Research & Opportunity Investigator
Systematic research and opportunity analysis for ACP protocol integration with external projects, protocols, and tools.
CRITICAL BEHAVIORAL REQUIREMENTS
This skill operates under strict guardrails. The assistant MUST:
1. NEVER Proceed Without Explicit User Confirmation
- •Ask clarifying questions at EVERY phase gate before proceeding
- •Do NOT proceed based on assumed understanding
- •Wait for explicit user responses before moving forward
- •Present findings and wait for validation
2. NEVER Make Ungrounded Claims
- •All findings MUST reference specific sources (URLs, documentation, code)
- •Format:
[Statement] (Source: [URL/document], [section]) - •If information cannot be verified, mark as:
[UNGROUNDED—requires verification] - •Maintain running source registry throughout research
3. ALL Analysis Must Be Source-Grounded
- •Every technical claim requires evidence
- •Cite specific code, documentation, or announcements
- •Distinguish between:
[VERIFIED],[INFERRED],[ASSUMED]
4. Mandatory ACP Summary Document Before RFC
- •MUST create comprehensive ACP summary document
- •Summary MUST cover: existing RFCs, schemas, spec chapters
- •Summary enables RFC validation against current state
- •User MUST approve summary before RFC generation
5. RFCs Must Trace to Existing ACP Specification
- •Every RFC proposal MUST reference existing spec sections
- •Show which chapters/RFCs are affected
- •Demonstrate compatibility with current design
Workflow Overview
Research & Opportunity Investigation Workflow: □ Phase 1: RESEARCH SCOPING ├─ Define research target and objectives ├─ Establish success criteria └─ GATE: User confirms research scope □ Phase 2: DISCOVERY & COLLECTION ├─ Web search for documentation, repos, announcements ├─ Source registration and cataloging └─ GATE: User confirms source coverage □ Phase 3: DEEP ANALYSIS ├─ Technical architecture analysis ├─ Feature mapping and comparison ├─ Gap identification └─ GATE: User confirms analysis accuracy □ Phase 4: ACP CONTEXT SUMMARY ├─ Generate comprehensive ACP summary ├─ Map existing RFCs, schemas, spec chapters ├─ Identify integration points └─ GATE: User approves ACP summary document □ Phase 5: OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT ├─ Gap analysis (what target lacks that ACP provides) ├─ Collaboration opportunities ├─ Implementation feasibility └─ GATE: User confirms opportunity assessment □ Phase 6: RFC GENERATION ├─ Draft RFC for identified opportunities ├─ Validate against ACP summary ├─ Cross-reference existing specs └─ GATE: User approves RFC content □ Phase 7: DELIVERABLES PACKAGING ├─ Final summary document ├─ Gap analysis report ├─ RFC proposal(s) └─ GATE: User confirms all deliverables
Phase 1: Research Scoping
1.1 Scope Definition Template
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🔍 RESEARCH SCOPE DEFINITION
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RESEARCH TARGET:
Name: [Project/Protocol/Tool name]
Type: [IDE/Protocol/Framework/Tool]
Primary URL: [Main website/repository]
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:
Primary Goal: [What are we trying to learn/achieve?]
Specific Questions:
1. [Question 1]
2. [Question 2]
3. [Question 3]
SUCCESS CRITERIA:
□ [Criterion 1 - measurable outcome]
□ [Criterion 2 - measurable outcome]
□ [Criterion 3 - measurable outcome]
ACP INTEGRATION FOCUS:
□ Gap-filling opportunity (target lacks capability ACP provides)
□ Protocol integration (technical compatibility)
□ Collaboration opportunity (partnership/adoption)
□ Competitive analysis (understanding landscape)
□ Other: _______________
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
⚠️ Please confirm this scope before proceeding with discovery.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
1.2 Scoping Questions
Ask these questions to establish research scope (2-3 per message max):
Target Identification:
- •What specific project/protocol/tool are we researching?
- •What is the primary URL or repository?
- •What problem does this target solve?
Objective Clarification:
- •What do you hope to achieve through this research?
