Deep Research Skill

AI-powered comprehensive research with state management, source verification, and structured outputs.

Trigger Conditions

code

# Primary triggers
- "/deep-research [topic]"
- "/research [topic]"
- "딥리서치 [주제]"
- "심층 연구 [주제]"
- "[주제]에 대해 리서치해줘"
- "[주제] 리서치"
- "deep research on [topic]"

# Resume triggers
- "/research-resume [session_id]"
- "/research-status"

WHEN TRIGGERED - EXECUTE IMMEDIATELY

DO NOT just display this documentation. EXECUTE the research flow immediately.

On Trigger Action:

•Extract the topic from user's message
•Start Phase 1 - Use AskUserQuestion tool for interactive selection:

⚠️ CRITICAL REQUIREMENT - READ THIS ⚠️

YOU MUST CALL THE AskUserQuestion TOOL IMMEDIATELY.

❌ DO NOT output text-based questions like:

code

1. Specific Focus: 어떤 측면에...
2. Output Format: 어떤 형태로...

✅ INSTEAD, call the AskUserQuestion tool with JSON parameters.

THIS IS MANDATORY. VIOLATION OF THIS RULE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Language Detection

•Detect the language of user's input (topic query)
•Generate ALL question labels and descriptions in the SAME LANGUAGE as user input
•If Korean → Korean options, If English → English options, etc.

Use AskUserQuestion with these questions (combine into 1-4 question groups). Translate all labels/descriptions to match user's language:

English Example:

json

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "question": "What aspects interest you most?",
      "header": "Focus",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Current state & trends", "description": "Latest developments, market status, key players"},
        {"label": "Technical deep-dive", "description": "Architecture, implementation, tech stack"},
        {"label": "Market analysis", "description": "Market size, growth rate, competition"},
        {"label": "All of the above (Recommended)", "description": "Comprehensive research - all aspects"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    },
    {
      "question": "What type of deliverable do you want?",
      "header": "Output",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Comprehensive report (Recommended)", "description": "20-50+ pages, detailed analysis and insights"},
        {"label": "Executive summary", "description": "3-5 pages, key points only"},
        {"label": "Modular documents", "description": "Multiple documents by topic"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    },
    {
      "question": "Who will read this research?",
      "header": "Audience",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Technical team/Developers", "description": "Include technical details"},
        {"label": "Business executives", "description": "Focus on strategic insights"},
        {"label": "Researchers/Academic", "description": "Academic citations and methodology"},
        {"label": "General audience", "description": "Easy explanations and overview"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    },
    {
      "question": "Any source preferences?",
      "header": "Sources",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Academic/Papers", "description": "Peer-reviewed papers, conferences"},
        {"label": "Industry reports", "description": "Gartner, white papers, analyst reports"},
        {"label": "News/Current", "description": "Media, blogs, latest announcements"},
        {"label": "All sources (Recommended)", "description": "All reliable sources"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

Korean Example:

json

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "question": "어떤 측면에 관심이 있으신가요?",
      "header": "Focus",
      "options": [
        {"label": "현재 상태와 트렌드", "description": "최신 동향, 시장 현황, 주요 플레이어"},
        {"label": "기술 심층 분석", "description": "아키텍처, 구현 방법, 기술 스택"},
        {"label": "시장 분석", "description": "시장 규모, 성장률, 경쟁 구도"},
        {"label": "모두 포함 (Recommended)", "description": "종합 리서치 - 모든 측면 분석"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

•
After user responds:
- •Create session folder: RESEARCH/{topic}_{timestamp}/
- •Initialize state.json
- •Execute Phase 2-7 sequentially
- •Use parallel background agents for searching
- •Deliver final report to outputs/ folder

The 7-Phase Deep Research Process

Phase 1: Question Scoping

•Clarify the research question with the user
•Define output format and success criteria
•Identify constraints and desired tone
•Create unambiguous query with clear parameters

Phase 2: Retrieval Planning

•Break main question into 3-5 subtopics
•Generate specific search queries per subtopic
•Select appropriate data sources
•Create research plan for user approval
•Use Graph of Thoughts to model research as operations

⚠️ DATE-AWARE QUERY GENERATION (CRITICAL)

All search queries MUST include current date context for freshness.

