Exa Answer

Use Exa Answer as an API-backed deep_research provider for concise cited synthesis. This is not the same as a long research report; use Tavily Research when the user asks for a comprehensive report or extended market analysis.

Exa configuration is shared with all Exa skills through provider-manager.

Source References

• Official Answer API: https://exa.ai/docs/reference/answer
• Official Search API: https://exa.ai/docs/reference/search

Before Use

Resolve the installed ArkSpace package root before running commands. Replace <installed-arkspace-path> with the directory two levels above this loaded SKILL.md, such as /Users/<user>/.claude/plugins/cache/ark-space/ark-space/0.1.2. Use the installed package path, not a repository-relative command.

Check configuration:

python3 <installed-arkspace-path>/scripts/arkspace.py provider check exa --capability deep_research

Configure Exa once:

python3 <installed-arkspace-path>/scripts/arkspace.py provider setup exa --wizard

Missing Configuration Recovery

If the provider check reports a missing Exa API key:

1. Ask the user whether to start setup now: "Exa is not configured. Should I start the ArkSpace setup wizard now?"
2. Present exactly two choices:

• "Start setup wizard" - start interactive setup with python3 <installed-arkspace-path>/scripts/arkspace.py provider setup exa --wizard.
• "Not now" - leave Exa unconfigured; if the user still wants results, ask whether to continue with another registered provider or a clearly labeled non-ArkSpace fallback.

1. Run the setup command only when the host shell can provide interactive secret input. If the shell is non-interactive, do not run --wizard through that tool.
2. In Claude Code non-interactive tool sessions, offer:

• run ! python3 <installed-arkspace-path>/scripts/arkspace.py provider setup exa --wizard in the Claude prompt or terminal, or
• paste the API key in chat and let the agent save it with python3 <installed-arkspace-path>/scripts/arkspace.py provider setup exa --save-secret EXA_API_KEY --secret-stdin.

1. Re-run the provider check after setup.
2. If setup succeeds, rerun or tell the user to rerun the original invocation, such as /ark-space:exa-answer <question>.
3. Do not return Exa answer results until the provider check succeeds.

Helper Script

Focused answer:

python3 <installed-arkspace-path>/scripts/arkspace.py research run --provider exa "What changed in AI coding assistants in 2025?" --output markdown

Routing Notes

• Use Exa Answer for concise cited answers and semantic research questions.
• Use Exa Search first when the user wants source discovery rather than synthesis.
• Use Tavily Research when the user asks for a long-form report, broad market analysis, or comprehensive multi-source comparison.