deep-research

name	deep-research
description	Use when user requests research requiring multiple sources, comprehensive analysis, or synthesis across topics - technical research, domain knowledge gathering, market analysis, or learning about complex subjects

Deep Research

Autonomous multi-agent research system. Dispatches parallel sub-agents, stores findings to files, synthesizes into briefs or reports.

Core principle: Planning → Parallel research agents → File-based findings → Synthesis = high quality research with minimal context usage.

When to Use

digraph when_to_use {
    "User requests research?" [shape=diamond];
    "Quick factual lookup?" [shape=diamond];
    "Use single search tool directly" [shape=box];
    "Multiple sources or synthesis needed?" [shape=diamond];
    "deep-research" [shape=box];

    "User requests research?" -> "Quick factual lookup?" [label="yes"];
    "Quick factual lookup?" -> "Use single search tool directly" [label="yes"];
    "Quick factual lookup?" -> "Multiple sources or synthesis needed?" [label="no"];
    "Multiple sources or synthesis needed?" -> "deep-research" [label="yes"];
}

Use for: Technical research, domain knowledge, market analysis, architectural patterns, comparing approaches, learning complex topics

Don't use for: Single fact lookups, specific URL fetches, questions answerable in one search

The Process

digraph process {
    rankdir=TB;

    "Create research directory in scratchpad" -> "Dispatch Query Analyzer agent";
    "Dispatch Query Analyzer agent" -> "Analyzer writes research-plan.md";
    "Analyzer writes research-plan.md" -> "Read plan, dispatch N Research agents IN PARALLEL";
    "Read plan, dispatch N Research agents IN PARALLEL" -> "Each agent writes findings-{thread}.md";
    "Each agent writes findings-{thread}.md" -> "Wait for all agents";
    "Wait for all agents" -> "Dispatch Synthesizer agent";
    "Dispatch Synthesizer agent" -> "Synthesizer reads all findings, writes final-output.md";
    "Synthesizer reads all findings, writes final-output.md" -> "Read final output, present summary to user";
}

Quick Reference

Phase 1: Planning (Query Analyzer Agent)

Uses ./query-analyzer-prompt.md. Writes research-plan.md containing:

• Query type: technical | domain | hybrid
• Complexity: simple (2-3 agents) | moderate (3-4) | complex (5-6)
• Research threads with source recommendations
• Output format recommendation: brief | report

Phase 2: Parallel Research

Uses ./research-agent-prompt.md. Each agent:

1. Invokes exa-search skill for source strategy
2. Executes searches (Exa-primary, see Source Selection below)
3. Writes findings-{thread-name}.md

Source Selection:

Query Signal	Primary Source
Code, APIs, libraries	mcp__exa__get_code_context_exa
Concepts, analysis, opinions	mcp__exa__web_search_exa
Video explanations needed	yt-transcribe skill
Very recent news (< 1 week)	WebSearch fallback

Phase 3: Synthesis

Uses ./synthesizer-prompt.md. Reads all findings files, writes final-output.md:

• Actionable Brief (~300 words): Simple query + clear consensus
• Structured Report (~1500 words): Complex query or conflicting findings

Agent Dispatch Methods

For complex queries (4+ threads): Use Task tool with subagent_type: "general-purpose" for true sub-agent isolation. Dispatch all research agents in a single message (parallel Task calls).

For simpler queries (2-3 threads): Parallel tool calls within same context is acceptable - make all searches simultaneously, then write findings files.

Either way: research threads must execute in parallel, not sequentially.

File Structure

{scratchpad}/deep-research-{timestamp}/
├── research-plan.md
├── findings-*.md
└── final-output.md

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Doing research yourself instead of dispatching agents	Always use the three-phase architecture
Keeping findings in context instead of files	Each agent MUST write to files
Sequential research agents	Dispatch all research agents in PARALLEL
Skipping planning phase	Always run Query Analyzer first
Using WebSearch as default	Exa is primary; WebSearch only for very recent news

Red Flags - STOP

• "I'll just do a quick search myself" → Use the full process
• "I don't need to write files for this" → Files are mandatory
• "I'll research these topics one at a time" → Parallel dispatch
• "This is simple, I'll skip planning" → Always plan first