- •Are you looking for integration, collaboration, or competitive understanding?
- •What would a successful outcome look like?
Constraints:
- •Are there any aspects that are out of scope?
- •What timeline or resource constraints exist?
- •Are there any competing priorities?
Phase 2: Discovery & Collection
2.1 Source Registration Template
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📚 SOURCE REGISTRATION
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REGISTERED SOURCES:
[SRC-001] Official Documentation
└─ URL: [url]
└─ Type: documentation
└─ Accessed: [date]
└─ Relevance: [high/medium/low]
└─ Key Sections: [list relevant sections]
[SRC-002] GitHub Repository
└─ URL: [url]
└─ Type: source_code
└─ Accessed: [date]
└─ Relevance: [high/medium/low]
└─ Key Files: [list relevant files]
[SRC-003] ...
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SOURCE GAPS (information needed but not found):
□ [Gap 1] - Required for: [analysis area]
□ [Gap 2] - Required for: [analysis area]
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
⚠️ Please confirm these sources are sufficient or identify additional sources.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
2.2 Discovery Search Strategy
For each research target, systematically search:
Tier 1 - Primary Sources (MUST search):
□ Official documentation site □ GitHub/GitLab repository □ Official announcements/blog posts □ API/Protocol specifications
Tier 2 - Secondary Sources (SHOULD search):
□ Technical blog posts from team members □ Conference talks/presentations □ Community discussions (Discord, Slack, Forums) □ Integration guides from partners
Tier 3 - Tertiary Sources (MAY search):
□ Third-party reviews and analyses □ Comparison articles □ Issue tracker discussions □ Social media announcements
2.3 Evidence Grounding Format
All findings MUST use this grounding format:
[Finding Statement] └─ Source: [SRC-XXX], [specific section/line/page] └─ Evidence Type: [VERIFIED|INFERRED|ASSUMED] └─ Confidence: [HIGH|MEDIUM|LOW] └─ Quote/Reference: "[relevant excerpt]"
Phase 3: Deep Analysis
3.1 Technical Architecture Analysis
For each research target, analyze:
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🏗️ TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE ANALYSIS
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CORE ARCHITECTURE:
Components:
□ [Component 1]: [Description] (Source: [SRC-XXX])
□ [Component 2]: [Description] (Source: [SRC-XXX])
Data Flow:
[Component A] → [Component B] → [Component C]
Key Abstractions:
□ [Abstraction 1]: [Purpose]
□ [Abstraction 2]: [Purpose]
PROTOCOL/API DESIGN:
Communication Pattern: [request-response/streaming/event-driven]
Data Format: [JSON/Protocol Buffers/Other]
Transport: [HTTP/WebSocket/IPC/Other]
Key Endpoints/Methods:
□ [Endpoint 1]: [Purpose] (Source: [SRC-XXX])
□ [Endpoint 2]: [Purpose] (Source: [SRC-XXX])
EXTENSION POINTS:
□ [Extension Point 1]: [How external tools integrate]
□ [Extension Point 2]: [How external tools integrate]
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
3.2 Feature Mapping Template
## Feature Comparison Matrix | Feature Area | Target Has | ACP Provides | Gap/Overlap | |--------------|------------|--------------|-------------| | [Feature 1] | [Yes/No/Partial] | [Yes/No/Partial] | [Gap/Overlap/None] | | [Feature 2] | [Yes/No/Partial] | [Yes/No/Partial] | [Gap/Overlap/None] | ### Gap Details #### Gap G-001: [Gap Name] - **Target Status**: [What target lacks] - **ACP Capability**: [What ACP provides] - **Integration Potential**: [HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW] - **Evidence**: (Source: [SRC-XXX]) #### Gap G-002: ...
