valyu-best-practices

---
name: valyu-best-practices
description: Complete Valyu API toolkit for AI agents. Use this skill when asked to perform real-time search across web, academic, medical, transportation, financial sources, content extraction from URLs, AI-powered answers with citations, or comprehensive deep research reports.
license: MIT
---

# Valyu Best Practices

This skill provides instructions for using the Valyu API to perform search, content extraction, AI-powered answers, and deep research tasks.

## Quick Reference: Choosing the Right API

Use this decision tree to select the appropriate Valyu API:

```
What do you need?

├─ Find information across multiple sources
│  └─ Use Search API
│
├─ Extract content from specific URLs
│  └─ Use Contents API
│
├─ Get an AI-synthesized answer with citations
│  └─ Use Answer API
│
├─ Generate a comprehensive research report
│  └─ Use DeepResearch API
│
└─ Discover available data sources
   └─ Use Datasources API
```

---

## ⚠️ MANDATORY: Use Official Valyu SDK Libraries

**CRITICAL: When writing code that uses the Valyu API, you MUST use the official SDK libraries. NEVER make raw HTTP/fetch calls to the Valyu API endpoints.**

### JavaScript/TypeScript: `valyu-js`

```bash
npm install valyu-js
# or
pnpm add valyu-js
```

```typescript
import { Valyu } from 'valyu-js';

const valyu = new Valyu(process.env.VALYU_API_KEY);

// Now use valyu.search(), valyu.contents(), valyu.answer(), valyu.deepResearch
```

### Python: `valyu`

```bash
pip install valyu
# or
uv add valyu
```

```python
from valyu import Valyu

valyu = Valyu(api_key=os.environ.get("VALYU_API_KEY"))

# Now use valyu.search(), valyu.contents(), valyu.answer(), valyu.deep_research
```

### Why SDK Over Raw API Calls?

1. **Type safety** - Full TypeScript/Python type hints for all parameters and responses
2. **Automatic retries** - Built-in retry logic for transient failures
3. **Streaming support** - Proper async iterator support for streaming responses
4. **Error handling** - Structured error types with helpful messages
5. **Future compatibility** - SDK updates handle API changes automatically

### ❌ NEVER Do This

```typescript
// DON'T make raw fetch calls
const response = await fetch('https://api.valyu.ai/v1/search', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'x-api-key': apiKey,
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({ query: '...' })
});
```

### ✅ Always Do This

```typescript
// DO use the SDK
import { Valyu } from 'valyu-js';

const valyu = new Valyu(process.env.VALYU_API_KEY);
const response = await valyu.search({ query: '...' });
```

---

## 1. Search API

**Purpose:** Find information across web, academic, medical, transportation, financial, news, and proprietary sources.

### When to Use

- Finding recent information on any topic
- Academic research (arXiv, PubMed, bioRxiv, medRxiv)
- Financial data (SEC filings, earnings reports, stock data)
- News monitoring and current events
- Healthcare data (clinical trials, drug labels)
- Prediction markets (Polymarket, Kalshi)
- Transportation (UK National Rail, Global Shipping)

### Basic Usage

```typescript
const response = await valyu.search({
  query: "transformer architecture attention mechanism 2024",
  searchType: "all",
  maxNumResults: 10
});
```

### Search Types

| Type | Use For |
|------|---------|
| `all` | Everything - web, academic, financial, proprietary |
| `web` | General internet content only |
| `proprietary` | Licensed academic papers and research |
| `news` | News articles and current events |

### Key Parameters

| Parameter (TS/JS) | Parameter (Python) | Purpose | Example |
|-------------------|-------------------|---------|---------|
| `query` | `query` | Search query (under 400 chars) | `"CRISPR gene editing 2024"` |
| `searchType` | `search_type` | Source scope | `"all"`, `"web"`, `"proprietary"`, `"news"` |
| `maxNumResults` | `max_num_results` | Number of results (1-20) | `10` |
| `includedSources` | `included_sources` | Limit to specific sources | `["valyu/valyu-arxiv", "valyu/valyu-pubmed"]` |
| `startDate` / `endDate` | `start_date` / `end_date` | Date filtering | `"2024-01-01"` |
| `relevanceThreshold` | `relevance_threshold` | Minimum relevance (0-1) | `0.7` |

