web-research

name	web-research
description	Structured approach to conducting thorough web research with citations and organized output.
version	1.0.0
tags	["research","web","search","citations"]
triggers	["research","find information about","what is the latest on","compare","look up","search for"]
entrypoints	{"report":{"script":"scripts/generate-report.py","description":"Generate a formatted markdown report from research findings."}}
required_permissions	[]
license	MIT
compatibility	AG3NT 1.x
metadata	{"author":"ag3nt-team","category":"research"}

Web Research Skill

Use this skill when the user needs:

• Current information on any topic
• Comparison between products, services, or concepts
• Documentation or official sources
• News or recent developments
• Cited summaries with sources

Research Workflow

Step 1: Plan Your Research

Before searching, define:

1. Main question: What specifically does the user want to know?
2. Subtopics: Break complex topics into 2-3 focused areas
3. Source types: What kinds of sources are most relevant?
   • Documentation (official docs, specs)
   • News (recent articles, announcements)
   • Academic (papers, research)
   • Community (forums, discussions, reviews)

Step 2: Search and Gather

For each subtopic:

1. Run 2-3 targeted searches using the web_search tool
2. Evaluate sources for credibility:
   • Official domains (.gov, .edu, company sites)
   • Publication date (prefer recent for evolving topics)
   • Author expertise
3. Extract key information and note the source URL

Step 3: Organize Findings

Create a structured output:

## Research: [Topic Name]

### Key Findings
- Finding 1 [Source](url)
- Finding 2 [Source](url)

### Detailed Summary
[Synthesis of information with inline citations]

### Sources
1. [Title](url) - Brief description of what this source provided
2. [Title](url) - Brief description of what this source provided

Step 4: Synthesize and Respond

When presenting to the user:

1. Lead with the answer - Don't bury the key information
2. Provide context - Why is this relevant?
3. Cite sources - Use inline links or footnotes
4. Note limitations - If information is incomplete or conflicting, say so

Citation Format

Use this format for citations:

• Inline: According to [Source Name](url), ...
• Footnote: Key fact here[^1] with [^1]: Source Name - url
• List: See references/citation-format.md for detailed examples

Quality Checklist

Before finishing research:

• Answered the user's core question
• Used at least 2-3 distinct sources
• Cited all factual claims
• Noted if information is dated or incomplete
• Provided actionable next steps if relevant

Available Tools

When conducting research, you have access to:

• web_search: Search the web for information
• read_file: Read local reference files (e.g., this skill's references/)
• write_file: Save research notes or reports locally

Tips for Better Research

1. Be specific in queries - "Python asyncio error handling 2024" vs "Python errors"
2. Verify across sources - Don't rely on a single source for important facts
3. Check dates - Technology and news change quickly
4. Use quotes for exact phrases - "error message here" finds exact matches
5. Exclude noise - Add -pinterest -reddit if results are cluttered