docs: update Brave Search API docs for Feb 2026 plan restructuring (#40111)

Merged via squash.

Prepared head SHA: c651f07855
Co-authored-by: remusao <1299873+remusao@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: gumadeiras <5599352+gumadeiras@users.noreply.github.com>
Reviewed-by: @gumadeiras

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai
 - Tools/Brave web search: add opt-in `tools.web.search.brave.mode: "llm-context"` so `web_search` can call Brave's LLM Context endpoint and return extracted grounding snippets with source metadata, plus config/docs/test coverage. (#33383) Thanks @thirumaleshp.
 - Talk mode: add top-level `talk.silenceTimeoutMs` config so Talk waits a configurable amount of silence before auto-sending the current transcript, while keeping each platform's existing default pause window when unset. (#39607) Thanks @danodoesdesign. Fixes #17147.
 - CLI/install: include the short git commit hash in `openclaw --version` output when metadata is available, and keep installer version checks compatible with the decorated format. (#39712) thanks @sourman.
+- Docs/Web search: restore $5/month free-credit details, replace defunct "Data for Search"/"Data for AI" plan names with current "Search" plan, and note legacy subscription validity in Brave setup docs. Follows up on #26860. (#40111) Thanks @remusao.
 
 ### Fixes
 

docs/brave-search.md

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ OpenClaw supports Brave Search API as a `web_search` provider.
 ## Get an API key
 
 1. Create a Brave Search API account at [https://brave.com/search/api/](https://brave.com/search/api/)
-2. In the dashboard, choose the **Data for Search** plan and generate an API key.
+2. In the dashboard, choose the **Search** plan and generate an API key.
 3. Store the key in config or set `BRAVE_API_KEY` in the Gateway environment.
 
 ## Config example
@@ -72,9 +72,9 @@ await web_search({
 
 ## Notes
 
-- The Data for AI plan is **not** compatible with `web_search`.
-- Brave provides paid plans; check the Brave API portal for current limits.
-- Brave Terms include restrictions on some AI-related uses of Search Results. Review the Brave Terms of Service and confirm your intended use is compliant. For legal questions, consult your counsel.
+- OpenClaw uses the Brave **Search** plan. If you have a legacy subscription (e.g. the original Free plan with 2,000 queries/month), it remains valid but does not include newer features like LLM Context or higher rate limits.
+- Each Brave plan includes **$5/month in free credit** (renewing). The Search plan costs $5 per 1,000 requests, so the credit covers 1,000 queries/month. Set your usage limit in the Brave dashboard to avoid unexpected charges. See the [Brave API portal](https://brave.com/search/api/) for current plans.
+- The Search plan includes the LLM Context endpoint and AI inference rights. Storing results to train or tune models requires a plan with explicit storage rights. See the Brave [Terms of Service](https://api-dashboard.search.brave.com/terms-of-service).
 - Results are cached for 15 minutes by default (configurable via `cacheTtlMinutes`).
 
 See [Web tools](/tools/web) for the full web_search configuration.

docs/reference/api-usage-costs.md

@@ -79,11 +79,16 @@ See [Memory](/concepts/memory).
 
 `web_search` uses API keys and may incur usage charges depending on your provider:
 
-- **Perplexity Search API**: `PERPLEXITY_API_KEY`
 - **Brave Search API**: `BRAVE_API_KEY` or `tools.web.search.apiKey`
 - **Gemini (Google Search)**: `GEMINI_API_KEY`
 - **Grok (xAI)**: `XAI_API_KEY`
 - **Kimi (Moonshot)**: `KIMI_API_KEY` or `MOONSHOT_API_KEY`
+- **Perplexity Search API**: `PERPLEXITY_API_KEY`
+
+**Brave Search free credit:** Each Brave plan includes $5/month in renewing
+free credit. The Search plan costs $5 per 1,000 requests, so the credit covers
+1,000 requests/month at no charge. Set your usage limit in the Brave dashboard
+to avoid unexpected charges.
 
 See [Web tools](/tools/web).
 

docs/tools/web.md

@@ -56,10 +56,14 @@ Use `openclaw configure --section web` to set up your API key and choose a provi
 ### Brave Search
 
 1. Create a Brave Search API account at [brave.com/search/api](https://brave.com/search/api/)
-2. In the dashboard, choose the **Data for Search** plan (not "Data for AI") and generate an API key.
+2. In the dashboard, choose the **Search** plan and generate an API key.
 3. Run `openclaw configure --section web` to store the key in config, or set `BRAVE_API_KEY` in your environment.
 
-Brave provides paid plans; check the Brave API portal for the current limits and pricing.
+Each Brave plan includes **$5/month in free credit** (renewing). The Search
+plan costs $5 per 1,000 requests, so the credit covers 1,000 queries/month. Set
+your usage limit in the Brave dashboard to avoid unexpected charges. See the
+[Brave API portal](https://brave.com/search/api/) for current plans and
+pricing.
 
 ### Perplexity Search