Task for the gardener. New agents (e.g. chur_bot) ship with web.search_backend: '' and no search key → no working web search out of the box. hermes-agent already bundles a free DuckDuckGo ddgs search skill (no API key; see hermes tools_config.py "A free DuckDuckGo search skill is also included") and supports free self-hosted SearXNG.
Make the default package search-capable with zero keys:
- create-new/deploy: enable the bundled
ddgs free-search skill by default and set the generated config.yaml web.search_backend accordingly (verify the exact skill/backend id against hermes-agent).
- Keep premium providers (Exa / Tavily / SearXNG / Firecrawl) as opt-in via key in the wizard.
- Consider pairing with the existing camofox browser for fetch/browse (the "search/browser combo").
- RGTDD + independent audit per repo dev flow.
Context: raised 2026-07-02 — chur_bot couldn't search; user wants a free off-the-shelf search/browser in the default package.
Task for the gardener. New agents (e.g. chur_bot) ship with
web.search_backend: ''and no search key → no working web search out of the box. hermes-agent already bundles a free DuckDuckGoddgssearch skill (no API key; see hermestools_config.py"A free DuckDuckGo search skill is also included") and supports free self-hosted SearXNG.Make the default package search-capable with zero keys:
ddgsfree-search skill by default and set the generatedconfig.yamlweb.search_backendaccordingly (verify the exact skill/backend id against hermes-agent).Context: raised 2026-07-02 — chur_bot couldn't search; user wants a free off-the-shelf search/browser in the default package.