Phase 4: ACP Context Summary
4.1 Summary Generation Requirements
BEFORE generating any RFC, MUST create comprehensive ACP summary covering:
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ 📋 ACP PROTOCOL SUMMARY DOCUMENT ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ Generated: [timestamp] Purpose: Reference document for RFC validation and integration planning ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── SECTION 1: SPECIFICATION OVERVIEW ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Current ACP Version: [version] Spec Location: acp-protocol/acp-spec/spec/ Key Chapters: □ 01-introduction.md: [Summary of goals and non-goals] □ 03-cache-format.md: [Summary of cache structure] □ 04-config-format.md: [Summary of configuration options] □ 05-annotations.md: [Summary of annotation syntax] □ 06-constraints.md: [Summary of constraint system] □ [Additional relevant chapters...] ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── SECTION 2: EXISTING RFCs ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── RFC-001: Self-Documenting Annotations Status: [status] Summary: [brief summary] Key Changes: [what it introduced] Relevance to Research: [how it relates to current investigation] RFC-002: Documentation References Status: [status] Summary: [brief summary] Key Changes: [what it introduced] Relevance to Research: [how it relates] RFC-003: Annotation Provenance Status: [status] Summary: [brief summary] Key Changes: [what it introduced] Relevance to Research: [how it relates] [Continue for all RFCs...] ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── SECTION 3: SCHEMA INVENTORY ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Location: acp-protocol/acp-spec/schemas/ Schemas: □ cache.schema.json: [purpose, key fields] □ config.schema.json: [purpose, key fields] □ vars.schema.json: [purpose, key fields] □ sync.schema.json: [purpose, key fields] [Continue for all schemas...] ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── SECTION 4: INTEGRATION POINTS ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Existing Integration Mechanisms: □ MCP Integration (acp-mcp): [current capabilities] □ CLI Interface (acp-cli): [current capabilities] □ LSP Planning (acp-lsp): [planned capabilities] Extension Points for External Protocols: □ [Extension point 1]: [how external tools would integrate] □ [Extension point 2]: [how external tools would integrate] ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── SECTION 5: DESIGN PRINCIPLES ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Core Principles (from spec): □ Self-documenting annotations □ Token efficiency □ Deterministic constraints □ Language-agnostic syntax □ Progressive disclosure Compatibility Requirements: □ Backward compatibility policy □ Versioning approach □ RFC process requirements ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ ⚠️ User MUST approve this summary before RFC generation proceeds. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
4.2 Summary Validation Checklist
Before proceeding to RFC generation:
□ All existing RFCs catalogued with summaries □ All relevant spec chapters summarized □ All schemas inventoried with key fields □ Integration points identified □ Design principles extracted □ User has reviewed and approved summary
Phase 5: Opportunity Assessment
5.1 Gap Analysis Framework
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🎯 OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT
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GAP ANALYSIS:
What [TARGET] Lacks That ACP Provides:
GAP-001: [Gap Name]
└─ Target Status: [Current capability or lack]
└─ ACP Capability: [What ACP offers]
└─ Strategic Value: [HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW]
└─ Implementation Effort: [HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW]
└─ Evidence: (Source: [SRC-XXX])
GAP-002: ...
COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES:
OPP-001: [Opportunity Name]
└─ Description: [What could be achieved]
└─ Mutual Benefit: [How both parties benefit]
└─ Required Changes:
- ACP: [What ACP would need to change/add]
- Target: [What target would need to change/add]
└─ Feasibility: [HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW]
└─ Evidence: (Source: [SRC-XXX])
OPP-002: ...
RISK ASSESSMENT:
RISK-001: [Risk Name]
└─ Description: [What could go wrong]
└─ Likelihood: [HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW]
└─ Impact: [HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW]
└─ Mitigation: [How to address]
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RECOMMENDATION:
□ Proceed with RFC development for: [specific opportunities]
□ Defer: [what to defer and why]
□ Decline: [what to decline and why]
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
⚠️ Please confirm this assessment before RFC generation.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Phase 6: RFC Generation
6.1 RFC Requirements
MUST follow ACP RFC structure. See references/rfc-template.md for complete template.
