Release history
wd041216-bit/free-web-search-ultimate releases
Zero-cost, privacy-first universal web search MCP server. Enforces a **Search-First** paradigm — instructs LLMs to retrieve real-time information before answering factual questions. Supports 10+ search engines (DuckDuckGo, Bing, Google, Brave, Wikipedia, Arxiv, YouTube, Reddit) and deep page browsing. No API key required.
All releases
8 shown
v17.0.0
Breaking risk
⚠ Upgrade required
- New primary environment variable: `ZERO_SEARCH_SEARXNG_URL` (legacy names still accepted as fallbacks)
- Legacy CLI aliases (`search-web`, `browse-page`, `verify-claim`, `evidence-report`) and MCP aliases remain functional
Breaking changes
- Package renamed from `cross-validated-search` to `zero-api-key-web-search`
- Primary CLI commands changed to `zero-search`, `zero-browse`, `zero-verify`, `zero-report`, `zero-mcp`
Full changelog
Zero-API-Key Web Search v17.0.0
Free web search, browsing, and claim verification for AI agents. No API keys required. 100% free.
Breaking Changes
- Package renamed from
cross-validated-searchtozero-api-key-web-search - New primary CLI commands:
zero-search,zero-browse,zero-verify,zero-report,zero-mcp - New primary env var:
ZERO_SEARCH_SEARXNG_URL(old names still work as fallbacks)
What's New
- Full project rename emphasizing zero-API-key, 100% free positioning
- Legacy CLI aliases preserved:
search-web,browse-page,verify-claim,evidence-report - Legacy MCP aliases:
cross-validated-search-mcp,free-web-search-mcp - 86 tests passing, ruff clean, pyright 0 errors, 85% coverage
Install
pip install zero-api-key-web-search
Platform Support
MCP | Claude Code | Gemini | Cursor | Copilot | Codex | Continue | Kiro | Manus | OpenClaw
v16.0.0
Breaking risk
⚠ Upgrade required
- `free_web_search` imports and `free-web-search-mcp` remain as compatibility aliases but will be removed in a future release.
Breaking changes
- PyPI package renamed from `free-web-search` to `cross-validated-search`
- Python module renamed from `free_web_search` to `cross_validated_search`
Notable features
- Added `evidence-report` workflow across CLI and MCP
- Benchmark regression coverage added
- Turnkey self-hosted SearXNG assets for dual-provider path
Full changelog
Cross-Validated Search 16.0.0
This release promotes the renamed package surface to canonical status.
Highlights
- Renamed the canonical PyPI package to
cross-validated-search - Renamed the canonical Python module to
cross_validated_search - Kept
free_web_searchimports andfree-web-search-mcpavailable as compatibility aliases - Added the flagship
evidence-reportworkflow across CLI and MCP - Added benchmark regression coverage and collection-grade documentation
- Added turnkey self-hosted SearXNG assets for the recommended free dual-provider path
Verification
python3 -m unittest discover -s tests -vpython3 benchmarks/run_benchmark.py --jsonpython3 -m buildpython3 -m twine check dist/cross_validated_search-16.0.0*