deep-research

name	deep-research
user-invocable	false
description	Orchestrates two-round parallel agent research with Exa orientation, breadth-first discovery, and depth-focused synthesis. Use when conducting comprehensive research, exploring complex topics requiring multi-source validation, or synthesizing findings from distributed investigation streams.

[H1][DEEP-RESEARCH]

Dictum: Iterative dispatch with inter-round critique maximizes research coverage.

Conduct comprehensive topic research via parallel agent dispatch.

Workflow:

1. §ORIENT — Execute 3 Exa searches via exa-tools skill, map landscape, extract facets
2. §ROUND_1 — Dispatch 6-10 agents for breadth coverage via parallel-dispatch skill
3. §CRITIQUE_1 — Filter findings, retain quality, build skeleton with gaps
4. §ROUND_2 — Dispatch 6-10 agents to flesh out skeleton
5. §CRITIQUE_2 — Synthesize holistically, deduplicate, produce final output

Dependencies:

• exa-tools — Web search and code context queries (primary)
• perplexity-tools — Deep research and reasoning queries (supplementary)
• tavily-tools — Web search with domain governance (supplementary)
• parallel-dispatch — Agent orchestration mechanics

Input:

• Topic: Domain to research
• OutputPath: Target file path (passed by invoking command, default: report.md)
• Constraints: Context, scaffold, style from invoking skill

[CRITICAL]:

• [ALWAYS] Main agent writes to OutputPath only—no other files.
• [ALWAYS] Sub-agents RETURN structured text—main agent is sole file writer.
• [NEVER] Sub-agents use Write, Edit, Bash, or create any files.

---

[1][ORIENT]

Dictum: Initial queries map landscape before dispatch.

Main agent executes exactly 3 Exa searches via exa-tools skill before dispatch.

Map domain landscape; identify facets for agent assignment. Produce facet list (6-10 independent research areas) for Round 1.

[IMPORTANT]:

• [ALWAYS] Execute 3 Exa searches via exa-tools skill before dispatch.
• [ALWAYS] Extract facet boundaries from results.
• [ALWAYS] Use deep search tier for highest-quality results when topic warrants it.
• [NEVER] Dispatch before orient completes.
• [NEVER] Accept sources older than 6 months unless topic is historical.

---

[2][ROUND_1]

Dictum: Breadth via parallel dispatch—6-10 agents exploring independent facets.

Dispatch 6-10 sub-agents via parallel-dispatch. Assign each agent unique scope from orient facets.

Agent Count: Scale by task complexity (default: 6).

Agent Prompt:

Scope: [Specific facet from orient]
Objective: Research this facet comprehensively
Output: Return structured text (CRITICAL → FINDINGS → SOURCES)
Context: [Topic background, constraints]
Constraint: DO NOT write files—return text only

[CRITICAL]:

• [ALWAYS] Dispatch ALL agents in ONE message block.
• [ALWAYS] Include "DO NOT write files" constraint in every agent prompt.
• [NEVER] Create overlapping scopes.

---

[3][CRITIQUE_1]

Dictum: Main agent builds skeleton—retains quality, identifies gaps.

Main agent (NOT sub-agent) processes Round 1 outputs.

[INDEX]	[ACTION]	[CRITERIA]
[1]	Remove	Lacks focus, duplicates, no sources, pre-2025, fails quality
[2]	Retain	Addresses topic, sources, dates 2025-2026, converges across range

Build skeleton from retained findings: [Domain N]: [findings] + Gaps: + Depth-Targets:

[CRITICAL] Skeleton is first corpus—Round 2 fleshes it out.

---

[4][ROUND_2]

Dictum: Depth via parallel dispatch—same agent count, focused on skeleton gaps.

Dispatch 6-10 sub-agents (same count as Round 1) via parallel-dispatch.

Agent Assignment:

[INDEX]	[TYPE]	[PURPOSE]	[COUNT]
[1]	Focused	Specific gaps from skeleton	4-6
[2]	Wide	Broader context for areas	2-4

Agent Prompt:

Scope: [Gap or depth-target from skeleton]
Objective: [Focused: fill gap | Wide: broaden context]
Output: Return structured text (CRITICAL → FINDINGS → SOURCES)
Context: [Skeleton content—build on, don't repeat]
Prior: [Relevant Round 1 findings]
Constraint: DO NOT write files—return text only

[CRITICAL]:

• [ALWAYS] Same agent count as Round 1.
• [ALWAYS] Include skeleton context.
• [ALWAYS] Include "DO NOT write files" constraint in every agent prompt.

---

[5][CRITIQUE_2]

Dictum: Main agent synthesizes holistically—final corpus for downstream use.

Main agent (NOT sub-agent) compiles final research output and writes to OutputPath.

Integrate: Merge Round 2 → skeleton. Cross-reference rounds. Resolve conflicts (prioritize sourced, current, convergent).
Filter: Remove duplicates, out-of-scope content, superseded items, unresolved conflicts.
Write: Single file to OutputPath:

• ## [1][FINDINGS] — Synthesized research by domain
• ## [2][CONFIDENCE] — High (convergent), Medium (single-source), Low (gaps)
• ## [3][SOURCES] — All sources with attribution

---

[6][VALIDATION]

Dictum: Gates prevent incomplete synthesis.

[VERIFY]:

• Orient: 3 Exa searches executed via exa-tools skill
• Round 1: 6-10 agents in ONE message, all returned text (no file writes)
• Critique 1: Skeleton built, gaps identified
• Round 2: Same count, focused on skeleton, all returned text (no file writes)
• Critique 2: Final synthesis, duplicates removed
• Single file written to OutputPath by main agent only