iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
There is no single search-depth or recency setting shared by every AI research agent. First identify the surface you use—Responses API, Agents API, Agents SDK, or ChatGPT Deep Research—then configure search effort, eligible sources, and freshness using that integration’s documented controls. OpenAI notes that tool availability, configuration, and call handling depend on the integration (OpenAI tools guide).
Identify the integration before changing settings
“AI research agent” can mean an API tool call or a product interface, and the controls do not map one-to-one. Responses API web search, Agents API web search, ChatGPT Deep Research, and Agents SDK integrations expose different options. Use the documentation for the integration you actually run; do not assume that a field name or behavior transfers between them.
What the controls do on each surface
| Surface | Search effort and context | Source controls | Freshness |
|---|---|---|---|
Responses API web_search |
search_context_size controls how much search context is made available before generation. Reasoning effort can affect agentic search depth and latency. For GPT-5+ reasoning-model search runs, return_token_budget controls how much search-result content may be returned. |
filters supports allowed_domains and blocked_domains; the current guide permits up to 100 domains in either list. |
Web search is described as access to up-to-date information. The guide does not establish a general date-window parameter. |
Agents API web_search |
context_size accepts low, medium, or high; when omitted, it defaults to medium. |
Optional allowed_domains; omitting it means no domain filter. |
mode can be live, cached, or disabled. Live is the default when the mode is omitted. |
| ChatGPT Deep Research | Research is agent-driven and extended; you can review and modify the proposed research plan. | Restrict research to entered websites/domains, or prioritize those sources while still allowing broader web search. | The help material does not establish an explicit date-window field. |
| Agents SDK | Exact controls depend on the SDK and hosted-tool behavior; consult the current SDK and underlying integration documentation. | The SDK guide exposes web-search configuration such as allowed domains. | Confirm the freshness controls for the specific underlying integration; a shared date-window setting is not established here. |
References: Responses API web-search guide, Agents API web-search guide, ChatGPT Deep Research help, and the OpenAI tools guide. Controls and interfaces can change, so check the relevant current reference when implementing.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Configure an agent in a practical order
-
Name the integration and the outcome
Record which API or product surface you are configuring and what the answer must establish. A quick factual lookup and a multi-part comparison have different search needs.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Apple 2026 MacBook Pro Laptop with Apple M5 Pro chip with 15-core CPU and 16-core GPU: Built for AI, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 24GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 7; Space Black- FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY — The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. With all-day battery life, double the starting storage,* and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s pro in every way.*
- BUCKLE UP — Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage,* M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR AI — Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- MACOS RUNS APPS FAST — All your go-to apps run lightning fast in macOS, including built-in apps like FaceTime and Messages. Plus, built-in virus protection and free software updates help keep your Mac running smoothly and securely.
-
Choose strict source control or source preference
Use an allow-list or a restriction when the agent must stay within specified domains. This can exclude useful evidence elsewhere. If you want preferred sources without giving up discovery, use prioritization where supported; ChatGPT Deep Research documents both restricting research to chosen sites and prioritizing them while permitting broader search.
-
Match search effort to the question
For straightforward lookups, use quick, non-reasoning retrieval where available. For questions that require comparing sources and synthesizing several issues, use agentic search with reasoning or an extended deep-research workflow. The Responses API guide notes that deeper agentic research may increase latency.
Rank #2
Askyorte Bluetooth Wireless AI Mouse for Laptop/Computer/Ipad,with Voice Recorder,Real-Time Transcription Translation&Summarization,High-Performance Office Mouse for PC Laptop Remote Work- 【AI Voice Assistant】 One-click PPT generation, copywriting, Q&A, AI art creation & office templates — all by voice. Your intelligent mouse that replaces multiple tools and revolutionizes your workflow.
- 【Real-Time Voice Typing & Translation】 Speak to type — words appear as text instantly. Built-in AI translation breaks language barriers for meetings & research. Perfect for business and academic use. Ditch the keyboard, boost productivity.
- 【Triple-Mode Connectivity】 One-button switch between 2.4G USB, BT1 & BT2. Connect up to 3 devices simultaneously — desktop, laptop, tablet, iPad. Seamless transitions with zero lag. Works everywhere you do.
- 【Universal Compatibility】 Compatible with Windows 7/8/10/11 & macOS 10.15+. Works on PC, laptop, tablet & iPad.
- 【Ergonomic Design & 5 DPI Levels】 Premium ergonomic shape with secure grip for all-day comfort. 5 adjustable DPI settings (800–4000) — precise control for graphic design, presentations & daily office tasks.