Get Today's Date First

Before generating ANY search query, determine today's date:

•Use system date or ask: "What is today's date?"
•Format: YYYY or YYYY-MM

Query Generation Rules

•
Always append year to queries:
- •❌ "AI code assistants market"
- •✅ "AI code assistants market 2026"
- •✅ "AI code assistants trends January 2026"
•
Use recency operators:
- •"after:2025" for Google
- •"since:2025" for news
- •"2025..2026" for date ranges
•
Add freshness keywords:
- •"latest", "recent", "current", "new"
- •"2026 update", "January 2026"
•
Example transformations:

User Query Generated Search Query
AI 코딩 어시스턴트 AI 코딩 어시스턴트 2026 최신 동향
startup trends startup trends 2026 latest
React vs Vue React vs Vue 2026 comparison
•
For academic/historical research:
- •Still include current year for "state of" queries
- •Use date ranges: "climate change research 2020-2026"

Search Query Template

code

[topic] [current_year] [freshness_keyword] [specific_aspect]

Examples:
- "LLM agents 2026 latest developments"
- "AI healthcare 2026 market size"
- "테슬라 2026년 1월 최신 뉴스"

Phase 3: Iterative Querying

•Execute searches systematically with parallel agents
•Navigate and extract relevant information
•Formulate new queries based on findings
•Use multiple search modalities (web, academic, code)

Phase 4: Source Triangulation

•Compare findings across multiple sources
•Validate claims with cross-references (minimum 2 sources for key claims)
•Handle inconsistencies and note contradictions
•Assess source credibility with A-E ratings

Phase 5: Knowledge Synthesis

•Structure content logically
•Write comprehensive sections
•Include inline citations for EVERY claim
•Add data visualizations when relevant

Phase 6: Quality Assurance

•Check for hallucinations and errors
•Verify all citations match content
•Ensure completeness and clarity
•Apply Chain-of-Verification techniques

Phase 7: Output & Packaging

•Format for optimal readability
•Include executive summary
•Create proper bibliography
•Export in requested format

Multi-Agent Research Strategy

Agent Deployment (Phase 3)

Deploy 3-5 parallel agents to maximize coverage:

Agent Type 1: Web Research Agents (2-3 agents)

code

Focus: Current information, trends, news
Objective: Gather recent developments and real-world data
Output: Structured summaries with source URLs

Agent Type 2: Academic/Technical Agent (1-2 agents)

code

Focus: Research papers, technical specifications
Objective: Find theoretical foundations and methodologies
Output: Technical analysis with proper citations

Agent Type 3: Cross-Reference Agent (1 agent)

code

Focus: Fact-checking and verification
Objective: Validate claims across sources
Output: Confidence ratings for key findings

Agent Prompt Templates

General Research Agent:

code

Research [specific aspect] of [main topic].

Tools to use:
1. mcp_google_search for web search
2. mcp_websearch_web_search_exa for deep search
3. mcp_webfetch to extract content from URLs

Focus on finding:
- Recent information (prioritize last 2 years)
- Authoritative sources
- Specific data/statistics
- Multiple perspectives

For EVERY factual claim, provide:
- Direct quote or data point
- Source URL
- Author/organization
- Publication date
- Confidence rating (High/Medium/Low)

Return structured findings with all source URLs.

Technical Research Agent:

code

Find technical/academic information about [topic].

Tools to use:
1. mcp_google_search for academic papers
2. mcp_context7_query_docs for library docs
3. mcp_grep_app_searchGitHub for code examples

Look for:
- Peer-reviewed papers
- Technical specifications
- Methodologies and frameworks
- Scientific evidence

Include proper academic citations with DOI/URLs.

Verification Agent:

code

Verify the following claims about [topic]:
[List key claims to verify]

Use multiple search queries to find:
- Supporting evidence
- Contradicting information
- Original sources

Rate confidence: High/Medium/Low for each claim.
Explain any contradictions found.
Never confirm without sources.

Agent Deployment Pattern

python

# Deploy parallel agents for subtopics
background_task(agent="explore", prompt="Research current state of [subtopic1]...")
background_task(agent="explore", prompt="Research challenges in [subtopic2]...")
background_task(agent="librarian", prompt="Find official documentation for [subtopic3]...")
background_task(agent="librarian", prompt="Find academic papers on [subtopic4]...")
background_task(agent="explore", prompt="Verify key claims: [list claims]...")

