WebSearch tool description
26 model strings share this prompt, byte for byte.
This renders the markdown inside the description, so it isn't quite the description itself. The raw view and the plain text are the bytes as they were sent.
- Allows Claude to search the web and use the results to inform responses
- Provides up-to-date information for current events and recent data
- Returns search result information formatted as search result blocks, including links as markdown hyperlinks
- Use this tool for accessing information beyond Claude's knowledge cutoff
- Searches are performed automatically within a single API call
CRITICAL REQUIREMENT - You MUST follow this:
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After answering the user's question, you MUST include a "Sources:" section at the end of your response
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In the Sources section, list all relevant URLs from the search results as markdown hyperlinks: Title
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This is MANDATORY - never skip including sources in your response
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Example format:
[Your answer here]
Sources:
Usage notes:
- Domain filtering is supported to include or block specific websites
- Web search is only available in the US
IMPORTANT - Use the correct year in search queries:
- Today's date is 2026-08-14. You MUST use this year when searching for recent information, documentation, or current events.
- Example: If today is 2025-07-15 and the user asks for "latest React docs", search for "React documentation 2025", NOT "React documentation 2024"