Scira is an AI-powered search engine that retrieves information from the internet and provides cited answers to user queries.
The tool addresses the need for research that combines web search with AI reasoning and source attribution. It works by accepting user input in multiple forms—text questions, PDF uploads, or URLs—then employing an agentic approach that breaks complex queries into sub-tasks, searches live sources, cross-checks evidence, and returns answers with inline citations that users can click to verify. The platform offers seventeen distinct search modes tailored to different domains, including web search, academic papers, code repositories, social media posts, financial data, and cryptocurrency information, alongside direct chat without search.
Scira suits researchers, students, and professionals who need both comprehensive information retrieval and verifiable sources. The tool is self-hostable under an AGPL-3.0 license, allowing users to bring their own models and connect custom tools to their workflows. It integrates with the Vercel AI SDK for model integration, Exa AI for web search and content retrieval, and Upstash for serverless Redis and rate limiting. The platform includes a scheduling feature called Lookouts that enables recurring research agents to monitor topics and email updates on changes.
The project maintains active development with regular feature additions across its search modes and tooling capabilities. The codebase is written in TypeScript and demonstrates ongoing expansion of functionality, including premium features for voice conversations, advanced query analysis, and personal memory integration. The tool is backed by integration partnerships with established infrastructure providers, indicating sustained technical investment in the platform's core capabilities.
