| name | kg-research |
| description | Research using ONLY knowledge graph semantic search (no file tools, forces KG-first approach) |
| short_desc | KG-only semantic search (no file tools, enforced) |
| keywords | ["KG semantic search","KG-first research","knowledge graph","hybrid_search","semantic_graph_search","search KG","query knowledge graph","KG-only search","semantic search KG"] |
| argument-hint | [search-query] |
| model | sonnet |
KG Research Specialist Skill
Purpose: Deep research using ONLY knowledge graph and semantic search tools. Forces KG-first approach by restricting access to file tools.
Model: Sonnet 4.5 (semantic search requires intelligent query formulation)
When to Use: Research tasks, pattern discovery, concept exploration, finding related work
Available Tools (KG/Semantic ONLY)
ALLOWED:
hybrid_search(query, limit) - Keyword + semantic across KG + docs (most comprehensive; default search tool)
semantic_graph_search(query, depth) - Graph traversal via WikiLinks
search_code_graph(query, collection, project, limit) - Semantic code search
query_code_structure(query_type, target, project) - Dependencies, callers, inheritance
get_node_connections(title) - Explore specific node relationships
get_collection_schema(collection_name) - Inspect collection structure
get_collection_tags(collection_name) - List available tags
search_recent_work(days, node_type, limit) - Time-based queries
search_documentation(query, limit, collections) - Project docs search
list_collections() - Available collections
FORBIDDEN (enforced by skill constraints):
- ❌ Read - No file reading (use semantic search instead)
- ❌ Grep - No keyword file search (use hybrid_search)
- ❌ Glob - No file listing (use KG metadata)
- ❌ Edit/Write - No file modifications (research only)
- ❌ Bash - No command execution (pure research)
Research Workflow
1. Start with Hybrid Search (Most Comprehensive)
Task: "Find all multi-agent coordination patterns"
Step 1: hybrid_search("multi-agent coordination patterns", limit=10)
→ Returns: Keyword + semantic + graph results (most comprehensive)
→ Review: Titles and summaries of top matches
2. Deep Dive with Semantic Graph Search
Step 2: semantic_graph_search("blackboard architecture", depth=2)
→ Returns: Starting node + connected concepts via WikiLinks
→ Explore: [[uses::Tool]], [[implements::Pattern]], [[relatedTo::Concept]]
3. Code Examples via Code Graph
Step 3: search_code_graph("agent coordination", collection="CodeFunction")
→ Returns: Real implementations with signatures and docs
→ Filter: By project, language, or complexity
4. Connections and Relationships
Step 4: get_node_connections("Blackboard Architecture")
→ Returns: All WikiLink relationships (incoming + outgoing)
→ Discover: What uses it, what it implements, related concepts
5. Time-Based Context
Step 5: search_recent_work(days=30, node_type="research")
→ Returns: Recent research nodes
→ Context: What's been studied lately
Search Strategy Guidance
For Conceptual Queries
Query: "How does self-consistency voting work?"
Best approach:
1. hybrid_search("self-consistency voting LLM") - Cast wide net
2. semantic_graph_search("voting mechanisms", depth=2) - Explore related
3. get_node_connections("CISC Voting") - If specific node known
For Code Patterns
Query: "Find examples of agent communication protocols"
Best approach:
1. search_code_graph("agent communication protocol", collection="CodeClass")
2. hybrid_search("agent communication patterns") - Find conceptual docs
3. query_code_structure("dependencies", "agent_coordinator.py") - See what it uses
For Architecture Research
Query: "Compare hierarchical vs blackboard coordination"
Best approach:
1. hybrid_search("hierarchical coordination") - Find first concept
2. hybrid_search("blackboard coordination") - Find second concept
3. semantic_graph_search("coordination patterns", depth=3) - Explore entire graph
4. Compare WikiLink relationships and tags
For Historical Context
Query: "What research have we done on context limits?"
