search-first

# /search-first — Research Before You Code Systematizes the "search for existing solutions before implementing" workflow. ## Trigger Use this skill when: - Starting a new feature that likely has existing solutions - Adding a dependency or integration - The user asks "add X functionality" and you're about to write code - Before creating a new utility, helper, or abstraction ## Workflow ``` ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ 1. NEED ANALYSIS │ │ Define what functionality is needed │ │ Identify language/framework constraints │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ 2. PARALLEL SEARCH (researcher agent) │ │ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ │ │ │ npm / │ │ MCP / │ │ GitHub / │ │ │ │ PyPI │ │ Skills │ │ Web │ │ │ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ 3. EVALUATE │ │ Score candidates (functionality, maint, │ │ community, docs, license, deps) │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ 4. DECIDE │ │ ┌─────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌─────────┐ │ │ │ Adopt │ │ Extend │ │ Build │ │ │ │ as-is │ │ /Wrap │ │ Custom │ │ │ └─────────┘ └──────────┘ └─────────┘ │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ 5. IMPLEMENT │ │ Install package / Configure MCP / │ │ Write minimal custom code │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ``` ## Decision Matrix | Signal | Action | |--------|--------| | Exact match, well-maintained, MIT/Apache | **Adopt** — install and use directly | | Partial match, good foundation | **Extend** — install + write thin wrapper | | Multiple weak matches | **Compose** — combine 2-3 small packages | | Nothing suitable found | **Build** — write custom, but informed by research | ## How to Use ### Quick Mode (inline) Before writing a utility or adding functionality, mentally run through: 0. Does this already exist in the repo? → Search through relevant modules/tests first 1. Is this a common problem? → Search npm/PyPI 2. Is there an MCP for this? → Check MCP configuration and search 3. Is there a skill for this? → Check available skills 4. Is there a GitHub implementation/template? → Run GitHub code search for maintained OSS before writing net-new code ### Full Mode (subagent) For non-trivial functionality, delegate to a research-focused subagent: ``` Invoke subagent with prompt: "Research existing tools for: [DESCRIPTION] Language/framework: [LANG] Constraints: [ANY] Search: npm/PyPI, MCP servers, skills, GitHub Return: Structured comparison with recommendation" ``` ## Search Shortcuts by Category ### Development Tooling - Linting → `eslint`, `ruff`, `textlint`, `markdownlint` - Formatting → `prettier`, `black`, `gofmt` - Testing → `jest`, `pytest`, `go test` - Pre-commit → `husky`, `lint-staged`, `pre-commit` ### AI/LLM Integration - Claude SDK → Check for latest docs - Prompt management → Check MCP servers - Document processing → `unstructured`, `pdfplumber`, `mammoth` ### Data & APIs - HTTP clients → `httpx` (Python), `ky`/`got` (Node) - Validation → `zod` (TS), `pydantic` (Python) - Database → Check for MCP servers first ### Content & Publishing - Markdown processing → `remark`, `unified`, `markdown-it` - Image optimization → `sharp`, `imagemin` ## Integration Points ### With planner agent The planner should invoke researcher before Phase 1 (Architecture Review): - Researcher identifies available tools - Planner incorporates them into the implementation plan - Avoids "reinventing the wheel" in the plan ### With architect agent The architect should consult researcher for: - Technology stack decisions - Integration pattern discovery - Existing reference architectures ### With iterative-retrieval skill Combine for progressive discovery: - Cycle 1: Broad search (npm, PyPI, MCP) - Cycle 2: Evaluate top candidates in detail - Cycle 3: Test compatibility with project constraints ## Examples ### Example 1: "Add dead link checking" ``` Need: Check markdown files for broken links Search: npm "markdown dead link checker" Found: textlint-rule-no-dead-link (score: 9/10) Action: ADOPT — npm install textlint-rule-no-dead-link Result: Zero custom code, battle-tested solution ``` ### Example 2: "Add HTTP client wrapper" ``` Need: Resilient HTTP client with retries and timeout handling Search: npm "http client retry", PyPI "httpx retry" Found: got (Node) with retry plugin, httpx (Python) with built-in retry Action: ADOPT — use got/httpx directly with retry config Result: Zero custom code, production-proven libraries ``` ### Example 3: "Add config file linter" ``` Need: Validate project config files against a schema Search: npm "config linter schema", "json schema validator cli" Found: ajv-cli (score: 8/10) Action: ADOPT + EXTEND — install ajv-cli, write project-specific schema Result: 1 package + 1 schema file, no custom validation logic ``` ## Anti-Patterns - **Jumping to code**: Writing a utility without checking if one exists - **Ignoring MCP**: Not checking if an MCP server already provides the capability - **Over-customizing**: Wrapping a library so heavily it loses its benefits - **Dependency bloat**: Installing a massive package for one small feature ## When to Use This Skill - Starting new features - Adding dependencies or integrations - Before writing utilities or helpers - When evaluating technology choices - Planning architecture decisions