Research Skill

🎯 Load Full PAI Context

Before starting any task with this skill, load complete PAI context:

read ${PAI_DIR}/.claude/skills/CORE/SKILL.md

This provides access to:

• Complete contact list and team members
• Stack preferences (TypeScript>Python, bun>npm, uv>pip)
• Security rules and repository safety protocols
• Response format requirements (structured emoji format)
• Voice IDs for agent routing (ElevenLabs)
• Personal preferences and operating instructions

When to Use This Skill

This skill activates when the user requests research or information gathering:

• "Do research on X"
• "Research this topic"
• "Find information about X"
• "Investigate this subject"
• "Analyze trends in X"
• "Current events research"
• Any comprehensive information gathering request

THREE RESEARCH MODES:

QUICK RESEARCH MODE:

• User says "quick research" → Launch 3 agents (1 of each type)
• Timeout: 2 minutes | Main Kai waits 2 minutes then synthesizes
• Best for: Simple queries, straightforward questions

STANDARD RESEARCH MODE (Default):

• Default for most research requests → Launch 9 agents (3 of each type)
• Timeout: 3 minutes | Main Kai waits 3 minutes then synthesizes
• Best for: Most research needs, comprehensive coverage

EXTENSIVE RESEARCH MODE:

• User says "extensive research" → Launch 24 agents (8 of each type)
• Use be-creative skill with UltraThink for maximum query diversity
• Generate 24 unique, creative research angles
• Timeout: 10 minutes | Main Kai waits 10 minutes then synthesizes
• Best for: Deep-dive research, multi-domain analysis, comprehensive reports

⏱️ CRITICAL TIMEOUT RULES:

• Quick (3 agents): 2 minute timeout
• Standard (9 agents): 3 minute timeout
• Extensive (24 agents): 10 minute timeout
• After timeout, main Kai STOPS WAITING and synthesizes with whatever results are available
• Proceed with partial results - don't wait indefinitely for stragglers

How to Execute

Execute the /conduct-research slash command, which handles the complete workflow:

1. Decomposing research questions into 3-24 sub-questions
2. Launching up to 24 parallel research agents (perplexity, claude, gemini)
3. Collecting results in 15-60 seconds (HARD TIMEOUT: 3 minutes max)
4. Synthesizing findings with confidence levels (even with partial results)
5. Formatting comprehensive report with source attribution

Available Research Agents

• perplexity-researcher: Fast Perplexity API searches (web/current)
• claude-researcher: Claude WebSearch with intelligent query decomposition (academic/detailed)
• gemini-researcher: Google Gemini multi-perspective research (synthesis)

Speed Benefits

• ❌ Old approach: Sequential searches → 5-10 minutes
• ✅ Quick mode: 3 parallel agents → 2 minute timeout
• ✅ Standard mode: 9 parallel agents → 3 minute timeout
• ✅ Extensive mode: 24 parallel agents → 10 minute timeout

⏱️ CRITICAL: After timeout, proceed with whatever results are available. DO NOT wait indefinitely for slow agents.

📁 Scratchpad → History Pattern

Working Directory (Scratchpad): ${PAI_DIR}/scratchpad/YYYY-MM-DD-HHMMSS_research-[topic]/

Process:

1. Scratchpad (Working Files - Temporary):

   • Create timestamped directory for each research project
   • Store raw research outputs from all agents
   • Keep intermediate synthesis notes
   • Save query decomposition and analysis
   • Draft reports and iterations

2. History (Permanent Archive):

   • Move to ${PAI_DIR}/history/research/YYYY-MM-DD_[topic]/ when complete
   • Include: README.md, final research report, key data files
   • Archive for future reference and reuse

3. Verification (MANDATORY):

   • Check if hooks captured output to history automatically
   • If hooks failed, manually save to history
   • Confirm all files present in history directory

File Structure Example:

Scratchpad (temporary workspace):

${PAI_DIR}/scratchpad/2025-10-26-143022_research-agi-frameworks/
├── raw-outputs/
│   ├── perplexity-001.md
│   ├── claude-001.md
│   └── gemini-001.md
├── synthesis-notes.md
├── query-decomposition.md
└── draft-report.md

History (permanent archive):

${PAI_DIR}/history/research/2025-10-26_agi-frameworks/
├── README.md (research documentation)
├── research-report.md (final comprehensive report)
├── key-findings.md (executive summary)
└── metadata.json (sources, agents used, timestamps)

README.md Template:

# Research: [Topic]

**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Research Mode:** Quick/Standard/Extensive
**Agents Used:** X perplexity, Y claude, Z gemini

## Research Question
[Original question or topic]

## Key Findings
- Finding 1
- Finding 2
- Finding 3

## Methodology
- Query decomposition: [How questions were split]
- Agents deployed: [Which agents, how many]
- Sources consulted: [Number and types]

## Output Files
- research-report.md: Full comprehensive report
- key-findings.md: Executive summary
- metadata.json: Source tracking

## Notes
[Any limitations, gaps, or follow-up needed]

Full Workflow Reference

For complete step-by-step instructions: read ${PAI_DIR}/.claude/commands/conduct-research.md