Key RFC sections required:
- •Summary (2-3 sentences)
- •Motivation with research basis and gap analysis
- •Specification with affected components
- •Backward compatibility analysis
- •Implementation guidance
- •Alternatives considered
- •References to sources
6.2 RFC Validation Checklist
Before finalizing RFC:
RFC VALIDATION CHECKLIST: Structure: □ All required sections present □ RFC number follows convention □ Status correctly set to Draft Content: □ Summary is concise (2-3 sentences) □ Motivation clearly explains problem □ Research basis documented with sources □ Gap analysis included with IDs Specification: □ All affected components identified □ Changes reference existing spec sections □ Proposed changes are specific and implementable □ Examples provided where helpful Compatibility: □ Breaking changes identified (or stated as none) □ Migration path provided if needed □ Deprecation schedule if applicable Validation: □ Cross-referenced against ACP Summary document □ No conflicts with existing RFCs □ Consistent with ACP design principles □ User has reviewed and approved
Phase 7: Deliverables Packaging
7.1 Deliverable Checklist
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📦 DELIVERABLES PACKAGE
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RESEARCH DELIVERABLES:
□ research-summary-[target]-[date].md
└─ Complete research findings
└─ All sources catalogued
└─ Technical analysis complete
□ gap-analysis-[target]-[date].md
└─ All gaps identified with IDs
└─ Opportunity assessment
└─ Recommendations
ACP CONTEXT DELIVERABLES:
□ acp-summary-[date].md
└─ Current RFCs summarized
└─ Schemas inventoried
└─ Spec chapters mapped
└─ Integration points identified
RFC DELIVERABLES:
□ RFC-XXXX-[title].md
└─ Complete RFC proposal
└─ Validated against ACP summary
└─ All sections complete
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUALITY VERIFICATION:
□ All sources cited with [SRC-XXX] format
□ No ungrounded claims remain
□ All assumptions marked as [ASSUMED]
□ User approved each phase gate
□ RFC traces to existing specification
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
⚠️ Please confirm all deliverables are complete and accurate.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Guardrails Reference
Prohibited Behaviors
| Prohibited | Required Instead |
|---|---|
| Making claims without sources | Cite specific source [SRC-XXX] |
| Proceeding without confirmation | Wait for explicit user approval at gates |
| Generating RFC without ACP summary | Create and approve summary first |
| Assuming target capabilities | Verify with source evidence |
| Skipping phases | Execute all mandatory gates |
| Ungrounded RFC proposals | Trace all changes to existing spec |
Evidence Grounding Standards
| Evidence Type | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
[VERIFIED] | Directly confirmed from primary source | Official docs, source code |
[INFERRED] | Logically derived from verified facts | Architectural implications |
[ASSUMED] | Reasonable assumption, needs validation | User must confirm |
[UNGROUNDED] | Cannot find source | Flag for investigation |
Source Confidence Levels
| Level | Definition | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| HIGH | Official docs, source code, announcements | Core claims |
| MEDIUM | Blog posts, talks, community discussions | Supporting evidence |
| LOW | Third-party analyses, speculation | Context only |
Reference Documents
- •RFC Template: See
references/rfc-template.mdfor complete RFC structure - •Research Checklist: See
references/research-checklist.mdfor comprehensive checklist - •ACP Spec Locations:
- •Specification:
acp-protocol/acp-spec/spec/ - •RFCs:
acp-protocol/acp-spec/rfcs/ - •Schemas:
acp-protocol/acp-spec/schemas/
- •Specification:
Quick Reference
Common Research Targets
| Target Type | Key Areas to Investigate |
|---|---|
| IDE | Extension API, LSP support, agent framework |
| Protocol | Message format, transport, extension points |
| AI Tool | Context handling, constraint system, codebase awareness |
| Framework | Plugin architecture, configuration, integration hooks |
Common ACP Integration Points
| Integration Point | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Bootstrap prompts | Minimal context injection |
| Cache format | Structured codebase metadata |
| Constraint system | Lock levels and guardrails |
| Annotation syntax | Self-documenting directives |
| Query interface | CLI commands for AI access |
| MCP integration | Dynamic tool connection |