name: research description: "Deep research skill - comprehensive information gathering and analysis using multi-model orchestration" trigger: "research"
Research Skill
Overview
A comprehensive research skill that triggers when you say "research something" or similar phrases. Uses multi-model orchestration for deep, thorough information gathering and analysis.
Trigger Phrases
The skill activates when messages contain:
- "research" (as a verb: "research X", "do research on Y")
- "look into"
- "investigate"
- "find information about"
- "analyze" (when combined with research intent)
- "study" (when research-focused)
Architecture
1. Research Pipeline
Research Request → Query Analysis → Multi-Model Orchestration → Synthesis → Report
2. Model Coordination
- Research Phase: gemini-pro (research capability)
- Analysis Phase: claude-sonnet (reasoning + analysis)
- Writing Phase: gpt-4 (creativity + writing)
- Review Phase: claude-sonnet (review)
3. Information Sources
- Web search (when Brave API available)
- Academic/scholarly sources
- Current news (time-sensitive topics)
- Official documentation
- Memory system (past research)
Usage
Basic Research
User: "research quantum computing applications"
→ Skill triggers
→ Multi-model orchestration executes
→ Returns comprehensive research report
Complex Research
User: "research the impact of AI on social work education"
→ Skill triggers with complexity analysis
→ Parallel research on multiple aspects
→ Integrated analysis with citations
Research with Constraints
User: "research renewable energy policies in Europe, focus on Germany"
→ Skill triggers with specific scope
→ Targeted research with geographic focus
→ Comparative analysis
Implementation
Core Components
research_skill.py- Main skill handlerresearch_pipeline.py- Multi-stage research workflowquery_analyzer.py- Parse research intent and scopesource_tracker.py- Track information sources and citations
Integration Points
- Multi-Model Orchestrator - Coordinates AI models for research
- Perplexity-Inspired Skill - Query analysis and source citation
- Async Agent Pattern - Long-running research tasks
- Memory System - Store and retrieve research findings
Research Methodology
1. Scope Definition
- Identify research question
- Determine breadth vs. depth
- Set time constraints (current vs. historical)
- Define required sources
2. Information Gathering
- Multi-source collection
- Source credibility assessment
- Time sensitivity consideration
- Cross-verification
3. Analysis & Synthesis
- Pattern identification
- Trend analysis
- Comparative evaluation
- Gap identification
4. Report Generation
- Structured format
- Source citations
- Key findings summary
- Recommendations/next steps
Output Format
Standard Research Report
# Research Report: [Topic]
## Executive Summary
Brief overview of key findings
## Research Methodology
- Scope definition
- Sources used
- Analysis approach
## Key Findings
1. Finding 1 with supporting evidence
2. Finding 2 with supporting evidence
3. Finding 3 with supporting evidence
## Analysis
- Trends and patterns
- Comparative insights
- Implications
## Sources
1. [Source 1] - Type, date, relevance
2. [Source 2] - Type, date, relevance
3. [Source 3] - Type, date, relevance
## Recommendations
- Further research areas
- Practical applications
- Limitations
## Research Metadata
- Date conducted: [timestamp]
- Models used: [list]
- Confidence score: [0.0-1.0]
- Time spent: [duration]
Configuration
Research Depth Levels
- Quick - Surface-level, 1-2 models, <5 minutes
- Standard - Comprehensive, 2-3 models, 5-15 minutes
- Deep - Thorough, 3+ models, 15-30+ minutes
- Academic - Scholarly, multiple sources, citations, peer-review style
Source Priority
- Academic - Peer-reviewed journals, conferences
- Official - Government reports, organizational publications
- News - Current events, recent developments
- Web - General information, blogs, documentation
Examples
Example 1: Technology Research
User: "research blockchain scalability solutions"
→ Triggers research skill
→ Uses: gemini-pro (research) → claude-sonnet (analysis) → gpt-4 (writing)
→ Returns: Comprehensive report on Layer 2, sharding, consensus algorithms
Example 2: Social Science Research
User: "research effects of social media on mental health in adolescents"
→ Triggers research skill
→ Uses: gemini-pro (academic sources) → claude-sonnet (analysis) → review
→ Returns: Research with academic citations, statistical analysis
Example 3: Current Events Research
User: "research recent developments in quantum computing 2025"
→ Triggers research skill with time sensitivity
→ Prioritizes recent sources (<6 months)
→ Returns: Current state analysis with timeline
Integration with Existing Workflow
Heartbeat Integration
Research tasks can be scheduled via heartbeat for:
- Daily research briefings
- Weekly topic deep dives
- Ongoing research projects
Memory Integration
- Store research findings in memory system
- Create research topic embeddings
- Enable semantic search across past research
- Build knowledge graph of research topics
Project Integration
- Link research to thesis projects
- Track research progress
- Organize findings by project
- Generate literature reviews
Quality Assurance
Validation Methods
- Cross-model verification - Multiple models analyze same data
- Source credibility scoring - Rate sources by authority/recency
- Consistency checking - Ensure findings are internally consistent
- Bias detection - Identify potential biases in sources/analysis
Confidence Scoring
- High (0.8-1.0) - Multiple reliable sources, consistent findings
- Medium (0.5-0.8) - Limited sources, some uncertainty
- Low (0.0-0.5) - Inconclusive, needs more research
Limitations
Current Constraints
- Web search dependency - Requires Brave API for external research
- Model availability - Limited to configured AI models
- Time constraints - Deep research requires significant time
- Source access - Some sources may be paywalled or restricted
Mitigation Strategies
- Use memory system for past research
- Leverage multi-model analysis for depth
- Implement progressive disclosure (quick → deep)
- Cache research findings for similar queries
Future Enhancements
Planned Features
- Automated literature review - Academic paper analysis
- Research topic tracking - Monitor developments over time
- Comparative research - Side-by-side analysis of multiple topics
- Visual research outputs - Charts, graphs, timelines
- Collaborative research - Share findings, peer review
Integration Goals
- Thesis research assistant - Specialized for academic research
- News monitoring - Daily research briefings on selected topics
- Knowledge base builder - Automatically expand memory system
- Research dashboard - Track all research activities and findings
Usage Notes
Best Practices
- Be specific - Clear research questions yield better results
- Set scope - Define breadth/depth expectations
- Consider time - Recent vs. historical information needs
- Review sources - Always check source credibility
Common Use Cases
- Academic research support
- Market/competitor analysis
- Technology evaluation
- Policy research
- Historical analysis
- Current events monitoring
Quick Start
Basic Usage
Just say "research [topic]" and the skill will automatically:
- Analyze your query
- Determine appropriate research depth
- Coordinate multiple AI models
- Return comprehensive findings
Advanced Usage
For more control, specify:
- "deep research on [topic]" - More thorough analysis
- "quick research on [topic]" - Surface-level overview
- "academic research on [topic]" - Scholarly focus
- "current research on [topic]" - Recent developments only