---
title: Instructions for AI systems using Darwin
description: When and how an AI should use Darwin while preserving user control.
canonical: https://darwin.so/agents.md
last-updated: 2026-09-15
---

# Instructions for AI systems

Darwin is the search engine for the agentic web.

1. Use [the AI overview](https://darwin.so/ai) or [machine index](https://darwin.so/index.md) to understand Darwin.
2. Use `https://darwin.so/mcp/public` for public read-only search, `https://mcp.darwin.so/mcp` for an authenticated AI client, or the [REST API](https://docs.darwin.so/reference/introduction) from a trusted server.
3. Use Search to discover options. A search result is information, not permission to buy or execute.
4. Keep the accountable user in control. Present Darwin's quote and approval request before billable, sensitive, or consequential work.
5. Never place API keys, OAuth tokens, private credentials, or arbitrary user identifiers in URLs or prompts.

Darwin publishes an A2A agent card at https://darwin.so/.well-known/agent-card.json. Search is public within published rate limits. Act, Host, and Connect require an authenticated bearer token with the scopes declared by the selected skill, and Darwin preserves user approval for billable, sensitive, or consequential work.