external-research

name	external-research
description	Use when the task involves an external library or package and current API docs are needed before writing code.
context	fork
agent	external-scout

External Scout

Overview

Fetch and cache current documentation for external libraries and frameworks. Training data is outdated—this skill ensures you use current, correct API patterns.

Announce at start: "I'm using the external-scout skill to fetch current docs for [package]."

The Process

Step 1: Invoke External-Scout

Request documentation with package and topic:

/external-scout <package> <topic>

Examples:

/external-scout drizzle schemas
/external-scout react hooks
/external-scout express middleware
/external-scout zod validation

Step 2: Check Response

External-scout returns JSON with cached file paths:

{
  "status": "success",
  "package": "drizzle",
  "topic": "schemas",
  "cached": true,
  "files": [
    ".tmp/external-context/drizzle/schemas.md"
  ],
  "metadata": {
    "cachedAt": "2026-02-16T10:30:00Z",
    "source": "context7",
    "age": "fresh"
  }
}

Cache status:

• "fresh" — < 7 days old (use cached)
• "stale" — > 7 days old (re-fetches automatically)

Step 3: Load Cached Documentation

Read the returned file:

Read: .tmp/external-context/drizzle/schemas.md

This file contains current API patterns, examples, and best practices.

Step 4: Apply to Implementation

Use loaded documentation to:

• Verify API signatures are correct
• Follow current patterns (not training data)
• Check for deprecations
• Use new features introduced since training

Step 5: Implement with Confidence

Now that you have current docs, implement following verified patterns.

Example: Using Drizzle ORM

1. Invoke: /external-scout drizzle schemas

2. Response:
   {
     "status": "success",
     "files": [".tmp/external-context/drizzle/schemas.md"]
   }

3. Load: Read .tmp/external-context/drizzle/schemas.md

4. Review: Current API for defining tables and relations

5. Implement: Use current patterns from loaded docs

Cache Location

.tmp/external-context/
├── drizzle/
│   ├── .metadata.json
│   ├── schemas.md
│   └── queries.md
├── react/
│   ├── .metadata.json
│   └── hooks.md
└── express/
    ├── .metadata.json
    └── middleware.md

Cache files auto-refresh after 7 days.

Error Handling

"External documentation fetch failed":

• Check internet connection
• Try again in a few minutes
• Fallback: Visit official docs manually

"Cache is stale, re-fetching":

• Normal behavior—external-scout auto-fetches fresh docs

"Package not found in Context7":

• Visit official package documentation
• Check npm/PyPI for package README
• Review GitHub repository for API docs

Remember

• Training data is OUTDATED—always fetch current patterns
• Cache lasts 7 days before auto-refresh
• Load external docs BEFORE writing code
• Trust current docs over training data assumptions
• External docs prevent using deprecated APIs

Related

• context-discovery
• code-execution

---

Task: Fetch external documentation for: $ARGUMENTS

Check cache first (< 7 days fresh), fetch from Context7 if needed, return file paths for loading.