Add Parallel CLI research skill feature
NousResearch/hermes-agent · cluster 983 · optional-skills/research
Data as of
Nothing open on GitHub. Fix merged in #1301. Check it covers your case.
The short answer
0open issues
0open PRs
4items grouped
- Known?
- Yes. 4 related items grouped here, 2 issues already closed.
- Fix event
- A fix was merged to main in PR #1301. Check it covers your case. No release data is tracked.
- Tracker
- The maintainers' tracker marks this
unresolved. That is separate from the fix event. - Still open
- Nothing open on GitHub.
These issues and pull requests all concern adding a new skill for web search, extraction, and deep research via parallel-cli. The members appear to be duplicates or closely related submissions of the same feature request and implementation.
Open issues0
Open PRs0
Fixes on record
-
#1301 feat: add Parallel CLI research skill
files:
skills/research/parallel-cli/SKILL.mdShow the diff
-
skills/research/parallel-cli/SKILL.md@@ -0,0 +1,390 @@ +--- +name: parallel-cli +description: Optional vendor skill for Parallel CLI — agent-native web search, extraction, deep research, enrichment, FindAll, and monitoring. Prefer JSON output and non-interactive flows. +version: 1.1.0 +author: Hermes Agent +license: MIT +metadata: + hermes: + tags: [Research, Web, Search, Deep-Research, Enrichment, CLI] + related_skills: [duckduckgo-search, mcporter] +--- + +# Parallel CLI + +Use `parallel-cli` when the user explicitly wants Parallel, or when a terminal-native workflow would benefit from Parallel's vendor-specific stack for web search, extraction, deep research, enrichment, entity discovery, or monitoring. + +This is an optional third-party workflow, not a Hermes core capability. + +Important expectations: +- Parallel is a paid service with a free tier, not a fully free local tool. +- It overlaps with Hermes native `web_search` / `web_extract`, so do not prefer it by default for ordinary lookups. +- Prefer this skill when the user mentions Parallel specifically or needs capabilities like Parallel's enrichment, FindAll, or monitor workflows. + +`parallel-cli` is designed for agents: +- JSON output via `--json` +- Non-interactive command execution +- Async long-running jobs with `--no-wait`, `status`, and `poll` +- Context chaining with `--previous-interaction-id` +- Search, extract, research, enrichment, entity discovery, and monitoring in one CLI + +## When to use it + +Prefer this skill when: +- The user explicitly mentions Parallel or `parallel-cli` +- The task needs richer workflows than a simple one-shot search/extract pass +- You need async deep research jobs that can be launched and polled later +- You need structured enrichment, FindAll entity discovery, or monitoring + +Prefer Hermes native `web_search` / `web_extract` for quick one-off lookups when Parallel is not specifically requested. + +## Installation + +Try the least invasive install path available for the environment. + +### Homebrew + +```bash +brew install parallel-web/tap/parallel-cli +``` + +### npm + +```bash +npm install -g parallel-web-cli +``` + +### Python package + +```bash +pip install "parallel-web-tools[cli]" +``` + +### Standalone installer + +```bash +curl -fsSL https://parallel.ai/install.sh | bash +``` + +If you want an isolated Python install, `pipx` can also work: + +```bash +pipx install "parallel-web-tools[cli]" +pipx ensurepath +``` + +## Authentication + +Interactive login: + +```bash +parallel-cli login +``` + +Headless / SSH / CI: + +```bash +parallel-cli login --device +``` + +API key environment variable: + +```bash +export PARALLEL_API_KEY="***" +``` + +Verify current auth status: + +```bash +parallel-cli auth +``` + +If auth requires browser interaction, run with `pty=true`. + +## Core rule set + +1. Always prefer `--json` when you need machine-readable output. +2. Prefer explicit arguments and non-interactive flows. +3. For long-running jobs, use `--no-wait` and then `status` / `poll`. +4. Cite only URLs returned by the CLI output. +5. Save large JSON outputs to a temp file when follow-up questions are likely. +6. Use background processes only for genuinely long-running workflows; otherwise run in foreground. +7. Prefer Hermes native tools unless the user wants Parallel specifically or needs Parallel-only workflows. + +## Quick reference + +```text +parallel-cli +├── auth +├── login +├── logout +├── search +├── extract / fetch +├── research