Gif Search

---
name: argentos-gif-search
description: Search and download GIFs from Tenor using curl. No dependencies
  beyond curl and jq. Useful for finding reaction GIFs, creating visual content,
  and sending GIFs in chat.
version: 1.1.0
author: ArgentOS
license: MIT
prerequisites:
  env_vars:
    - TENOR_API_KEY
  commands:
    - curl
    - jq
metadata:
  argent:
    tags:
      - GIF
      - Media
      - Search
      - Tenor
      - API
  imported_from:
    original_name: gif-search
    source: upstream skill profile
---

# GIF Search (Tenor API)

Search and download GIFs directly via the Tenor API using curl. No extra tools needed.

## Setup

Set your Tenor API key in your environment (add to `~/.hermes/.env`):

```bash
TENOR_API_KEY=your_key_here
```

Get a free API key at https://developers.google.com/tenor/guides/quickstart — the Google Cloud Console Tenor API key is free and has generous rate limits.

## Prerequisites

- `curl` and `jq` (both standard on macOS/Linux)
- `TENOR_API_KEY` environment variable

## Search for GIFs

```bash
# Search and get GIF URLs
curl -s "https://tenor.googleapis.com/v2/search?q=thumbs+up&limit=5&key=${TENOR_API_KEY}" | jq -r '.results[].media_formats.gif.url'

# Get smaller/preview versions
curl -s "https://tenor.googleapis.com/v2/search?q=nice+work&limit=3&key=${TENOR_API_KEY}" | jq -r '.results[].media_formats.tinygif.url'
```

## Download a GIF

```bash
# Search and download the top result
URL=$(curl -s "https://tenor.googleapis.com/v2/search?q=celebration&limit=1&key=${TENOR_API_KEY}" | jq -r '.results[0].media_formats.gif.url')
curl -sL "$URL" -o celebration.gif
```

## Get Full Metadata

```bash
curl -s "https://tenor.googleapis.com/v2/search?q=cat&limit=3&key=${TENOR_API_KEY}" | jq '.results[] | {title: .title, url: .media_formats.gif.url, preview: .media_formats.tinygif.url, dimensions: .media_formats.gif.dims}'
```

## API Parameters

| Parameter       | Description                                                |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| `q`             | Search query (URL-encode spaces as `+`)                    |
| `limit`         | Max results (1-50, default 20)                             |
| `key`           | API key (from `$TENOR_API_KEY` env var)                    |
| `media_filter`  | Filter formats: `gif`, `tinygif`, `mp4`, `tinymp4`, `webm` |
| `contentfilter` | Safety: `off`, `low`, `medium`, `high`                     |
| `locale`        | Language: `en_US`, `es`, `fr`, etc.                        |

## Available Media Formats

Each result has multiple formats under `.media_formats`:

| Format    | Use case                          |
| --------- | --------------------------------- |
| `gif`     | Full quality GIF                  |
| `tinygif` | Small preview GIF                 |
| `mp4`     | Video version (smaller file size) |
| `tinymp4` | Small preview video               |
| `webm`    | WebM video                        |
| `nanogif` | Tiny thumbnail                    |

## Notes

- URL-encode the query: spaces as `+`, special chars as `%XX`
- For sending in chat, `tinygif` URLs are lighter weight
- GIF URLs can be used directly in markdown: `![alt](url)`