feat(web-search): remove built-in web_search tool, replace with MCP-based approach by LaZzyMan · Pull Request #3502 · QwenLM/qwen-code

LaZzyMan · 2026-04-21T08:57:45Z

TLDR

Remove the entire built-in web_search tool and its provider infrastructure (DashScope, Tavily, Google, GLM), and replace with an MCP-based approach. Web search is now provided by connecting to external MCP servers, giving users full flexibility to choose their preferred search service.

This resolves a fundamental design issue: the built-in tool required maintaining provider-specific integrations and API key plumbing for each search service, while MCP already provides a cleaner, more extensible mechanism for exactly this kind of external capability.

What Changed

Removed (~1,700 lines deleted):

packages/core/src/tools/web-search/ — entire directory (tool logic, 4 providers, tests)
packages/cli/src/config/webSearch.ts — provider resolution and CLI arg wiring
All webSearch config schema, --*-api-key CLI flags, and env var forwarding for search providers
integration-tests/cli/web_search.test.ts

Updated docs:

docs/developers/tools/web-search.md — rewritten to document MCP-based web search setup (Alibaba Cloud Bailian, Tavily, GLM WebSearch Prime)
docs/developers/tools/introduction.md — moved web search from built-in tools list to MCP section
docs/developers/roadmap.md — updated WebSearch entry to reflect MCP approach
docs/users/configuration/settings.md — removed advanced.tavilyApiKey, TAVILY_API_KEY env var, --tavily-api-key CLI flag

Recommended MCP Web Search Services

Service	MCP URL	Auth
Alibaba Cloud Bailian WebSearch	`https://dashscope.aliyuncs.com/api/v1/mcps/WebSearch/mcp`	`DASHSCOPE_API_KEY`
Tavily	`https://mcp.tavily.com/mcp/?tavilyApiKey=<key>`	API key in URL
GLM WebSearch Prime	`https://open.bigmodel.cn/api/mcp/web_search_prime/mcp`	`GLM_API_KEY`

Quick setup (Tavily example):

qwen mcp add tavily -t http "https://mcp.tavily.com/mcp/?tavilyApiKey=${TAVILY_API_KEY}"

Or via settings.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "tavily": {
      "httpUrl": "https://mcp.tavily.com/mcp/?tavilyApiKey=${TAVILY_API_KEY}"
    }
  }
}

Testing Matrix

	🍏	🪟	🐧
npm run	✅	❓	❓
npx	❓	❓	❓
Docker	❓	❓	❓

Linked issues / bugs

Closes #3496

- Add GlmProvider class implementing BaseWebSearchProvider using the ZhipuAI Web Search API (https://open.bigmodel.cn/api/paas/v4/web_search) - Support multiple search engines: search_std, search_pro, search_pro_sogou, search_pro_quark - Support optional config: maxResults, searchIntent, searchRecencyFilter, contentSize, searchDomainFilter - Truncate query to 70 characters per API limit - Register 'glm' in the provider discriminated union (types.ts) and createProvider() switch (index.ts) - Add GlmProviderConfig to settingsSchema, ConfigParams, and Config class - Add --glm-api-key CLI flag and GLM_API_KEY env var support in webSearch.ts - Forward GLM_API_KEY in sandbox environment - Update provider priority list: Tavily > Google > GLM > DashScope - Add 17 unit tests for GlmProvider and 4 integration tests in index.test.ts - Update docs/developers/tools/web-search.md with GLM configuration, env vars, CLI args, pricing, and corrected DashScope billing info - Fix stale OAuth/free-tier references in web-search.md Closes QwenLM#3496

wenshao

No issues found. LGTM! ✅ — gpt-5.4 via Qwen Code /review

wenshao · 2026-04-21T21:46:54Z

感谢提交!在本地做了完整的验证,结果如下。

✅ 验证通过

TypeScript 类型检查:packages/core 和 packages/cli 均 0 错误(注:需要先 npm run build 重建 core 刷新 .d.ts,否则 cli 那边会在 webSearch.ts 报 stale-artifact 假错)。
单元测试:glm-provider.test.ts 13/13 + index.test.ts 13/13 全部通过。
真实 API 端到端:用自己的 GLM_API_KEY 实测 search_std / search_pro 引擎、searchRecencyFilter=oneWeek、contentSize=high,均正常返回,响应结构与 GlmSearchResponse 类型一致。
错误分支:401 错误信息格式 [GLM] API request failed (HTTP 401): ... 符合预期;无 API key 时抛 [GLM] Provider is not available.。
配置全链路:settings.json → settingsSchema → ConfigParameters → Config.webSearch → createProvider → GlmProvider,类型和运行时均对齐,discriminated union 补得完整,没有遗漏点。
沙箱转发:GLM_API_KEY 在 sandbox.ts 里正确加到 `--env`。

