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kagi summarize

Summarize URLs or text content using either the paid public API or the subscriber web Summarizer. Summarize demo

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Synopsis

kagi summarize [OPTIONS]

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Description

The kagi summarize command provides access to two different summarization systems:
  1. Public API Mode - Uses Kagi’s paid Universal Summarizer API (requires KAGI_API_TOKEN)
  2. Subscriber Mode - Uses your Kagi subscription’s web-based Summarizer (requires KAGI_SESSION_TOKEN)
The two modes have different capabilities, pricing models, and output options. Choose the mode that best fits your use case.

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Authentication Modes

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Public API Mode (Default)

Requires: KAGI_API_TOKEN Uses the documented Universal Summarizer API endpoint. This is a paid service that consumes API credit. Features:
  • Multiple summary engines (cecil, agnes, etc.)
  • Caching support
  • Structured JSON output
  • Consistent API behavior
Cost: Consumes API credit per request

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Subscriber Mode

Requires: KAGI_SESSION_TOKEN + --subscriber flag Uses the subscriber web product’s summarization feature. This is included with your Kagi subscription. Features:
  • Multiple summary lengths (headline to long)
  • Multiple summary types (summary, keypoints, eli5)
  • Translation support
  • Web product integration
Cost: Included with subscription (no additional charges)

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Options

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Content Input (One Required)

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--url <URL>

URL of the page to summarize. Example: 
kagi summarize --url https://example.com/article

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--text <TEXT>

Raw text to summarize. Example: 
kagi summarize --text "Long text content to summarize..."
Note: Choose either --url or --text, not both.

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Mode Selection

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--subscriber

Use subscriber web Summarizer instead of public API. Requires: KAGI_SESSION_TOKEN Example: 
kagi summarize --subscriber --url https://example.com

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Public API Options

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--engine <ENGINE>

Summarization engine to use (public API only). Values:
  • cecil - Balanced summarization (default)
  • agnes - Alternative engine
  • Additional engines as documented
Example: 
kagi summarize --url https://example.com --engine cecil

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--cache <BOOL>

Enable/disable response caching (public API only). Values: true, false Default: true Example: 
kagi summarize --url https://example.com --cache false

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Subscriber Mode Options

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--length <LENGTH>

Summary length (subscriber mode only). Values:
  • headline - Briefest (1-2 sentences)
  • overview - Short summary (3-5 sentences)
  • digest - Medium length (paragraph)
  • medium - Detailed (multiple paragraphs)
  • long - Most comprehensive
Example: 
kagi summarize --subscriber --url https://example.com --length digest

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--summary-type <TYPE>

Style of summary (subscriber mode only). Values:
  • summary - Standard summary
  • keypoints - Bullet point key points
  • eli5 - Explain Like I’m 5 (simplified)
Example: 
kagi summarize --subscriber --url https://example.com --summary-type keypoints

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Universal Options

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--target-language <LANG>

Target language for summary output. Example: 
kagi summarize --url https://example.com --target-language es

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Output Format

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Public API Output

{
  "meta": {
    "id": "1",
    "node": "us-east",
    "ms": 10
  },
  "data": {
    "output": "The summarized text...",
    "tokens": 42
  }
}

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Subscriber Mode Output

{
  "meta": {
    "version": "202603091651.stage.c128588",
    "trace": "abc123"
  },
  "data": {
    "thread_id": "thread-1",
    "state": "done",
    "output": "The summarized text...",
    "markdown": "The summarized text..."
  }
}

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Examples

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Public API Examples

# Basic URL summarization
kagi summarize --url https://www.rust-lang.org

# With specific engine
kagi summarize --url https://example.com --engine cecil

# Disable caching
kagi summarize --url https://example.com --cache false

# Text summarization
kagi summarize --text "Long text content here..."

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Subscriber Mode Examples

# Basic subscriber summarization
kagi summarize --subscriber --url https://www.rust-lang.org

# Key points format
kagi summarize --subscriber --url https://example.com --summary-type keypoints

# Short length
kagi summarize --subscriber --url https://example.com --length overview

# Full options
kagi summarize --subscriber --url https://example.com --summary-type keypoints --length digest --target-language en

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Processing Examples

# Extract just the summary text
kagi summarize --url https://example.com | jq -r '.data.output'

# Save to file
kagi summarize --url https://example.com > summary.json

# Batch process URLs
cat urls.txt | while read url; do
  kagi summarize --subscriber --url "$url" > "summaries/$(basename $url).json"
  sleep 1
done

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Mode Comparison

FeaturePublic APISubscriber Mode
Token RequiredKAGI_API_TOKENKAGI_SESSION_TOKEN
CostAPI creditIncluded with subscription
EnginesMultiple (cecil, agnes, etc.)Web product default
LengthsStandardheadline, overview, digest, medium, long
TypesStandardsummary, keypoints, eli5
CachingOptionalN/A
FlagNone (default)--subscriber

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Common Patterns

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Research Pipeline

#!/bin/bash
# Summarize articles for research

URLS=(
  "https://example.com/article1"
  "https://example.com/article2"
)

for url in "${URLS[@]}"; do
  echo "Processing: $url"
  kagi summarize --subscriber --url "$url" --summary-type keypoints | jq -r '.data.output'
  echo "---"
  sleep 1
done

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Quick Reference

# Quick overview of a page
kagi summarize --subscriber --url "$URL" --length overview | jq -r '.data.output'

# Detailed reading
kagi summarize --subscriber --url "$URL" --length long | jq -r '.data.output'

# Key points only
kagi summarize --subscriber --url "$URL" --summary-type keypoints | jq -r '.data.output'

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Exit Codes

CodeMeaning
0Success - summary generated
1Error - see stderr for details
Common errors:
  • Missing required token
  • Invalid URL
  • Network error
  • Rate limiting

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Troubleshooting

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”this command requires KAGI_API_TOKEN”

You’re using public API mode without an API token. Either:
  • Set API token: kagi auth set --api-token '...'
  • Or use subscriber mode: add --subscriber flag

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”this command requires KAGI_SESSION_TOKEN”

You’re using --subscriber mode without a session token. Set it: 
kagi auth set --session-token 'https://kagi.com/search?token=...'

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“—length requires —subscriber”

The --length option only works with subscriber mode: 
# Wrong
kagi summarize --url https://example.com --length digest

# Right
kagi summarize --subscriber --url https://example.com --length digest

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“—engine is only supported for the paid public summarizer API”

The --engine option only works with public API mode: 
# Right (public API)
kagi summarize --url https://example.com --engine cecil

# Wrong (subscriber mode doesn't support engine selection)
kagi summarize --subscriber --url https://example.com --engine cecil

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Empty output

  • Verify URL is accessible and not blocked
  • Check that content is text-based (not just images/video)
  • Try different summary type or length

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See Also