| name | research |
| description | Research workflow — use when asked to research a topic, investigate options, compare approaches, or find the best solution. For high-stakes or complex questions, use deep-research instead. |
Research Workflow
Lifecycle: clarify, decompose, search, summarize, corroborate, synthesize.
Step 1: Clarify
Ask the user:
- What specifically are we trying to learn?
- What constraints matter (language, framework, scale)?
- Any sources they already know about?
Restate the research question precisely. Don't proceed until clear.
Step 2: Decompose
Break into 3-5 sub-questions with explicit retrieval goals:
- Each targets a DIFFERENT angle (definition, evidence, criticism, alternatives, recency)
- Include at least one query seeking disconfirming evidence or criticism
- No two queries should return the same results
Step 3: Search
Execute all sub-question searches. Collect titles, URLs, key snippets.
Step 4: Summarize Sources
For the 3-5 most promising URLs, fetch and summarize into 3-5 key claims with source attribution. Do NOT carry raw page content forward.
Step 5: Corroborate
For each key claim:
- CONFIRMED (2+ independent sources agree)
- UNCORROBORATED (only 1 source)
- CONTESTED (sources disagree)
Escalation Check
Ask the user to upgrade to deep research if:
- 3+ CONTESTED claims
- High-stakes domain (security, architecture, compliance)
- Most claims are UNCORROBORATED
Never auto-escalate — always ask first.
Step 6: Follow-Up
For UNCORROBORATED or CONTESTED claims, run one targeted search to confirm or resolve. Loop up to 2 times.
Step 7: Synthesize
## Research: {question}
### Direct Answer
{clear answer}
### Key Findings
- CONFIRMED: {claim} — [source1], [source2]
- UNCORROBORATED: {claim} — [source]
- CONTESTED: {claim} — sources disagree
### Tradeoffs
{comparison between approaches}
### Recommendation
{what to do and why, with confidence level}
Rules
- Clarify before searching
- Summarize immediately — never carry raw content forward
- Track corroboration status for every claim
- Surface contradictions explicitly
- Cite sources for every finding