---
url: https://pencel.ai/docs/integrations/utilities.md
description: >-
  How Pencel searches the web and reads pages, and the small connections that
  add web search, page reading, a notes store and access to a folder you choose.
---

# Web search and utilities

Pencel can search the web and read public pages on its own. The connections on this page add more of those abilities, plus a notes store and access to a folder on your computer. Most take a minute to set up, and some need nothing at all.

## Pencel's built-in web search

Pencel has its own web search and page reader, with nothing to install. Reading a public page works as is. Web search needs either your plan's coverage or your own Tavily key. To check, open **Settings ▸ Credentials** and look at the **Tavily** row ("Web search for agents"):

* If your plan covers web search, the row says so. Searches run on Pencel's shared key, with an hourly and daily limit.
* If not, or to lift the limit, click the row, paste your own Tavily key (**Get a key** links to Tavily) and click **Save & test**.

**Your own rooms ask before they use the web.** When one of a room's workflows needs web search or page reading and doesn't have it, the room posts a setup card explaining why. It says the workflow "can read public pages only. It can't sign in, post, or send anything." Click **Give web access** to allow it or **Not now** to keep it off.

## The connections

| Connection | What it lets Pencel do | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| **Brave Search** | Search the web, including local business results, with your own Brave account. | A Brave Search API key |
| **Tavily** | Search the web, pull the text out of pages and follow links across a site. | A Tavily API key (the same key as above works) |
| **Web Fetch** | Read a web page you point to and turn it into clean text. | Nothing |
| **Memory** | Keep a notes store of people, companies and how they relate, which Pencel can add to and look up later. | Nothing |
| **Filesystem** | Read, create and organize files inside one folder you choose. | The folder's location |

Most people only need Pencel's built-in web search. Add Brave Search or Tavily when you want searches to run on your own account, Web Fetch for quick page reading in chat and workflows, and Filesystem when you want Pencel to work with files outside [Documents](https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/documents.html). Pencel already remembers your business through [Knowledge](https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/knowledge.html) and [Memory](https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/memory.html), so the Memory connection is optional.

## How to connect

1. Open **Settings ▸ Connections** and stay on the **Recommended** tab.
2. Find the connection and click **Install**.
3. **Web Fetch** and **Memory** connect straight away. For the others, a dialog opens:
   1. Review what the connection needs (for example, network access) and click **Grant All & Continue**.
   2. Paste your **API Key**, or for Filesystem enter the **Directory Path** of the folder.
   3. Click **Install & Connect**.

## What needs your approval

* **Searching and reading happen without asking.** Web searches, reading pages, looking up notes and reading files need no approval.
* **Changes ask first.** Writing, moving or creating files through Filesystem, and changing the Memory notes store, ask you unless you've allowed them.
* **You decide what runs freely.** Use **Manage Tools** on the connection (below) to let routine actions run without asking.

## Good to know

* **Choose a dedicated folder for Filesystem.** Pencel can read and change anything inside the folder you give it, so don't point it at your whole home folder.
* **The Memory notes store stays on your computer.**
* **Search results are used to answer you.** Page text and search results Pencel reads are sent to your AI model as part of the request. See [Data handling](https://pencel.ai/docs/privacy-and-security/data-handling.html).

## Disconnect or change what it can do

Go to **Settings ▸ Connections ▸ Installed** and open the connection's **⋯** menu:

* **Manage Tools**: switch individual actions off everywhere, or choose which run without asking in chats and workflows under **Auto-Approval** (**None**, **All tools** or **Custom**). Click **Save changes**. Rooms keep their own approvals.
* **Edit**: change the key or folder.
* **Disconnect** stops it for now. **Remove** deletes it and its saved key.

## Related

* [Browser automation](https://pencel.ai/docs/integrations/browser-automation.html)
* [Keep a web page in Knowledge](https://pencel.ai/docs/guides/linking-web-pages.html)
* [Connect your accounts](https://pencel.ai/docs/guides/setting-up-connections.html)