Research Skill

CRITICAL: Use the Research CLI for Multi-Source Research

For ANY research request, use the research CLI via Bash:

All sources in parallel (RECOMMENDED - fastest)

~/.claude/bin/research --all "your research query"

Individual sources

~/.claude/bin/research --perplexity "query" # Fast web search ~/.claude/bin/research --gemini "query" # Multi-perspective ~/.claude/bin/research --claude "query" # Detailed analysis (slower)

DO NOT use WebSearch directly for research requests - use the CLI above.

Three Research Modes

QUICK RESEARCH MODE

• Trigger: User says "quick research" or simple queries

• Method: Single research --all "query" call

• Time: ~15-30 seconds

• Result: 3 source results (Perplexity, Claude, Gemini)

STANDARD RESEARCH MODE (Default)

• Trigger: Default for most research requests

• Method: 3 parallel Bash calls with different query angles

• Time: ~30-45 seconds

• Result: 9 source results (3 angles × 3 sources)

EXTENSIVE RESEARCH MODE

• Trigger: User says "extensive research" or "deep dive"

• Method: 8 parallel Bash calls covering diverse angles

• Time: ~45-90 seconds

• Result: 24 source results (8 angles × 3 sources)

Standard Research Workflow

Step 1: Decompose the Question

Break the user's question into 3 focused sub-questions:

• Core facts and recent developments

• Context, implications, and analysis

• Contrarian views, controversies, or edge cases

Step 2: Launch Parallel Research (ONE MESSAGE)

CRITICAL: Use a SINGLE message with multiple Bash tool calls for parallel execution

Launch all 3 in parallel (single message with 3 Bash calls)

~/.claude/bin/research --all "sub-question 1 focusing on core facts" ~/.claude/bin/research --all "sub-question 2 focusing on implications" ~/.claude/bin/research --all "sub-question 3 focusing on controversies"

Step 3: Parse JSON Results

Each call returns JSON:

{ "source": "perplexity|claude|gemini", "query": "the query", "timestamp": "ISO timestamp", "success": true, "content": "research findings...", "citations": ["url1", "url2"], "duration_ms": 1234 }

For --all , returns array of 3 results.

Step 4: Synthesize Findings

Confidence Levels:

• HIGH CONFIDENCE: Corroborated by 2+ sources

• MEDIUM CONFIDENCE: Found by one source, seems reliable

• LOW CONFIDENCE: Single source, needs verification

Structure:

Key Findings

[Topic Area 1]

High Confidence:

• Finding X (Sources: perplexity, claude)

Medium Confidence:

• Finding Z (Source: gemini only)

Source Attribution

• Perplexity: [web/current events]
• Claude: [detailed analysis]
• Gemini: [multi-perspective synthesis]

Conflicting Information

• [Note any disagreements]

Extensive Research Workflow

Step 1: Generate 8 Diverse Angles

• Core facts and current state

• Historical context and evolution

• Technical deep-dive

• Practical implications and applications

• Contrarian views and criticisms

• Future predictions and trends

• Cross-domain connections

• Edge cases and unusual perspectives

Step 2: Launch 8 Parallel Queries

All 8 in parallel (single message)

~/.claude/bin/research --all "angle 1: core facts about [topic]" ~/.claude/bin/research --all "angle 2: historical context of [topic]" ~/.claude/bin/research --all "angle 3: technical deep-dive on [topic]" ~/.claude/bin/research --all "angle 4: practical implications of [topic]" ~/.claude/bin/research --all "angle 5: criticisms around [topic]" ~/.claude/bin/research --all "angle 6: future predictions for [topic]" ~/.claude/bin/research --all "angle 7: cross-domain connections to [topic]" ~/.claude/bin/research --all "angle 8: edge cases of [topic]"

API Keys Required

Located in ~/.claude/.env :

Feature API Key Required

Perplexity PERPLEXITY_API_KEY

For --perplexity

Gemini GOOGLE_API_KEY

For --gemini

Claude None Built-in WebSearch

Critical Rules

Parallel Execution

• ✅ Launch ALL research queries in ONE message (parallel Bash calls)

• ✅ Each query covers a different angle

• ❌ DON'T launch sequentially (kills speed benefit)

• ❌ DON'T wait between queries

Error Handling

• If a source fails, proceed with successful results

• Note failures in the final report

• Check success: false in JSON for errors

Research Metrics Template

Include at end of every research report:

📈 RESEARCH METRICS:

• Mode: [Quick/Standard/Extensive]
• Total Queries: [X] (angles × 3 sources)
• Sources: Perplexity, Claude, Gemini
• Confidence Level: [High/Medium/Low] ([%])

Example: Standard Research

User: "Research quantum computing developments"

Kai executes:

3 parallel Bash calls in ONE message

~/.claude/bin/research --all "quantum computing recent breakthroughs 2026" ~/.claude/bin/research --all "quantum computing practical applications timeline" ~/.claude/bin/research --all "quantum computing challenges limitations"

Result: 9 source queries (3 angles × 3 sources) in ~30-45 seconds.