batch_search

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ADVANCED / manual selection. Do NOT use this to build a shopping list: for any list of 2 or more items, call build_basket (one call, server-side, cheapest pick per item). Use batch_search only when you need the RAW candidate products for items you intend to select MANUALLY (for example, to override build_basket's pick on one item). It searches multiple items in parallel and returns raw candidate products per query (up to candidates_per_retailer per retailer) with NO filtering or scoring applied. WORKFLOW: 1. Call batch_search with your shopping list items 2. Review the candidates for each item. For each query, pick the single best product_id per retailer that actually matches what the user wants (correct product type, reasonable size, not a different product). If none of the candidates are a good match for a query, call batch_search again with a refined query (e.g., more specific terms, different wording) 3. Once you have confirmed product_id selections for all items, call save_basket with your picks TIPS: - Set product_type to help narrow results to the right category (e.g., fresh_produce for herbs and vegetables) - Each candidate includes a product_categories field (JSON array of retailer category labels like 'Yoghurt', 'Herbs & Spices', 'Sausages'). Use this to distinguish the actual product type when names are ambiguous (e.g., 'oregano' the herb vs 'oregano sausages') - Prefer products where the name clearly matches the query intent - For staples (milk, eggs, bread), the cheapest option is usually the store brand - If results look wrong (e.g., searching 'rosemary' returns snacks instead of herbs), retry with a more specific query like 'fresh rosemary' - Each item includes a 'cheapest' hint with one entry per retailer. This is the cheapest candidate whose product_categories match the inferred subcategory for the query, NOT necessarily the lowest unit_price overall: a clearly off-category cheaper item (e.g., a snack bar under 'peanut butter') is deliberately excluded. When no category signal is available it falls back to the raw lowest unit_price. Treat the hint as advisory and confirm against the full candidate list and the user's intended format. AMBIGUITY: When candidates for a query span clearly different product formats (e.g., microwave rice pouches vs dry rice bags, single-serve vs family/bulk sizes, flavoured vs plain variants, fresh vs frozen), ASK the user which format they prefer before selecting a product. Compare the size field across candidates to detect this: a spread from 125g to 5kg signals format ambiguity. Do not silently pick the cheapest option when it may be the wrong format (e.g., a 250g microwave pouch when the user likely wants a 1kg bag).