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This guide helps you migrate from the Alpha Search API to the new Beta version.
Both the Alpha and Beta APIs continue to be supported. Using the Alpha API will result in warnings and no breaking errors in production. We will deprecate the Alpha API in December 2025.

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What’s New

  1. No more processors - The Beta API removes the base and pro processor selection. The API now automatically optimizes search execution.
  2. Optional mode parameter - Use mode to optimize results for your use case: one-shot (default, comprehensive results) or agentic (concise, token-efficient for multi-step workflows).
  3. Content freshness control - New fetch_policy parameter lets you control whether to use cached or fresh content.
  4. MCP integration - The Search API is now available through the Parallel Search MCP for seamless integration with AI tools.
  5. Enhanced SDK support - Full TypeScript and Python SDK support with better developer experience.

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Overview of Changes

ComponentAlphaBeta
Endpoint/alpha/search/v1beta/search
Beta HeaderNot requiredparallel-beta: search-extract-2025-10-10 (required)
Processorprocessor: "base" or "pro" (required)Removed
ModeNot availablemode: "one-shot" or "agentic" (optional)
Excerpt Configmax_chars_per_result: 1500excerpts: { max_chars_per_result: 10000 }
Freshness ControlNot availablefetch_policy: { max_age_seconds: 3600 } (optional)
SDK MethodN/Aclient.beta.search()

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Migration Example

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Before (Alpha)

curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.parallel.ai/alpha/search \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --header "x-api-key: $PARALLEL_API_KEY" \
  --data '{
    "objective": "When was the United Nations established?",
    "search_queries": ["Founding year UN"],
    "processor": "base",
    "max_results": 5,
    "max_chars_per_result": 1500
  }'

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After (Beta)

curl https://api.parallel.ai/v1beta/search \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "x-api-key: $PARALLEL_API_KEY" \
  -H "parallel-beta: search-extract-2025-10-10" \
  -d '{
    "objective": "When was the United Nations established?",
    "search_queries": ["Founding year UN"],
    "max_results": 5,
    "excerpts": {
      "max_chars_per_result": 10000
    }
  }'

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Additional Resources

Questions? Contact support@parallel.ai.