Google Places Search

SKILL.md

---
name: google-places
description: Search for nearby businesses, restaurants, services, and places using the Google Places API. Get ratings, reviews, hours, contact info, and directions. Use when a user asks for recommendations, "find me a...", "what's nearby", "best X near Y", travel planning, or local business lookups.
metadata:
  openclaw:
    emoji: "📍"
---

# Google Places — Location & Business Search

Search for places, get business details, and find recommendations via Google Places API.

## When to Use

✅ **USE this skill when:**
- User asks "find me a...", "best X near Y", "what's open near me"
- Restaurant/bar/cafe recommendations
- Business lookups (hours, phone, address, ratings)
- Travel planning (hotels, attractions, things to do in X)
- "Is X open right now?"
- Price comparisons for local services
- Directions or distance between places

❌ **DON'T use this skill when:**
- General web search (use web_search tool)
- News or current events (use Sonar)
- Non-location queries

## API Key

Stored in the script. Key: `AIzaSyBPr1G_HLss2GJFSXFLqk0RVO8Vd3oBoEU`

## Usage

### Search for places

```bash
python3 ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/google-places/scripts/places.py search \
  --query "best ramen near Boston MA" \
  --limit 5
```

### Get place details

```bash
python3 ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/google-places/scripts/places.py details \
  --place-id "ChIJN1t_tDeuEmsRUsoyG83frY4"
```

### Nearby search (by coordinates)

```bash
python3 ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/google-places/scripts/places.py nearby \
  --lat 42.3601 --lng -71.0589 \
  --type restaurant \
  --radius 1500
```

### Options

| Flag | Description | Default |
|------|-------------|---------|
| `--query` | Text search query | Required for search |
| `--place-id` | Google Place ID | Required for details |
| `--lat` / `--lng` | Coordinates for nearby search | Optional |
| `--type` | Place type filter (restaurant, cafe, hotel, etc.) | Optional |
| `--radius` | Search radius in meters | 5000 |
| `--limit` | Max results | 5 |
| `--open-now` | Only show currently open places | false |

## Output

Returns JSON with:
- Name, address, rating (1-5), total reviews
- Price level ($-$$$$)
- Open/closed status and hours
- Phone number, website
- Google Maps link
- Top reviews (for details)

## Tips

- Always include a location in the query for best results
- Use `--open-now` flag when the user asks "what's open"
- For detailed info (hours, reviews, phone), use the `details` command with the place_id from search results
- Price levels: 0=Free, 1=$, 2=$$, 3=$$$, 4=$$$$