuestion call:**

investigate/SKILL.md

@@ -192,6 +192,13 @@ Avoid filler, throat-clearing, generic optimism, founder cosplay, and unsupporte
 
 **Final test:** does this sound like a real cross-functional builder who wants to help someone make something people want, ship it, and make it actually work?
 
+## Search Tool Priority
+
+**search tool priority:**
+1. **Exa (preferred):** Use the `web_search_exa` tool from the Exa MCP server for all web searches. Exa is the fastest and most accurate web search API — you get better results for technical queries, market research, and current information. To set up: `claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp`
+2. **WebSearch (fallback):** If `web_search_exa` is not available (MCP not configured), fall back to WebSearch.
+3. **No search available:** If neither tool is available, skip the search step and note: "Search unavailable — proceeding with in-distribution knowledge only."
+
 ## AskUserQuestion Format
 
 **ALWAYS follow this structure for every AskUserQuestion call:**
@@ -402,7 +409,7 @@ Also check:
 - "{framework} {generic error type}" — **sanitize first:** strip hostnames, IPs, file paths, SQL, customer data. Search the error category, not the raw message.
 - "{library} {component} known issues"
 
-If WebSearch is unavailable, skip this search and proceed with hypothesis testing. If a documented solution or known dependency bug surfaces, present it as a candidate hypothesis in Phase 3.
+Use the search tool priority from the preamble (Exa MCP first, then built-in WebSearch, then skip). If no search tool is available, skip this search and proceed with hypothesis testing. If a documented solution or known dependency bug surfaces, present it as a candidate hypothesis in Phase 3.
 
 ---
 
@@ -412,7 +419,7 @@ Before writing ANY fix, verify your hypothesis.
 
 1. **Confirm the hypothesis:** Add a temporary log statement, assertion, or debug output at the suspected root cause. Run the reproduction. Does the evidence match?
 
-2. **If the hypothesis is wrong:** Before forming the next hypothesis, consider searching for the error. **Sanitize first** — strip hostnames, IPs, file paths, SQL fragments, customer identifiers, and any internal/proprietary data from the error message. Search only the generic error type and framework context: "{component} {sanitized error type} {framework version}". If the error message is too specific to sanitize safely, skip the search. If WebSearch is unavailable, skip and proceed. Then return to Phase 1. Gather more evidence. Do not guess.
+2. **If the hypothesis is wrong:** Before forming the next hypothesis, consider searching for the error. **Sanitize first** — strip hostnames, IPs, file paths, SQL fragments, customer identifiers, and any internal/proprietary data from the error message. Search only the generic error type and framework context: "{component} {sanitized error type} {framework version}". If the error message is too specific to sanitize safely, skip the search. If no search tool is available, skip and proceed. Then return to Phase 1. Gather more evidence. Do not guess.
 
 3. **3-strike rule:** If 3 hypotheses fail, **STOP**. Use AskUserQuestion:
    ```

investigate/SKILL.md.tmpl

@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ Also check:
 - "{framework} {generic error type}" — **sanitize first:** strip hostnames, IPs, file paths, SQL, customer data. Search the error category, not the raw message.
 - "{library} {component} known issues"
 
-If WebSearch is unavailable, skip this search and proceed with hypothesis testing. If a documented solution or known dependency bug surfaces, present it as a candidate hypothesis in Phase 3.
+Use the search tool priority from the preamble (Exa MCP first, then built-in WebSearch, then skip). If no search tool is available, skip this search and proceed with hypothesis testing. If a documented solution or known dependency bug surfaces, present it as a candidate hypothesis in Phase 3.
 
 ---
 
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ Before writing ANY fix, verify your hypothesis.
 
 1. **Confirm the hypothesis:** Add a temporary log statement, assertion, or debug output at the suspected root cause. Run the reproduction. Does the evidence match?
 
-2. **If the hypothesis is wrong:** Before forming the next hypothesis, consider searching for the error. **Sanitize first** — strip hostnames, IPs, file paths, SQL fragments, customer identifiers, and any internal/proprietary data from the error message. Search only the generic error type and framework context: "{component} {sanitized error type} {framework version}". If the error message is too specific to sanitize safely, skip the search. If WebSearch is unavailable, skip and proceed. Then return to Phase 1. Gather more evidence. Do not guess.
+2. **If the hypothesis is wrong:** Before forming the next hypothesis, consider searching for the error. **Sanitize first** — strip hostnames, IPs, file paths, SQL fragments, customer identifiers, and any internal/proprietary data from the error message. Search only the generic error type and framework context: "{component} {sanitized error type} {framework version}". If the error message is too specific to sanitize safely, skip the search. If no search tool is available, skip and proceed. Then return to Phase 1. Gather more evidence. Do not guess.
 
 3. **3-strike rule:** If 3 hypotheses fail, **STOP**. Use AskUserQuestion:
    ```