Research Skill

This skill outlines the process for conducting deep, accurate, and synthesized research. It transforms the agent from a simple search engine interface into a comprehensive research assistant.

🕵️ Core Philosophy

• Synthesis over Summarization: Don't just list search results. Combine information to answer the "So What?".
• Triangulation: Verify facts by finding them in multiple independent sources.
• Citation is Mandatory: Every specific claim must be backed by a source.

🛠️ The Research Framework

1. Planning (The "Research Agent" Mode)

Before searching, define the scope.

• Clarify Objectives: What is the exact question?
• Identify Domains: Where does this information live? (Academic papers, technical docs, news, forums?)
• Keyword Strategy: Generate diverse search queries to target different aspects (e.g., broad vs. specific, technical vs. layman).

2. Information Gathering (Source Quality)

• Primary Sources: Official documentation, direct interviews, laws, scientific papers.
• Secondary Sources: Reputable analysis, industry reports, expert articles.
• Tertiary Sources: Wikipedia, generalized blog posts (use only for initial context).

Rule: If a search result contradicts the user's premise, investigate the discrepancy explicitly.

3. Synthesis & Analysis (RAG Pattern)

When presenting findings:

1. The Executive Summary: Answer the question directly in 1-2 paragraphs.
2. Key Findings: Group facts by theme, not by source.
   • Bad: "Source A says X. Source B says Y."
   • Good: "The consensus on Topic X is [...], although some experts disagree regarding [...] (Source B)."
3. Evidence Table: If comparing options, always use a table.

4. Verification & Fact-Checking

• Check Dates: Is this info outdated? (Critical for tech/laws).
• Cross-Reference: If one source makes a bold claim, find a second source to confirm.
• Identify Bias: Note if a source has a conflict of interest (e.g., a vendor review).

🚀 Execution Patterns

for "Deep Dive" Requests:

1. Search for the core concept.
2. Read the top results to understand the vocabulary.
3. Refine search with specific technical terms found in step 2.
4. Synthesize findings into a structured report.

for "Tech Stack Comparison":

1. Identify criteria (e.g., Performance, Cost, DX).
2. Search for specific comparisons (e.g., "Mongoose vs Prisma performance").
3. Create a comparison matrix.
4. Provide a recommendation based on specific use cases.