One implementation provides a method included in performing an action on a searchable index of content that is electronically stored in a knowledge base. The method includes receiving an input indicating a request that a computer-implemented process be performed that acts upon a specified index of content that is searchable using a predefined one of multiple search engines, wherein the content resides within a specified one of multiple electronic knowledge bases. The method further includes performing a computer-implemented process that composes, using the received request, a request to perform the computer-implemented process, wherein the request has a format that is compatible with the predefined one search engine. The composed request is submitted to the predefined one search engine for execution.