🔧 合入前建议修改的点

1. 文档错误(必改)— `docs/developers/tools/web-search.md:54`

新增的这句话与实现不符:

DashScope requires an Aliyun API key configured via `DASHSCOPE_API_KEY` or explicitly in the provider config

实际上 `DashScopeProvider.isAvailable()` 只判断 `authType === 'qwen-oauth'`,完全不读 `DASHSCOPE_API_KEY` 这个环境变量。用户按这句指示只设 `DASHSCOPE_API_KEY` 而没有 qwen-oauth 凭据,web search 仍然用不了,会产生误导。

建议二选一:

(推荐) 把这块 DashScope 相关的文案改动回滚 — 这部分跟本 PR 主旨(新增 GLM provider)无关,PR 越聚焦越好合;
或改成贴近实现的措辞,比如 "DashScope web search currently requires qwen-oauth credentials; after the free-tier auto-injection was removed on 2026-04-15, it must be explicitly listed in `webSearch.provider`"。

2. 文档补充 GLM API 的服务端限制(建议改)

我实测发现 BigModel 服务端对几个参数并非硬约束,建议在 GLM 章节加一段注记,避免用户按配置的数字产生预期落差:

`maxResults` (底层传 `count`) 对 `search_std` / `search_pro` 不影响返回条数 — 实测 `count=1` 和 `count=10` 都返回 10 条;
`searchDomainFilter` 是 whitelist,但服务端并非严格限制,仍可能返回域名之外的结果(例如设 `anthropic.com` 实测返回了 sina.com.cn / qq.com)。

这些是 BigModel API 当前的行为,不是 PR 的 bug,但文档点明后用户心里有数。

3. PR 描述的数字对齐(建议改)

PR body 里写 "17 unit tests",而 `glm-provider.test.ts` 里实际是 13 个;另外 `index.test.ts` 新增了 4 个 GLM 用例。建议改成 "13 unit tests for `GlmProvider` + 4 integration tests in `index.test.ts`",按文件归属更清晰。

核心代码没问题,把以上 3 点处理掉(尤其是第 1 点)就可以合并。

…remove qwen-oauth dependency - DashScopeProvider.isAvailable() now checks config.apiKey instead of authType - Remove OAuth credential file reading and resource_url requirement - Use standard DashScope endpoint: dashscope.aliyuncs.com/api/v1/indices/plugin/web_search - Read DASHSCOPE_API_KEY env var and --dashscope-api-key CLI flag - Forward DASHSCOPE_API_KEY into sandbox environment - Update integration test to detect DASHSCOPE_API_KEY - Update docs to reflect new API key based configuration

The web_search tool and all related provider implementations are removed. Web search functionality will be provided via MCP integrations instead, which is the direction the broader agent ecosystem is moving. Removed: - packages/core/src/tools/web-search/ (entire directory) - packages/cli/src/config/webSearch.ts - integration-tests/cli/web_search.test.ts - ToolNames.WEB_SEARCH, ToolErrorCode.WEB_SEARCH_FAILED - webSearch config in ConfigParams, Config class, settingsSchema - CLI options: --tavily-api-key, --google-api-key, --google-search-engine-id, --glm-api-key, --dashscope-api-key, --web-search-default - Sandbox env forwarding for TAVILY/GLM/DASHSCOPE/GOOGLE search keys - web_search from rule-parser, permission-manager, speculation gate, microcompact tool set, and builtin-agents tool list

…rovider

LaZzyMan · 2026-04-22T08:33:28Z

Test MCP servers installed following guide in new docs:

Bailian:

Travily (Both http & npx):

GLM:

pomelo-nwu

LGTM

wenshao

[Suggestion] packages/core/src/skills/bundled/qc-helper/SKILL.md:121 still lists webSearch under advanced config keys after this PR removes the webSearch setting. Users asking qc-helper about configuration can still be guided toward a removed setting instead of MCP server configuration. Please remove webSearch from the quick reference and, if useful, point web search questions to MCP server configuration instead.

[Suggestion] docs/developers/roadmap.md:59 still lists Tool: WebSearch as an implemented built-in tool using Tavily API even though this PR removes the built-in implementation. Please update the entry to reflect MCP-based web search, or mark the old built-in WebSearch item as removed/deprecated.