### Domain-Specific Search Patterns

**Academic Research:**
```typescript
await valyu.search({
  query: "CRISPR therapeutic applications clinical trials",
  searchType: "proprietary",
  includedSources: ["valyu/valyu-arxiv", "valyu/valyu-pubmed", "valyu/valyu-biorxiv"],
  startDate: "2024-01-01"
});
```

**Financial Analysis:**
```typescript
await valyu.search({
  query: "Apple revenue Q4 2024 earnings",
  searchType: "all",
  includedSources: ["valyu/valyu-sec-filings", "valyu/valyu-earnings-US"]
});
```

**News Monitoring:**
```typescript
await valyu.search({
  query: "AI regulation EU",
  searchType: "news",
  startDate: "2024-06-01",
  countryCode: "EU"
});
```

### Search Recipes

For detailed patterns, see:
- [Basic Search Patterns](references/search-recipes/basic-search-all.md)
- [Academic Search](references/search-recipes/academic-search.md)
- [Finance Search](references/search-recipes/finance-search.md)
- [News Search](references/search-recipes/news-search.md)
- [Healthcare Search](references/search-recipes/healthcare-and-bio-search.md)

---

## 2. Contents API

**Purpose:** Extract clean, structured content from web pages optimized for LLM processing.

### When to Use

- Converting web pages to clean markdown
- Extracting article text for summarization
- Parsing documentation for RAG systems
- Structured data extraction from product pages
- Processing academic papers

### Basic Usage

```typescript
const response = await valyu.contents({
  urls: ["https://example.com/article"]
});
```

### With Summarization

```typescript
const response = await valyu.contents({
  urls: ["https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.12345"],
  summary: "Extract key findings in 3 bullet points"
});
```

### Structured Extraction (JSON Schema)

```typescript
const response = await valyu.contents({
  urls: ["https://example.com/product"],
  summary: {
    type: "object",
    properties: {
      product_name: { type: "string" },
      price: { type: "number" },
      features: { type: "array", items: { type: "string" } }
    },
    required: ["product_name", "price"]
  }
});
```

### Key Parameters

| Parameter (TS/JS) | Parameter (Python) | Purpose | Example |
|-------------------|-------------------|---------|---------|
| `urls` | `urls` | URLs to process (1-10) | `["https://example.com"]` |
| `responseLength` | `response_length` | Content length | `"short"`, `"medium"`, `"large"`, `"max"` |
| `extractEffort` | `extract_effort` | Extraction quality | `"normal"`, `"high"`, `"auto"` |
| `summary` | `summary` | AI summarization | `true`, `"instructions"`, or JSON schema |
| `screenshot` | `screenshot` | Capture screenshots | `true` |

### Content Recipes

For detailed patterns, see:
- [Basic Content Extraction](references/content-recipes/basic-content-extraction-from-web.md)
- [Extraction with Summary](references/content-recipes/basic-content-extraction-from-web-with-summary.md)
- [Structured Extraction](references/content-recipes/structured-content-extraction-from-web.md)
- [Research Paper Extraction](references/content-recipes/extract-content-from-research-paper.md)

---

## 3. Answer API

**Purpose:** Get AI-powered answers grounded in real-time search results with citations.

### When to Use

- Questions requiring current information synthesis
- Multi-source fact verification
- Technical documentation questions
- Research requiring cited sources
- Structured data extraction from search results

### Basic Usage

```typescript
const response = await valyu.answer({
  query: "What are the latest developments in quantum computing?"
});
```

### With Fast Mode (Lower Latency)

```typescript
const response = await valyu.answer({
  query: "Current Bitcoin price and 24h change",
  fastMode: true
});
```

### With Custom Instructions

```typescript
const response = await valyu.answer({
  query: "Compare React and Vue for enterprise applications",
  systemInstructions: "Provide a balanced comparison with pros and cons. Format as a comparison table."
});
```

### With Streaming

```typescript
const stream = await valyu.answer({
  query: "Explain transformer architecture",
  streaming: true
});

for await (const chunk of stream) {
  // Handle: search_results, content, metadata, done, error
  console.log(chunk);
}
```

### Structured Output

```typescript
const response = await valyu.answer({
  query: "Apple Q4 2024 financial highlights",
  structuredOutput: {
    type: "object",
    properties: {
      revenue: { type: "string" },
      growthRate: { type: "string" },
      keyHighlights: { type: "array", items: { type: "string" } }
    }
  }
});
```

