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:

• The Executive Summary: Answer the question directly in 1-2 paragraphs.

• 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)."

• 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• Check Dates: Is this info outdated?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:

• Search for the core concept.

• Read the top results to understand the vocabulary.

• Refine search with specific technical terms found in step 2.

• Synthesize findings into a structured report.

for "Tech Stack Comparison":

• Identify criteria (e.g., Performance, Cost, DX).

• Search for specific comparisons (e.g., "Mongoose vs Prisma performance").

• Create a comparison matrix.

• Provide a recommendation based on specific use cases.