# Continue immediately, collect results later with:
# background_output(task_id="...")

# Cancel all before completion:
# background_cancel(all=True)

Graph of Thoughts Integration

The research process uses Graph of Thoughts (GoT) for complex reasoning:

•Modeling Research as Graph Operations: Each research step becomes a node
•Parallel Processing: Multiple research paths explored simultaneously
•Scoring & Optimization: Information quality scored and optimized
•Backtracking: Poor research paths abandoned for better alternatives

GoT Operations:

•Generate: Create search queries and hypotheses
•Score: Evaluate information quality and relevance
•GroundTruth: Verify facts against authoritative sources
•Aggregate: Combine findings from multiple sources
•Improve: Refine research questions based on findings

Tool Usage

Primary Search Tools

python

# Google Search with AI analysis
mcp_google_search(query="...", thinking=True)

# Exa deep search (comprehensive)
mcp_websearch_web_search_exa(query="...", type="deep", numResults=10)

# Content extraction from URL
mcp_webfetch(url="...", format="markdown")

Specialized Tools

python

# GitHub code examples
mcp_grep_app_searchGitHub(query="...", language=["Python", "TypeScript"])

# Library documentation
mcp_context7_resolve_library_id(libraryName="react", query="hooks")
mcp_context7_query_docs(libraryId="/facebook/react", query="useEffect")

Background Agents

python

# Fire parallel research agents
task_id = mcp_background_task(
    agent="explore",  # or "librarian"
    description="Research subtopic",
    prompt="Detailed research instructions..."
)

# Collect results when needed
result = mcp_background_output(task_id=task_id)

# Cancel all before final answer
mcp_background_cancel(all=True)

File Operations

python

mcp_write(filePath="RESEARCH/.../file.md", content="...")
mcp_read(filePath="RESEARCH/.../state.json")
mcp_glob(pattern="RESEARCH/**/*.md")

Citation Requirements

Mandatory Standards

Every factual claim must include:

•Author/Organization - Who made this claim
•Date - When published
•Source Title - Name of paper, article, or report
•URL/DOI - Direct link to verify
•Page Numbers - For lengthy documents (when applicable)

Citation Formats

Academic Papers:

code

(Author et al., Year, p. XX)
Full: Smith, J., Johnson, K., & Lee, M. (2023). "Title." Journal, 45(3), 140-156. https://doi.org/xxx

Web Sources:

code

(Organization, Year, Section)
Full: NIH. (2024). "Treatment Guidelines." https://www.nih.gov/page

Direct Quotes:

code

"Exact quote from source" (Author, Year, p. XX)

Source Quality Ratings

Grade	Description	Examples
A	Peer-reviewed, systematic reviews, meta-analyses	Nature, Lancet, IEEE
B	Official docs, clinical guidelines, cohort studies	FDA, W3C, WHO
C	Expert opinion, case reports, industry reports	Gartner, conferences
D	Preliminary research, preprints, white papers	arXiv, company blogs
E	Anecdotal, theoretical, speculative	Social media, forums

Red Flags (Unreliable Sources)

•No author attribution
•Missing publication dates
•Broken or suspicious URLs
•Claims without data
•Conflicts of interest not disclosed
•Predatory journals
•Retracted papers

Hallucination Prevention

Core Strategies

•
Always ground statements in source material
- •Never claim without a verifiable source
- •If uncertain, state "Source needed" rather than guessing
•
Use Chain-of-Verification for critical claims
- •Generate verification questions
- •Search for answers independently
- •Only finalize when verified
•
Cross-reference multiple sources
- •Key findings need 2+ independent sources
- •Note when sources disagree
•
Explicitly state uncertainty
- •"According to [source]..." not "Studies show..."
- •Qualify preliminary or contested findings

Verification Checklist

• Every claim has inline citation
• All URLs are accessible
• No orphan citations
• Contradictions acknowledged
• Source quality ratings applied