### Key Parameters

| Parameter (TS/JS) | Parameter (Python) | Purpose | Example |
|-------------------|-------------------|---------|---------|
| `query` | `query` | Question to answer | `"What is quantum computing?"` |
| `fastMode` | `fast_mode` | Lower latency | `true` |
| `systemInstructions` | `system_instructions` | AI directives | `"Be concise"` |
| `structuredOutput` | `structured_output` | JSON schema | `{type: "object", ...}` |
| `streaming` | `streaming` | Enable SSE streaming | `true` |
| `dataMaxPrice` | `data_max_price` | Dollar limit | `1.0` |

### Answer Recipes

For detailed patterns, see:
- [Basic Answer](references/answer-recipes/basic-answer.md)
- [Fast Mode](references/answer-recipes/answer-with-fast-mode.md)
- [Streaming](references/answer-recipes/answer-with-streaming.md)
- [Custom Instructions](references/answer-recipes/answer-with-custom-instructions.md)

---

## 4. DeepResearch API

**Purpose:** Generate comprehensive research reports with detailed analysis and citations.

### When to Use

- Comprehensive market analysis
- Literature reviews
- Competitive intelligence
- Technical deep dives
- Topics requiring multi-source synthesis

### Research Modes

| Mode | Duration | Best For |
|------|----------|----------|
| `fast` | ~5 minutes | Quick lookups, simple questions |
| `standard` | ~10-20 minutes | Balanced research (most common) |
| `heavy` | ~90 minutes | Comprehensive analysis, complex topics |

### Create Research Task

```typescript
const task = await valyu.deepResearch.create({
  query: "AI chip market competitive landscape 2024",
  model: "standard"
});
// Returns: { deepresearch_id: "abc123", status: "queued" }
```

### Poll for Completion

```typescript
const status = await valyu.deepResearch.getStatus(task.deepresearch_id);
// status: "queued" | "running" | "completed" | "failed" | "cancelled"

if (status.status === "completed") {
  console.log(status.output);  // Markdown report
  console.log(status.sources); // Cited sources
  console.log(status.pdf_url); // PDF download link
}
```

### Key Parameters

| Parameter (TS/JS) | Parameter (Python) | Purpose | Example |
|-------------------|-------------------|---------|---------|
| `query` | `query` | Research question | `"AI market trends 2024"` |
| `model` | `model` | Research depth | `"fast"`, `"standard"`, `"heavy"` |
| `outputFormat` | `output_format` | Report format | `"markdown"`, `"pdf"` |
| `includedSources` | `included_sources` | Source filtering | `["valyu/valyu-arxiv", "techcrunch.com"]` |
| `startDate` / `endDate` | `start_date` / `end_date` | Date range | `"2024-01-01"` |

### DeepResearch Recipes

For detailed patterns, see:
- [Fast Research](references/deepresearch-recipes/create-a-fast-research-task-and-await-completion.md)
- [Standard Research](references/deepresearch-recipes/create-a-standard-research-task-and-await-completion.md)
- [Heavy Research](references/deepresearch-recipes/create-a-heavy-research-task-and-await-completion.md)

---

## 5. Query Writing Best Practices

### Core Principles

1. **Be specific** - Use domain terminology
2. **Be concise** - Keep queries under 400 characters
3. **Be focused** - One topic per query
4. **Add constraints** - Include timeframes, source types

### Query Anatomy

| Element | Description | Example |
|---------|-------------|---------|
| **Intent** | What you need | "latest advancements" vs "overview" |
| **Domain** | Topic terminology | "transformer architecture" |
| **Constraints** | Filters | "2024", "peer-reviewed" |
| **Source type** | Where to look | academic papers, SEC filings |

### Good vs Bad Queries

```
BAD:  "I want to know about AI"
GOOD: "transformer attention mechanism survey 2024"

BAD:  "Apple financial information"
GOOD: "Apple revenue growth Q4 2024 earnings SEC filing"

BAD:  "gene editing research"
GOOD: "CRISPR off-target effects therapeutic applications 2024"
```

### Split Complex Requests

```
# Don't do this
"Tesla stock performance, new products, and Elon Musk statements"

# Do this instead
Query 1: "Tesla stock performance Q4 2024"
Query 2: "Tesla Cybertruck production updates 2024"
Query 3: "Tesla FSD autonomous driving progress"
```