run|status|poll|processors +├── enrich run|status|poll|plan|suggest|deploy +├── findall run|ingest|status|poll|result|enrich|extend|schema|cancel +└── monitor create|list|get|update|delete|events|event-group|simulate +``` + +## Common flags and patterns + +Commonly useful flags: +- `--json` for structured output +- `--no-wait` for async jobs +- `--previous-interaction-id <id>` for follow-up tasks that reuse earlier context +- `--max-results <n>` for search result count +- `--mode one-shot|agentic` for search behavior +- `--include-domains domain1.com,domain2.com` +- `--exclude-domains domain1.com,domain2.com` +- `--after-date YYYY-MM-DD` + +Read from stdin when convenient: + +```bash +echo "What is the latest funding for Anthropic?" | parallel-cli search - --json +echo "Research question" | parallel-cli research run - --json +``` + +## Search + +Use for current web lookups with structured results. + +```bash +parallel-cli search "What is Anthropic's latest AI model?" --json +parallel-cli search "SEC filings for Apple" --include-domains sec.gov --json +parallel-cli search "bitcoin price" --after-date 2026-01-01 --max-results 10 --json +parallel-cli search "latest browser benchmarks" --mode one-shot --json +parallel-cli search "AI coding agent enterprise reviews" --mode agentic --json +``` + +Useful constraints: +- `--include-domains` to narrow trusted sources +- `--exclude-domains` to strip noisy domains +- `--after-date` for recency filtering +- `--max-results` when you need broader coverage + +If you expect follow-up questions, save output: + +```bash +parallel-cli search "latest React 19 changes" --json -o /tmp/react-19-search.json +``` + +When summarizing results: +- lead with the answer +- include dates, names, and concrete facts +- cite only returned sources +- avoid inventing URLs or source titles + +## Extraction + +Use to pull clean content or markdown from a URL. + +```bash +parallel-cli extract https://example.com --json +parallel-cli extract https://company.com --objective "Find pricing info" --json +parallel-cli extract https://example.com --full-content --json +parallel-cli fetch https://example.com --json +``` + +Use `--objective` when the page is broad and you only need one slice of information. + +## Deep research + +Use for deeper multi-step research tasks that may take time. + +Common processor tiers: +- `lite` / `base` for faster, cheaper passes +- `core` / `pro` for more thorough synthesis +- `ultra` for the heaviest research jobs + +### Synchronous + +```bash +parallel-cli research run \ + "Compare the leading AI coding agents by pricing, model support, and enterprise controls" \ + --processor core \ + --json +``` + +### Async launch + poll + +```bash +parallel-cli research run \ + "Compare the leading AI coding agents by pricing, model support, and enterprise controls" \ + --processor ultra \ + --no-wait \ + --json + +parallel-cli research status trun_xxx --json +parallel-cli research poll trun_xxx --json +parallel-cli research processors --json +``` + +### Context chaining / follow-up + +```bash +parallel-cli research run "What are the top AI coding agents?" --json +parallel-cli research run \ + "What enterprise controls does the top-ranked one offer?" \ + --previous-interaction-id trun_xxx \ + --json +``` + +Recommended Hermes workflow: +1. launch with `--no-wait --json` +2. capture the returned run/task ID +3. if the user wants to continue other work, keep moving +4. later call `status` or `poll` +5. summarize the final report with citations from the returned sources + +## Enrichment + +Use when the user has CSV/JSON/tabular inputs and wants additional columns inferred from web research. + +### Suggest columns + +```bash +parallel-cli enrich suggest "Find the CEO and annual revenue" --json +``` + +### Plan a config + +```bash +parallel-cli enrich plan -o config.yaml +``` + +### Inline data + +```bash +parallel-cli enrich run \ + --data '[{"company": "Anthropic"}, {"company": "Mistral"}]' \ + --intent "Find headquarters and employee count" \ + --json +``` + +### Non-interactive file run + +```bash +parallel-cli enrich run \ + --source-type csv \ + --source companies.csv \ + --target enriched.csv \ + --source-columns '[{"name": "company", "description": "Company name"}]' \ + --intent "Find the CEO and annual revenue" +``` + +### YAML config run + +```bash +parallel-cli enrich run config.yaml +``` + +### Status / polling + +```bash +parallel-cli enrich status <task_group_id> --json +parallel-cli enrich poll <task_group_id> --json +``` + +Use explicit JSON arrays for column definitions when operating non-interactively. +Validate the output file before reporting success. + +## FindAll + +Use for web-scale entity discovery when the user wants a discovered dataset rather than a short answer. + +```bash +parallel-cli findall run "Find AI coding agent startups with enterprise offerings" --json +parallel-cli findall run "AI startups in healthcare" -n 25 --json +parallel-cli findall status <run_id> --json +parallel-cli findall poll <run_id> --json +parallel-cli findall result <run_id> --json +parallel-cli findall schema <run_id> --json +``` + +This is a better fit than ordinary search when the user wants a discovered set of entities that can be reviewed, filtered, or enriched later. + +## Monitor + +Use for ongoing change detection over time. + +```bash +parallel-cli monitor list --json +parallel-cli monitor get <monitor_id> --json +parallel-cli monitor events <monitor_id> --json +parallel-cli monitor delete <monitor_id> --json +``` + +Creation is usually the sensitive part because cadence and delivery matter: + +```bash +parallel-cli monitor create --help +``` + +Use this when the user wants recurring tracking of a page or source rather than a one-time fetch. + +## Recommended Hermes usage patterns + +### Fast answer with citations +1. Run `parallel-cli search ... --json` +2. Parse titles, URLs, dates, excerpts +3. Summarize with inline citations from the returned URLs only + +### URL investigation +1. Run `parallel-cli extract URL --json` +2. If needed, rerun with `--objective` or `--full-content` +3. Quote or summarize the extracted markdown + +### Long research workflow +1. Run `parallel-cli research run ... --no-wait --json` +2. Store the returned ID +3. Continue other work or periodically poll +4. Summarize the final report with citations + +### Structured enrichment workflow +1. Inspect the input file and columns +2. Use `enrich suggest` or provide explicit enriched columns +3. Run `enrich run` +4. Poll for completion if needed +5. Validate the output file before reporting success + +## Error handling and exit codes + +The CLI documents these exit codes: +- `0` success +- `2` bad input +- `3` auth error +- `4` API error +- `5` timeout + +If you hit auth errors: +1. check `parallel-cli auth` +2. confirm `PARALLEL_API_KEY` or run `parallel-cli login` / `parallel-cli login --device` +3. verify `parallel-cli` is on `PATH` + +## Maintenance + +Check current auth / install state: + +```bash +parallel-cli auth +parallel-cli --help +``` + +Update commands: + +```bash +parallel-cli update +pip install --upgrade parallel-web-tools +parallel-cli config auto-update-check off +``` + +## Pitfalls + +- Do not omit `--json` unless the user explicitly wants human-formatted output. +- Do not cite sources not present in the CLI output. +- `login` may require PTY/browser interaction. +- Prefer foreground execution for short tasks; do not overuse background processes. +- For large result sets, save JSON to `/tmp/*.json` instead of stuffing everything into context. +- Do not silently choose Parallel when Hermes native tools are already sufficient. +- Remember this is a vendor workflow that usually requires account auth and paid usage beyond the free tier.
-
1 PR closed without merging
From the close comments: merged via another change 1
-
#985 feat: add Parallel CLI research skill · merged via another change →
#1301
Closed issues · 2
How this cluster was grouped
-
Link evidence (
partly structural links): some members are connected by structural evidence (shared changed files, or a closing/superseded reference); the rest are joined by an automated relevance judgement over their text. - Members outside that structural core may belong to a different underlying problem.
-
Pairwise link density
0.39: the share of item pairs that carry a link, counting a structural link in full and a relevance-only link at 0.36.1.00means every pair is linked.
Pick up a Lab task
Check whether a fix covers the open issues here, with your own agent. Bring back evidence for maintainers.
Open the LabAt a glance
- Subsystem
- optional-skills/research
- Merged PRs
- #1301
- Closed issues
- 2
- Attempts
- 1 PR closed without merging
- Fix link checked
- 14 Mar 2026. This confirmation is old and may be out of date (a revert or reopen would not have invalidated it here); re-verify.