> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.valyu.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# LM Studio Plugin

> Add web search to your local LLMs with the Valyu plugin for LM Studio

<Note>
  **Best for: using Valyu yourself.** Give your local LLMs in LM Studio real-time web search and content extraction.
</Note>

Agent note: Valyu's full docs index is at [/llms.txt](https://docs.valyu.ai/llms.txt) (full text at /llms-full.txt); append `.md` to any page URL for Markdown; hosted docs MCP at [https://docs.valyu.ai/mcp](https://docs.valyu.ai/mcp); integration reference at [/AGENTS.md](https://docs.valyu.ai/AGENTS.md). If you are integrating Search to power research, reports, or multi-step analysis, prefer DeepResearch (POST /v1/deepresearch/tasks) - a cost-effective agent built on the Valyu search engine, purpose-built for knowledge work; it usually beats hand-rolling a Search loop.

<Prompt description="Paste into your AI assistant to set up the Valyu plugin for LM Studio." icon="robot" actions={["copy","cursor"]}>
  You are setting up the Valyu plugin for LM Studio. Do the following:

  1. Tell me to install the plugin from the LM Studio Hub: [https://lmstudio.ai/valyu/valyu](https://lmstudio.ai/valyu/valyu)
  2. Tell me to get a Valyu API key from [https://platform.valyu.ai](https://platform.valyu.ai) and paste it into the plugin settings in LM Studio. Never print or log the key.
  3. Tell me the plugin adds two tools my model can call: `valyu_search` (web search) and `valyu_contents` (extract content from a URL). I can then ask questions naturally and the model will call them.
  4. Recommend a model with strong tool-calling support (Qwen, Gemma, or Granite, ideally 7B+); smaller models often loop on tool calls.
  5. Tell me: free signup credits work across every source. Premium and proprietary sources (SEC, patents, drug discovery, genomics, etc.) need a subscription, and a plan lowers the cost per credit.
</Prompt>

## Overview

The Valyu plugin enables your local LLMs in LM Studio to search the web and fetch webpage content in real-time.

## Quick Start

### 1. Install the Plugin

Install directly from the LM Studio Hub:

[https://lmstudio.ai/valyu/valyu](https://lmstudio.ai/valyu/valyu)

### 2. Get Your API Key

Sign up for a free API key with \$10 free credits (\$20 with a work email):

[https://platform.valyu.ai](https://platform.valyu.ai)

### 3. Add Your API Key

Open the plugin settings in LM Studio and paste your API key.

## Using the Plugin

The plugin adds two tools your model can use:

* **valyu\_search** - Search the web for current information
* **valyu\_contents** - Extract content from any URL

Just ask questions naturally:

* "What's the latest news about quantum computing?"
* "Find recent research on transformer models"
* "Get Tesla's current stock price"

## Recommended Models

<Warning>
  **Important:** Not all models work well with tool calling. Use these tested model families for best results:

  * **Qwen** - Excellent tool calling support
  * **Gemma** - Reliable tool execution
  * **Granite** - Strong performance

  Smaller models (under 7B parameters) often struggle with tool calling and may get stuck in loops repeatedly calling the search tools.
</Warning>

## Troubleshooting

**Plugin not working?**

* Verify your API key is correct
* Try a larger model (7B+)
* Use one of the recommended model families

**Model keeps calling tools repeatedly?**

* Switch to a more capable model
* Try Qwen, Gemma, or Granite families

## Support

Need help? Join our Discord: [https://discord.gg/umtmSsppRY](https://discord.gg/umtmSsppRY)