### Source Filtering

Use `includedSources` for domain authority:
​
Financial Research Collection. Some sources to include:
- `valyu/valyu-sec-filings` - SEC regulatory filings
- `valyu/valyu-stocks` - Stock market data
- `valyu/valyu-earnings-US` - Earnings reports
- `reuters.com` - Financial news
- `bloomberg.com` - Market analysis
​
Medical Research Collection. Some sources to include:
- `valyu/valyu-pubmed` - Medical literature
- `valyu/valyu-clinical-trials` - Clinical trial data
- `valyu/valyu-drug-labels` - FDA drug information
- `nejm.org` - New England Journal of Medicine
- `thelancet.com` - The Lancet
​
Tech Documentation Collection. Some sources to include:
- `docs.aws.amazon.com` - AWS documentation
- `cloud.google.com/docs` - Google Cloud docs
- `learn.microsoft.com` - Microsoft docs
- `kubernetes.io/docs` - Kubernetes docs
- `developer.mozilla.org` - MDN Web Docs

```javascript
// Academic
includedSources: ["valyu/valyu-arxiv", "valyu/valyu-pubmed", "nature"]

// Financial
includedSources: ["valyu/valyu-sec-filings", "bloomberg.com", "reuters.com"]

// Tech news
includedSources: ["techcrunch.com", "theverge.com", "arstechnica.com"]
```

For complete prompting guide, see [references/prompting.md](references/prompting.md).

---

## 6. Common Workflows

### Research Workflow

```typescript
// 1. Quick search to find sources
const searchResults = await valyu.search({
  query: "CRISPR therapeutic applications",
  searchType: "proprietary",
  maxNumResults: 20
});

// 2. Extract key content from top results
const contents = await valyu.contents({
  urls: searchResults.results.slice(0, 3).map(r => r.url),
  summary: "Extract key findings"
});

// 3. Deep analysis for comprehensive report
const research = await valyu.deepResearch.create({
  query: "CRISPR therapeutic applications comprehensive review",
  model: "heavy"
});
```

### Financial Analysis Workflow

```typescript
// 1. Get SEC filings
const filings = await valyu.search({
  query: "Apple 10-K 2024",
  includedSources: ["valyu/valyu-sec-filings"]
});

// 2. Quick synthesis
const summary = await valyu.answer({
  query: "Apple Q4 2024 financial highlights",
  fastMode: true
});

// 3. Structured extraction
const metrics = await valyu.answer({
  query: "Apple financial metrics 2024",
  structuredOutput: {
    type: "object",
    properties: {
      revenue: { type: "string" },
      netIncome: { type: "string" },
      growthRate: { type: "string" }
    }
  }
});
```

---

## 7. Available Data Sources

Valyu provides access to 25+ specialized datasets:

| Category | Examples |
|----------|----------|
| **Academic** | arXiv (2.5M+ papers), PubMed (37M+), bioRxiv, medRxiv |
| **Financial** | SEC filings, earnings transcripts, stock data, crypto |
| **Healthcare** | Clinical trials, DailyMed, PubChem, drug labels, ChEMBL, DrugBank, Open Target, WHO ICD |
| **Economic** | FRED, BLS, World Bank, US Treasury, Destatis |
| **Predictions** | Polymarket, Kalshi |
| **Patents** | US patent database |
| **Transportation** | UK Rail, Ship Tracking |

For complete datasource reference, see [references/datasources.md](references/datasources.md).

---

## 8. API Reference

For complete API documentation including all parameters, response structures, and error codes, see [references/api-guide.md](references/api-guide.md).

---

## 9. Integration Guides

Platform-specific integration documentation:

- [Anthropic Claude](references/integrations/anthropic.md)
- [OpenAI](references/integrations/openai.md)
- [Vercel AI SDK](references/integrations/vercel-ai-sdk.md)
- [LangChain](references/integrations/langchain.md)
- [LlamaIndex](references/integrations/llamaindex.md)
- [MCP Server](references/integrations/mcp-server.md)

---

## Additional Resources

- [All Recipes Index](references/recipes.md)
- [Design Philosophy](references/design-philosophy.md)
- [Prompting Guide](references/prompting.md)
- [Full API Reference](references/api-guide.md)