research

Files (2)

• SKILL.md
• reference.md

SKILL.md (first lines)

# Research

Applies [CONCEPT_RESEARCH](../concepts/CONCEPT_RESEARCH.md) and
[CONCEPT_SKILL](../concepts/CONCEPT_SKILL.md) as a **multi-axis**
investigation. Produces **finding docs**. A workflow may apply them as
supportive context. They do not settle product decisions.

**On invoke:** read [CONCEPT_RESEARCH](../concepts/CONCEPT_RESEARCH.md),
[CONCEPT_SKILL](../concepts/CONCEPT_SKILL.md),
[reference.md](reference.md), and [../workflow/SKILL.md](../workflow/SKILL.md).
When spawning axis workers, also read
[CONCEPT_DELEGATION](../concepts/CONCEPT_DELEGATION.md).

## Extensions

| Slot | This skill |
|------|------------|
| **Research axes** | Preprints (arXiv), Formal written, Web discovery, Informal / practitioner — all by default |
| **Retrieval path** | See table; arXiv details in [reference.md](reference.md) |
| **Artifact** | `RESEARCH.md` (path from WORKSPACE) |
| **Citation rules** | Every claim → retrieved evidence; durable ID/URL + **axis** label |
| **Pipeline continuity** | Commit `RESEARCH.md` onto the delivery branch; never open a PR |
| **Model routing** | CONCEPT_DELEGATION when axes are workers; synthesis stays on manager |

| Axis | Primary retrieval |
|------|-------------------|
| **Preprints (arXiv)** | `scripts/arxiv_research.py` first ([reference.md](reference.md)); curl/WebFetch API fallback only if Python unavailable |
| **Formal written** | WebSearch → WebFetch durable pages (DOI, publisher, IETF, ISO, W3C, …) |
| **Web discovery** | 2–4 complementary WebSearch queries; WebFetch primary pages |
| **Informal / practitioner** | WebSearch + WebFetch; **always label informal** |

## Steps

Follow CONCEPT_RESEARCH flow. Specialisations:

1. **Scope and plan axes** — Default to all four axes; when the user narrows the pass, record the included axes and reason. Write queries/targets into Search strategy. Done when every included axis has a retrieval plan and every skipped axis has a reason.
2. **Retrieve and synthesize** — Run axes in parallel when tools allow; otherwise Preprints → Formal → Web → Informal. Prefer one multi-`-q` arXiv search, dedupe by DOI / arXiv ID / canonical URL, and prefer multi-axis hits. Done when the CONCEPT_RESEARCH completion bars hold for retrieval, triage, deep read, and synthesis.
3. **Persist** — Write `RESEARCH.md` onto the delivery branch (no PR); when linked, apply the research tracker row. Record outcome `ready`. Apply the workflow transition. Done when claims are traceable and the artifact is on the delivery head with Task and mirrors agreed.

## Artifact

```markdown
# Research brief: <topic>

## Question
…

## Axes covered
| Axis | Status | Notes |
|------|--------|-------|
| Preprints (arXiv) | covered / skipped | … |
| Formal written | covered / skipped | … |
| Web discovery | covered / skipped | … |
| Informal / practitioner | covered / skipped | … |

## Search strategy
… (queries / targets per axis)

## Executive summary
… (what the sources say — not what we will build)

## Key sources
… (mixed axes; title, axis, ID/URL, one-line relevance)

## Themes and trends
… (agreements / disagreements across axes)

## Gaps and limitations
…

## Recommended reading order
… (sources to study — not a product plan)

## Role
Supportive finding doc. Not a product plan.

## Sources
… (full citations + axis)

## Tracker
- Task: <KEY> (if linked)
- Artifact: RESEARCH.md
- Branch: <delivery-branch>
- PR: — (research never opens a PR)
```

## Pipeline continuity

When a Task key is given/inferred:

Follow [finding-docs continuity](../workflow/delivery.md#rules) and the
[research tracker row](../workflow/tracker-sync.md#matrix). Commit
`RESEARCH.md` onto the **delivery** Task’s branch (create the branch if needed;
reuse the downstream delivery head when this is a supportive-only route Task).
**Never open a PR.** Leave delivery-Task status unchanged; mark a supportive-only
route Task **Done** at handoff. Update ROADMAP notes / PLAN Inputs when present.
Record the artifact, short summary, branch, and enabled mirror;
external artifacts are pushed into the Task without starting a branch.

## Inputs

| Input | When present | When absent |
|-------|----------------|-------------|
| Question | Apply it | Ask once what to investigate |
| Task, `ROADMAP.md`, or definition spec | Use as the question boundary | Investigate the question the user named |

## Output

`RESEARCH.md` — citable finding doc. Outcome: `ready`.

This skill does not name a successor. Apply the workflow transition before the turn ends. Standalone work still writes `RESEARCH.md`; with no bound workflow, **Next** is none.

From marcuskrogh/skills, MIT.

More from marcuskrogh/skills