Research Command

Conduct thorough web research on a topic and generate a comprehensive report using the appropriate template.

Process

Step 1: Clarify Research Scope AND Select Template

Before starting research, you MUST:

1. Clarify scope (if topic is broad):

   • "What specific aspect of [topic] interests you most?"
   • "Should I focus on recent developments, historical context, or both?"

2. Select report template - Use AskUserQuestion to ask:

   • Question: "What type of report do you need?"
   • Options:
     • Full technical guide - For library/tool selection, implementation guidance with code examples
     • Comparative analysis - For evaluating options, pros/cons, decision matrices
     • Standard academic - For comprehensive topic analysis, knowledge base articles
     • Executive summary - For quick business decisions, stakeholder briefings
     • Quick report - For rapid answers, preliminary research
     • Literature review - For academic surveys, state-of-the-art analysis

3. Map selection to template file:

   User Selection	Template File
   Full technical guide	technical-implementation.md
   Comparative analysis	comparative-analysis.md
   Standard academic	academic.md
   Executive summary	executive-summary.md
   Quick report	quick-report.md
   Literature review	literature-review.md

Step 2: Read the Template (MANDATORY)

CRITICAL: You MUST read the selected template before conducting research.

1. Use the Read tool to read the template from: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/research-methodology/references/templates/[selected-template].md

2. Note the required sections, YAML frontmatter structure, and formatting patterns.

3. The template structure will guide what information you need to gather during research.

Step 3: Conduct Web Research

Search thoroughly using WebSearch, targeting 10+ diverse sources:

1. Initial broad searches to map the landscape
2. Specific targeted searches for depth on key aspects
3. Search for opposing viewpoints to ensure balanced coverage

For each promising result, use WebFetch to gather detailed content.

For Technical Implementation reports, specifically search for:

• Official documentation
• GitHub repositories (stars, recent activity)
• Comparison articles
• Known issues or limitations
• Alternative libraries/tools

Step 4: Evaluate Sources

Apply credibility criteria to each source:

• Authority: Who published this? What are their credentials?
• Currency: When was this published? Is it current enough?
• Accuracy: Can claims be verified elsewhere?
• Purpose: Is this informational or promotional?

Prioritize:

• Official documentation and primary sources
• Academic or research publications
• Established news organizations
• Expert analysis from credentialed professionals

Step 5: Synthesize Findings

Organize information thematically:

• Identify 3-5 major themes across sources
• Note where sources agree (consensus)
• Note where sources disagree (debates)
• Extract key statistics, quotes, and insights

Step 6: Generate Report Using Template (MANDATORY)

You MUST follow the template structure exactly.

1. Create the ./reports/ directory if it doesn't exist

2. Write the report following the template you read in Step 2:

   • Include ALL sections from the template
   • Use the YAML frontmatter format if the template specifies one
   • Follow the exact heading structure
   • Include all required subsections (e.g., "Anti-Patterns & Pitfalls" for technical reports)

3. Use numbered references [1], [2], etc. and include full reference list at the end

4. Save as ./reports/YYYY-MM-DD-topic-slug.md

Step 7: Verify Template Compliance

Before finishing, verify your report includes:

For Technical Implementation:

• YAML frontmatter with use_when, avoid_when, project_context
• Summary with metrics (GitHub stars, downloads, etc.)
• Philosophy & Mental Model section
• Setup section with code examples
• 3-5 Core Usage Patterns with code
• Anti-Patterns & Pitfalls with bad/good examples
• Decision Criteria table with weights
• Alternatives Considered with "choose this instead when"
• Caveats & Limitations
• Numbered References with descriptions

For Comparative Analysis:

• Comparison matrix/table
• Per-option analysis
• Recommendation with rationale

For all reports:

• 10+ sources consulted
• All claims properly cited
• Complete reference list with URLs

File Naming

Use date prefix with kebab-case topic:

• "AI trends" → 2024-03-15-ai-trends.md
• "atproto bookmark app" → 2024-03-15-atproto-bookmark-app.md

Tips

• Read the template first - It tells you what to research
• Be thorough: Don't stop at 3-4 sources. Dig deeper.
• Verify claims: Cross-reference important findings across sources
• Note limitations: Be transparent about what couldn't be determined
• Include quotes: Direct quotes with attribution add credibility
• Stay balanced: Present multiple perspectives on contested topics