State Management

state.json Schema

json

{
  "session_id": "Topic_Name_20260129_143000",
  "topic": "Research Topic",
  "created_at": "2026-01-29T14:30:00Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-01-29T15:45:00Z",
  "status": "PHASE_3_QUERYING",
  "current_phase": 3,
  "requirements": {
    "focus": ["aspect1", "aspect2"],
    "output_format": "comprehensive_report",
    "scope": {"timeframe": {}, "geography": {}},
    "sources": {"required_types": [], "min_quality": "B"},
    "audience": "executive",
    "special_requirements": []
  },
  "plan": {
    "subtopics": [],
    "search_queries": {},
    "agent_assignments": []
  },
  "progress": {
    "phase_1": "completed",
    "phase_2": "completed",
    "phase_3": "in_progress",
    "phase_4": "pending",
    "phase_5": "pending",
    "phase_6": "pending",
    "phase_7": "pending"
  },
  "sources_count": 0,
  "artifacts": {},
  "errors": []
}

sources.jsonl Schema (one JSON per line)

json

{"id": "src_001", "url": "https://...", "title": "Article Title", "author": "Author", "date": "2024-06-15", "domain": "nature.com", "type": "academic", "quality_rating": "A", "snippet": "relevant excerpt...", "claims": ["claim1"], "verified": true}

Output Structure

code

RESEARCH/{topic}_{timestamp}/
├── state.json                    # Session state (resumable)
├── README.md                     # Navigation guide
│
├── artifacts/                    # Intermediate outputs
│   ├── research_plan.json
│   ├── agent_results/
│   └── drafts/
│
├── sources/
│   ├── sources.jsonl            # All collected sources
│   ├── bibliography.md          # Formatted citations
│   └── quality_report.md        # Source quality ratings
│
├── outputs/                     # FINAL DELIVERABLES
│   ├── 00_executive_summary.md
│   ├── 01_full_report/
│   │   ├── 01_introduction.md
│   │   ├── 02_current_landscape.md
│   │   ├── 03_challenges.md
│   │   ├── 04_future_outlook.md
│   │   └── 05_conclusions.md
│   ├── 02_appendices/
│   └── comparison_data.json
│
└── website/                     # (optional) Visual presentation
    ├── index.html
    ├── styles.css
    └── script.js

Resume Protocol

When /research-resume [session_id] is called:

•List available sessions: RESEARCH/*/state.json
•Load selected session's state.json
•Check progress object for last completed phase
•Resume from next pending phase
•Continue execution loop

python

for phase_num in range(1, 8):
    phase_key = f"phase_{phase_num}"
    if state["progress"][phase_key] == "in_progress":
        resume_phase(phase_num)
        break
    elif state["progress"][phase_key] == "pending":
        start_phase(phase_num)
        break

Error Handling

Phase Failures

•Log error to state.json errors array
•Mark phase as failed in progress
•Notify user with details
•Offer: Retry / Skip / Abort

Network Failures

•Retry up to 3 times with backoff
•Log failed URLs to sources/failed_urls.txt
•Continue with available sources

Token Limits

•Split long documents into chunks
•Save intermediate results frequently
•Use summarization for very long sources

Quality Checklist (Before Completion)

Example Interaction Flow

code

User: "/deep-research AI 코드 어시스턴트가 개발자 생산성에 미치는 영향"

Assistant: "AI 코드 어시스턴트의 생산성 영향에 대해 딥리서치를 진행하겠습니다.

1. **Specific Focus**: 어떤 측면에 관심이 있으신가요?
   - 생산성 측정 메트릭
   - 도구별 비교 (Copilot, Cursor, Codeium 등)
   - 도입 장벽과 과제
   - 모두 포함

2. **Output Format**: 어떤 형태로 드릴까요?
   - 종합 리포트 (20+ 페이지)
   - 요약본 (3-5 페이지)

3. **Scope**: 제약 조건이 있나요?
   - 시간: 2022년 이후?
   - 지역: 글로벌?

4. **Audience**: 누가 읽을 건가요?
   - 엔지니어링 리더십

아니면 '진행해'라고 하시면 기본 설정으로 시작합니다."

User: "진행해"

User Query	Generated Search Query
AI 코딩 어시스턴트	AI 코딩 어시스턴트 2026 최신 동향
startup trends	startup trends 2026 latest
React vs Vue	React vs Vue 2026 comparison