---
title: MDX Search Tool
description: A tool for semantic searching within MDX files using RAG capabilities
---

# MDX Search Tool

The MDX Search Tool enables semantic searching within MDX (Markdown with JSX) files using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities. It supports both fixed and dynamic file path modes, allowing you to specify the MDX file at initialization or runtime.

## Installation

```bash
pip install 'crewai[tools]'
```

## Usage

You can use the MDX Search Tool in two ways:

### 1. Fixed MDX File Path

Initialize the tool with a specific MDX file path:

```python
from crewai import Agent
from crewai_tools import MDXSearchTool

# Initialize with a fixed MDX file
tool = MDXSearchTool(mdx="/path/to/your/document.mdx")

# Create an agent with the tool
agent = Agent(
    role='Technical Writer',
    goal='Search through MDX documentation',
    backstory='I help find relevant information in MDX documentation',
    tools=[tool]
)

# Use in a task
task = Task(
    description="Find information about API endpoints in the documentation",
    agent=agent
)
```

### 2. Dynamic MDX File Path

Initialize the tool without a specific file path to provide it at runtime:

```python
from crewai import Agent
from crewai_tools import MDXSearchTool

# Initialize without a fixed MDX file
tool = MDXSearchTool()

# Create an agent with the tool
agent = Agent(
    role='Documentation Analyst',
    goal='Search through various MDX files',
    backstory='I analyze different MDX documentation files',
    tools=[tool]
)

# Use in a task with dynamic file path
task = Task(
    description="Search for 'authentication' in the API documentation",
    agent=agent,
    context={
        "mdx": "/path/to/api-docs.mdx",
        "search_query": "authentication"
    }
)
```

## Input Schema

### Fixed MDX File Mode
```python
class FixedMDXSearchToolSchema(BaseModel):
    search_query: str  # The search query to find content in the MDX file
```

### Dynamic MDX File Mode
```python
class MDXSearchToolSchema(BaseModel):
    search_query: str  # The search query to find content in the MDX file
    mdx: str  # The path to the MDX file to search
```

## Function Signatures

```python
def __init__(self, mdx: Optional[str] = None, **kwargs):
    """
    Initialize the MDX Search Tool.
    
    Args:
        mdx (Optional[str]): Path to the MDX file (optional)
        **kwargs: Additional arguments passed to RagTool
    """

def _run(
    self,
    search_query: str,
    **kwargs: Any,
) -> str:
    """
    Execute the search on the MDX file.
    
    Args:
        search_query (str): The query to search for
        **kwargs: Additional arguments including 'mdx' for dynamic mode
    
    Returns:
        str: The search results from the MDX content
    """
```

## Best Practices

1. **File Path Handling**:
   - Use absolute paths to avoid path resolution issues
   - Verify file existence before searching
   - Handle file permissions appropriately

2. **Query Optimization**:
   - Use specific, focused search queries
   - Consider context when formulating queries
   - Break down complex searches into smaller queries

3. **Error Handling**:
   - Handle file not found errors gracefully
   - Manage permission issues appropriately
   - Validate input parameters before processing

## Example Integration

Here's a complete example showing how to integrate the MDX Search Tool with CrewAI:

```python
from crewai import Agent, Task, Crew
from crewai_tools import MDXSearchTool

# Initialize the tool
mdx_tool = MDXSearchTool()

# Create an agent with the tool
researcher = Agent(
    role='Documentation Researcher',
    goal='Find and analyze information in MDX documentation',
    backstory='I am an expert at finding relevant information in documentation',
    tools=[mdx_tool]
)

# Create tasks
search_task = Task(
    description="""
    Search through the API documentation for information about authentication methods.
    Look for:
    1. Authentication endpoints
    2. Security best practices
    3. Token handling
    
    Provide a comprehensive summary of the findings.
    """,
    agent=researcher,
    context={
        "mdx": "/path/to/api-docs.mdx",
        "search_query": "authentication security tokens"
    }
)

# Create and run the crew
crew = Crew(
    agents=[researcher],
    tasks=[search_task]
)

result = crew.kickoff()
```

## Error Handling

The tool handles various error scenarios:

1. **File Not Found**:
   ```python
   try:
       tool = MDXSearchTool(mdx="/path/to/nonexistent.mdx")
   except FileNotFoundError:
       print("MDX file not found. Please verify the file path.")
   ```

2. **Permission Issues**:
   ```python
   try: 
       tool = MDXSearchTool(mdx="/restricted/docs.mdx")
   except PermissionError:
       print("Insufficient permissions to access the MDX file.")
   ```

3. **Invalid Content**:
   ```python
   try:
       result = tool._run(search_query="query", mdx="/path/to/invalid.mdx")
   except ValueError:
       print("Invalid MDX content or format.")
   ```