Create a task

Create an asynchronous research task that explores the web, gathers sources, synthesizes findings, and returns results with citations. Can be used to generate:

1. Structured JSON matching an outputSchema you provide.
2. A detailed markdown report when no schema is provided.

The API responds immediately with a researchId for polling completion status. For more details, see the Research API overview.

Alternatively, you can use the OpenAI compatible chat completions interface.

POST /research/v1

cURL

cURL

curl -X POST 'https://api.exa.ai/research/v1' \
  -H 'x-api-key: YOUR-EXA-API-KEY' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "instructions": "Summarize the latest developments in AI safety research",
    "model": "exa-research"
  }'

201

{
  "researchId": "01jszdfs0052sg4jc552sg4jc5",
  "model": "exa-research",
  "instructions": "What species of ant are similar to honeypot ants?",
  "status": "running"
}

The Research API (/research/v1) is being deprecated on May 1, 2026. Migrate to /search with type: "deep-reasoning" for equivalent functionality. See the deprecation notice for details.

Get your Exa API key

Authorizations

apiKeybearer

x-api-key · string · header · required

Pass your Exa API key in the x-api-key header. You can also authenticate with Authorization: Bearer .

Body

application/json

instructions · string · required

Instructions for what you would like research on. A good prompt clearly defines what information you want to find, how research should be conducted, and what the output should look like.

Maximum string length: 50000

model · enum<string> · default: exa-research

Research model to use. exa-research is faster and cheaper, while exa-research-pro provides more thorough analysis and stronger reasoning.

Available options: exa-research-fast, exa-research, exa-research-pro

outputSchema · object

JSON Schema to enforce structured output. When provided, the research output will be validated against this schema and returned as parsed JSON.

Show child attributes

Response

201 - application/json

Research request created

Pending

Running

Completed

Canceled

Failed

researchId · string · required

Unique identifier for tracking and retrieving this research request

createdAt · number · required

When the research was created (Unix timestamp in milliseconds)

instructions · string · required

The original research instructions provided

status · enum<string> · required

Available options: pending

model · enum<string> · default: exa-research

The model used for this research request

Available options: exa-research-fast, exa-research, exa-research-pro

outputSchema · object

The JSON Schema used to validate the output, if provided

Show child attributes