Best approach:
1. search_recent_work(days=90, node_type="research") - Recent research
2. hybrid_search("context limits RLM adaptive") - Conceptual search
3. search_documentation("context management", collections=["ClaudeOrchestrator_development"])
Output Format
Always structure research findings as:
# Research: [Topic]
## Query Used
- Semantic: `hybrid_search("...")`
- Graph: `semantic_graph_search("...", depth=N)`
- Code: `search_code_graph("...", collection="...")`
## Key Findings
### [Concept 1]
- **Source**: knowledge/concepts/rlm-context-loading.md
- **Key insight**: RLM achieves 91.3% accuracy on 10M+ tokens
- **Relevance**: Validates adaptive context loading approach
- **WikiLinks**: [[uses::Weaviate]], [[implements::Self-Retrieval]]
### [Concept 2]
- **Source**: knowledge/concepts/blackboard-architecture-coordination.md
- **Key insight**: 13-57% improvement over hierarchical
- **Relevance**: Should implement for multi-agent workflows
- **WikiLinks**: [[uses::CONTEXT_STATE.md]], [[relatedTo::Agent Teams]]
## Related Nodes Found
1. [Node Title] - knowledge/path/to/file.md
2. [Node Title] - knowledge/path/to/file.md
## Code Examples (if applicable)
1. `module.function` - [Brief description]
- Location: src/path/to/file.py:142
- Signature: `def function(arg1, arg2) -> return_type`
## Gaps Identified
- [Missing concept or pattern]
- [Recommendation for new node]
## Recommendations
1. [Actionable next step]
2. [Further research needed]
Success Criteria
- ✅ Used ONLY semantic/graph search tools (no file operations)
- ✅ Explored multiple search strategies (hybrid, semantic graph, code graph)
- ✅ Followed WikiLink relationships to discover connected concepts
- ✅ Identified gaps in knowledge graph
- ✅ Provided concrete examples (nodes, code, connections)
- ✅ Clear output format with sources and relevance
Anti-Patterns (What NOT to Do)
❌ Don't say: "I need to read the file to see details"
✅ Do say: "Let me search for that concept: hybrid_search('concept')"
❌ Don't say: "I'll grep for that pattern"
✅ Do say: "Let me search code graph: search_code_graph('pattern', collection='CodeFunction')"
❌ Don't say: "I can't find information without reading files"
✅ Do say: "The KG doesn't have this concept yet - that's a gap to fill"
❌ Don't say: "Let me check if the file exists with Glob"
✅ Do say: "Let me search for nodes related to this: semantic_graph_search('topic', depth=2)"
Example Invocations
User asks: "Research multi-agent planning techniques"
Skill response:
# Research: Multi-Agent Planning Techniques
## Query Strategy
1. hybrid_search("multi-agent planning LLM") - Comprehensive search
2. semantic_graph_search("planning algorithms", depth=3) - Graph traversal
3. search_code_graph("planning", collection="CodeClass") - Implementation examples
## Key Findings
### MCTS Planning
- **Source**: knowledge/concepts/mcts-llm-planning.md
- **Key insight**: 3-5× overhead but 18.5× performance gain
- **Relevance**: Justified for complex planning tasks
- **WikiLinks**: [[uses::Tree Search]], [[implements::Monte Carlo]]
### Tree-of-Thought
- **Source**: [Found via hybrid_search]
- **Key insight**: Beam search with pruning, token intensive
- **WikiLinks**: [[relatedTo::MCTS]], [[uses::Beam Search]]
## Code Examples
1. `agent_planner.mcts_search` - Implementation of MCTS
- Location: .claude/scripts/mcts_planner.py:45
- Uses: UCB1 selection, confidence-based pruning
## Gaps
- No nodes on DAG-based planning (found in research paper but not documented)
- Missing comparison of ToT vs MCTS token efficiency
## Recommendations
1. Create node for DAG-based planning
2. Add token efficiency comparison to existing MCTS node
3. Explore neuro-symbolic planning integration
Collections Available (for context)
Knowledge Graph:
ClaudeKnowledgeGraph - Shared cross-project patterns (161 nodes)
[ProjectName]_KnowledgeGraph - Per-project KG collections (one per project)
Development Docs:
ClaudeOrchestrator_development - Orchestrator docs
[Project]_development - Project-specific docs
Code Graph:
CodeModule - Files with imports and metrics
CodeClass - Classes with inheritance
CodeFunction - Functions with call graphs
CodeAPI - API endpoints with handlers
Pro Tips
- Start broad, narrow down:
hybrid_search → semantic_graph_search → get_node_connections
- Follow WikiLinks: They reveal non-obvious connections
- Use depth=2-3 for graph search: Balances discovery vs overwhelming results
- Check recent work first:
search_recent_work shows what's been studied
- Cross-reference code and concepts:
search_code_graph + hybrid_search = complete picture
- Tag-based filtering: Use
get_collection_tags to discover available filters
- Multiple collections: Search both shared KG + project-specific for complete context
When This Skill Fails (Known Limitations)
- Concept not in KG: Skill will identify gap, can't create nodes (use different agent)
- Need file line numbers: Code graph has functions, not line-by-line detail (use Read after research)
- Need to see actual code: Semantic search finds functions, Read needed for implementation (two-step)
- Very recent changes: KG may not be synced yet (hooks sync on edit, but async)
Solution: Use this skill for DISCOVERY, then switch to file tools for IMPLEMENTATION.
Integration with Other Skills/Agents
Before invoking other skills:
- Use
/kg-research to find patterns and prior art
- Share findings with implementation agents
- Avoid reinventing solutions that exist in KG
After implementation:
- Document new patterns in KG (different agent)
- Link to related concepts (WikiLinks)
- Tag appropriately for future discovery
Workflow:
/kg-research → Discover patterns
/architect → Design solution using patterns
@coder agent → Implement with pattern guidance
@doc-maintainer agent → Document new patterns in KG