Research Methodology Skill
Systematic approach for gathering accurate, version-specific documentation before implementation.
Auto-Invoke Triggers
- •Implementing specific libraries/APIs
- •Requesting current technology documentation
- •Verifying API signatures or methods
- •Working with external dependencies
- •Upgrading framework versions
5-Step Methodology
Step 1: Rapid Assessment (< 30 seconds)
- •Extract library/API names from request
- •Detect versions from dependency files:
- •
package.json(Node.js) - •
requirements.txt(Python) - •
Cargo.toml(Rust)
- •
- •Ask ONE clarifying question if needed
Step 2: Source Prioritization
| Priority | Source | Trust Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Official documentation | HIGH |
| 2 | Migration guides | HIGH |
| 3 | Release notes | HIGH |
| 4 | GitHub repos | MEDIUM |
| 5 | Blogs, tutorials | LOW |
| ❌ | Stack Overflow, AI content | AVOID |
Step 3: Information Retrieval (< 90 seconds)
- •Use WebFetch for official documentation URLs
- •Use WebSearch to discover official sites
- •Extract:
- •API signatures
- •Setup instructions
- •Code examples
- •Gotchas/caveats
- •Best practices
- •60-second timeout per source
Step 4: Verification & Citation
- •Cite EVERY claim with:
- •Version number
- •Source URL
- •Section reference
- •Assess confidence:
- •HIGH: Official docs, exact version match
- •MEDIUM: GitHub, close version
- •LOW: Community sources, version mismatch
Step 5: Structured Output
Deliver ResearchPack format:
markdown
## ResearchPack: [Library/API Name] ### Quick Reference - **Library**: name v1.2.3 - **Use Case**: [what we're implementing] - **Confidence**: HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW ### Key APIs | Function | Signature | Description | |----------|-----------|-------------| | func1 | `func1(arg: Type): Return` | Does X | | func2 | `func2(arg: Type): Return` | Does Y | ### Setup Steps 1. Install: `npm install library` 2. Configure: ... 3. Import: ... ### Gotchas - ⚠️ [Common mistake to avoid] - ⚠️ [Version-specific caveat] ### Code Examples ```typescript // Example usage
Implementation Checklist
- • Install dependencies
- • Configure settings
- • Import modules
- • Implement feature
Open Questions
- • [Decision needed for planning phase]
Sources
- •Official Docs - v1.2.3, Section X
- •GitHub - README
code
## Quality Standards - **Accuracy**: API signatures match docs exactly - **Citations**: Every claim has source URL - **Version-aware**: Information matches project version - **Actionable**: Clear implementation guidance - **Time**: Under 2 minutes total ## Project-Specific Sources ### React/TypeScript - https://react.dev/ - https://www.typescriptlang.org/docs/ ### Material-UI - https://mui.com/material-ui/ ### Vite - https://vitejs.dev/ ### AI APIs - https://docs.imagerouter.io/ - https://platform.openai.com/docs/ ## Confidence Levels | Level | Criteria | |-------|----------| | HIGH | Official docs, exact version, tested | | MEDIUM | Official docs, close version | | LOW | Community source, version uncertain | | AVOID | No citation, speculation |