research

name	research
version	1.0.0
description	Deep research with citations — vault-first knowledge check then targeted web research to fill gaps
trigger	research|look up|investigate|deep dive|what do we know about|explore topic|find out about
tools	["web","browser","read_file","edit_file","memory_write"]

Research Engine

When triggered, perform research in one of two modes based on context.

Mode Selection

• Quick research: User wants a fast answer. Web search + summarize. Use when the query is narrow and time-sensitive.
• Deep research (vault-first): User wants comprehensive understanding. Scan vault first, identify gaps, then fill with targeted searches. Use when the topic is broad or the user says "deep dive."

Quick Research Pipeline

1. Search — Use web to search 2–3 query variations
2. Gather — Visit top 3–5 results, extract key claims and data
3. Summarize — Structured response with:
   • Key findings (bullet points)
   • Sources table (name, URL, date, confidence)
   • Open questions
4. Save — Create research record: POST /api/researches with title, query, findings, citations (JSON), status: "complete", confidence

Deep Research (Vault-First) Pipeline

1. Vault scan — Search existing vault knowledge on the topic:

   • GET /api/notes?search=<topic>
   • GET /api/syntheses?search=<topic>
   • Compile what the vault already knows

2. Gap analysis — Identify:

   • What the vault knows well (high confidence, multiple sources)
   • What the vault knows poorly (low confidence, single source, stale)
   • What the vault doesn't know at all
   • Questions the vault raises but doesn't answer

3. Targeted search — For each gap:

   • Formulate specific search queries
   • Use web to search, visit top results
   • Focus on filling gaps, not re-confirming known facts

4. Delta report — Present findings as changes to vault knowledge:

   RESEARCH: <topic>
   
   VAULT ALREADY KNOWS:
   - <fact> (confidence: high, from <source>)
   - <fact> (confidence: medium, from <source>)
   
   NEW FINDINGS:
   - <new fact> (source: <url>, confidence: <level>)
   - <updated fact> (was: <old>, now: <new>, source: <url>)
   
   CONTRADICTIONS WITH VAULT:
   - <vault says X, new source says Y>
   
   STILL UNKNOWN:
   - <question that research couldn't answer>
   
   SOURCES: <N> consulted, <M> cited
   

5. Ingest — Save all new findings as vault notes following the ingest skill pattern:

   • Rewrite existing notes with new info
   • Create new notes for new entities/claims
   • Flag contradictions
   • POST /api/researches with full metadata

Citation Standard

Every factual claim must include:

[<claim>] — <source name>, <url>, <date accessed>, confidence: <high|medium|low>

Confidence levels:

• High: Primary source, peer-reviewed, official documentation, or 3+ independent sources agree
• Medium: Reputable secondary source, or 2 independent sources agree
• Low: Single source, unverified, opinion piece, or source known for unreliability

Research Record Schema

title: "<topic>"
query: "<original user query>"
mode: "quick" | "deep"
findings: "<structured summary>"
citations: JSON array of { source, url, date, confidence, claim }
status: "complete" | "in_progress" | "needs_followup"
confidence: "high" | "medium" | "low"
gapsFilled: <number>
contradictionsFound: <number>
notesUpdated: <number>
notesCreated: <number>