— gpt-5.5 via Qwen Code /review

suggestions will be fixed in future

pomelo-nwu

LGTM

…ased approach (QwenLM#3502) * feat(web-search): add GLM (ZhipuAI) web search provider - Add GlmProvider class implementing BaseWebSearchProvider using the ZhipuAI Web Search API (https://open.bigmodel.cn/api/paas/v4/web_search) - Support multiple search engines: search_std, search_pro, search_pro_sogou, search_pro_quark - Support optional config: maxResults, searchIntent, searchRecencyFilter, contentSize, searchDomainFilter - Truncate query to 70 characters per API limit - Register 'glm' in the provider discriminated union (types.ts) and createProvider() switch (index.ts) - Add GlmProviderConfig to settingsSchema, ConfigParams, and Config class - Add --glm-api-key CLI flag and GLM_API_KEY env var support in webSearch.ts - Forward GLM_API_KEY in sandbox environment - Update provider priority list: Tavily > Google > GLM > DashScope - Add 17 unit tests for GlmProvider and 4 integration tests in index.test.ts - Update docs/developers/tools/web-search.md with GLM configuration, env vars, CLI args, pricing, and corrected DashScope billing info - Fix stale OAuth/free-tier references in web-search.md Closes QwenLM#3496 * docs(web-search): fix DashScope note and add GLM server-side limitations * fix(web-search): make DashScope provider work with standard API key, remove qwen-oauth dependency - DashScopeProvider.isAvailable() now checks config.apiKey instead of authType - Remove OAuth credential file reading and resource_url requirement - Use standard DashScope endpoint: dashscope.aliyuncs.com/api/v1/indices/plugin/web_search - Read DASHSCOPE_API_KEY env var and --dashscope-api-key CLI flag - Forward DASHSCOPE_API_KEY into sandbox environment - Update integration test to detect DASHSCOPE_API_KEY - Update docs to reflect new API key based configuration * feat(web-search): remove built-in web search tool The web_search tool and all related provider implementations are removed. Web search functionality will be provided via MCP integrations instead, which is the direction the broader agent ecosystem is moving. Removed: - packages/core/src/tools/web-search/ (entire directory) - packages/cli/src/config/webSearch.ts - integration-tests/cli/web_search.test.ts - ToolNames.WEB_SEARCH, ToolErrorCode.WEB_SEARCH_FAILED - webSearch config in ConfigParams, Config class, settingsSchema - CLI options: --tavily-api-key, --google-api-key, --google-search-engine-id, --glm-api-key, --dashscope-api-key, --web-search-default - Sandbox env forwarding for TAVILY/GLM/DASHSCOPE/GOOGLE search keys - web_search from rule-parser, permission-manager, speculation gate, microcompact tool set, and builtin-agents tool list * fix: remove websearch reference * docs: remove websearch tool * docs: add break change guide * fix review

LaZzyMan mentioned this pull request Apr 21, 2026

webSearch功能，在免费份额停掉以后是不是也无法使用了 #3496

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wenshao previously approved these changes Apr 21, 2026

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tanzhenxin added the type/feature-request New feature or enhancement request label Apr 21, 2026

github-actions Bot mentioned this pull request Apr 22, 2026

📊 AI CLI 工具社区动态日报 2026-04-22 gsscsd/big_model_radar#225

Open

docs(web-search): fix DashScope note and add GLM server-side limitations

694f507

LaZzyMan dismissed wenshao’s stale review via 694f507 April 22, 2026 02:54

LaZzyMan added 5 commits April 22, 2026 11:02

fix: remove websearch reference

3d1d20b

docs: remove websearch tool

5e6f97d

Merge remote-tracking branch 'origin/main' into feat/glm-web-search-p…

d316f71

…rovider

LaZzyMan changed the title ~~feat(web-search): add GLM (ZhipuAI) web search provider~~ feat(web-search): remove built-in web_search tool, replace with MCP-based approach Apr 22, 2026

pomelo-nwu previously approved these changes Apr 22, 2026

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docs: add break change guide

626da20

LaZzyMan dismissed pomelo-nwu’s stale review via 626da20 April 23, 2026 02:34

wenshao previously requested changes Apr 23, 2026

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Comment thread packages/core/src/extension/claude-converter.ts Outdated

Comment thread packages/webui/src/components/toolcalls/WebFetchToolCall.tsx

fix review

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wenshao reviewed Apr 24, 2026

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Comment thread packages/webui/src/components/toolcalls/WebFetchToolCall.tsx

pomelo-nwu approved these changes Apr 24, 2026

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LaZzyMan merged commit aeeb297 into QwenLM:main Apr 24, 2026
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feat(web-search): remove built-in web_search tool, replace with MCP-based approach#3502

feat(web-search): remove built-in web_search tool, replace with MCP-based approach#3502
LaZzyMan merged 9 commits into
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LaZzyMan commented Apr 21, 2026 • edited Loading Uh oh! There was an error while loading. Please reload this page.

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TLDR

What Changed

Recommended MCP Web Search Services

Testing Matrix

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wenshao commented Apr 21, 2026 • edited Loading Uh oh! There was an error while loading. Please reload this page.

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✅ 验证通过

🔧 合入前建议修改的点

1. 文档错误(必改)— `docs/developers/tools/web-search.md:54`

2. 文档补充 GLM API 的服务端限制(建议改)

3. PR 描述的数字对齐(建议改)

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LaZzyMan commented Apr 21, 2026 •

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