-
Set the available context or result budget
Choose the documented context size or search-context setting for your integration. In a supported Responses API research run, set
return_token_budgetif you need to control returned search-result content. These settings affect how much retrieved material reaches the model; they do not certify source quality or freshness.Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Select live or cached search when supported
In the Agents API, choose
livefor live retrieval,cachedfor cached retrieval, ordisabledto turn that search mode off. This is an access mode, not a universal instruction to return pages within a particular date range. The documentation reviewed does not establish a shared recency-window field.Rank #3
acer Aspire 16 AI Copilot+ PC | 16" WUXGA 120Hz Multi-Touch Display | Snapdragon X X1-26-100 | NPU: 45 Tops - GPU: Up to 1.7 TFLOPs | 16GB LPDDR5X | 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD | Wi-Fi 7 | A16-11MT-X669- Step Up to Next-Level Performance - Redefine your laptop experience with the Acer Aspire 16 AI. Powered by the Snapdragon X X1-26-100, a premium integrated GPU with up to 1.7 TFLOPs and NPU with 45 TOPs for optimized processing across CPU, GPU, and NPU workloads and delivering best-in-class performance and power efficiency.
- New AI Superpowers - Discover the power of Recall (preview), improved Windows search, and Click to Do (preview) on Copilot+ PCs. Effortlessly locate past content, perform natural searches, and interact with text and images – all while ensuring your data remains private and you stay productive*.
- Built on Brilliant AI Foundations - The Acer Aspire 16 AI harnesses the industry-leading Qualcomm AI Engine with an integrated Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, delivering transformative experiences for creativity, video conferencing, security, and productivity assistants. The Qualcomm AI Engine supports Windows Studio Effects and many other AI-accelerated applications and experiences, to make possibilities endless.
- Screens that Speak to Your Senses - Immerse yourself in a world of vibrant visuals. Enjoy stunning clarity, rich 100% sRGB colors, and sharp detail on the 16" 120Hz WUXGA ultra-high-resolution touchscreen display – acting as a panoramic playground for entertainment, artistic expression, and engaging AI experiences that dazzle the eye.
- Streamline Your Settings with AcerSense - Intelligent Acer AI solutions are at your fingertips. Effortlessly get answers, streamline settings, optimize your video presence, and elevate communication. Experience intuitive AI that’s easy to use and seamlessly enhances your productivity.
-
Inspect sources and dates
Check whether the resulting sources include the domains you required and whether broader sources remain available when intended. The Responses API guide describes a
sourcesfield that can expose all URLs consulted—often more than the inline citations. For volatile claims, check the publication or update date on the individual page rather than inferring freshness from the search mode alone. -
Test with a representative question
Run a realistic prompt and inspect whether the answer has enough sourced context, includes or excludes the expected domains, and handles dates appropriately. If the result is thin, adjust the documented context or effort controls; if sources are missing, revisit the filter choice. Treat this as a configuration check, not a guarantee of answer quality.
Rank #4
Sale
Azpen VoiceX Pro Wireless AI Mouse | Use with PC and Laptop with Voice Input, Live Translation, ChatGPT Support, and One-Touch Search- Voice-to-Text at 500 WPM: Hands-free typing with voice-to-text capabilities at blazing speeds of up to 500 words per minute with 99% transcription accuracy
- Voice Access to ChatGPT & AI Models: Seamlessly integrates with ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and other AI models for enhanced productivity and smart assistance
- Voice-Controlled Google Search: Navigate the web and perform Google searches using voice commands for efficient hands-free browsing
- Multi-Language Voice & Screenshot Translation: Translate multiple languages using voice input and screenshot capture for seamless communication across language barriers
- iOS, Windows, Mac Compatible: Bluetooth mouse for laptop and desktop with USB connections, supporting multiple operating systems including iOS, Windows, and Mac
Keep depth, source choice, and recency separate
- Search effort is how much reasoning or research work the agent applies; deeper agentic work can take longer.
- Context or result budget is how much retrieved search material is available to the model or returned in a research run.
- Source filtering determines which domains may be used or which ones are emphasized, depending on the surface.
- Freshness mode, where available, selects live, cached, or disabled access; it is not itself a date cutoff.
- Page dates help you assess whether a particular source supports a time-sensitive claim.
Accordingly, do not look for a universal numeric search_depth field or assume that “live” means “only results from the last N days.” The documented controls vary by integration, and the cited official material does not establish those shared settings.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
