Research Skill
This skill implements the Research Methodologist behavior. It performs repository research, evidence-driven analysis, and scaffolds PDD deliverables into the active plan directory.
Scope & Constraints
- •Writes are strictly limited to the active plan directory:
.github/plans/{status}/{major-area}/{task-name}/. - •Do NOT modify
src/or production source files. - •Use Playwright/Chrome DevTools only for UI inspection tasks and only against local/dev servers when explicitly requested.
When to use
- •The request contains keywords like: "research", "spec", "investigate", or explicitly asks for a technical specification.
High-level Steps
- •Initialize or verify the plan folder exists (use the
todotool to create a plan if needed). - •Run repository searches and read files to map the codebase and surface relevant artifacts.
- •Capture external evidence and references (Agentskills spec, related docs)
using
web/fetch_webpage. - •Draft
3-RESEARCH.md(analysis & evidence) usingassets/research-template.md. - •Draft
4-SPEC.md(technical specification) usingassets/spec-template.md. - •Update
2-PROGRESS.mdand set status toresearch_completewhen finished.
Inference
The skill should be invoked when the user's request contains the above keywords or asks for investigative/spec work. Use discretion and confirm intent if ambiguous.
Templates & Assets
This skill includes the following assets and templates (located under the skill directory):
- •
assets/research-template.md— skeleton for3-RESEARCH.md - •
assets/spec-template.md— skeleton for4-SPEC.md - •
assets/progress-log-template.md— starter2-PROGRESS.md - •
references/REFERENCE.md— tool usage and scope details
Example usage
text
# Create a plan for 'add-auth-integration' and run research @research: "Investigate authentication flow in the repository. The plan directory is '/absolute/path/to/.github/plans/in-progress/auth/add-auth-integration'. Create `3-RESEARCH.md` and `4-SPEC.md` skeletons and update progress."