| name | research |
| description | Comprehensive research, analysis, and content extraction system. Multi-source parallel research using available researcher agents. Deep content analysis with extended thinking. Intelligent retrieval for difficult sites. Fabric pattern selection for 242+ specialized prompts. USE WHEN user says 'do research', 'extract wisdom', 'analyze content', 'find information about', or requests web/content research. |
Research Skill
API Keys Required
This skill works best with these optional API keys configured in ~/.env:
| Feature | API Key | Get It From |
|---|---|---|
| Perplexity Research | PERPLEXITY_API_KEY |
https://perplexity.ai/settings/api |
| Gemini Research | GOOGLE_API_KEY |
https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey |
| BrightData Scraping | BRIGHTDATA_API_KEY |
https://brightdata.com |
Works without API keys:
- Claude-based research (uses built-in WebSearch)
- Basic web fetching (uses built-in WebFetch)
- Fabric patterns (if Fabric CLI installed)
Workflow Routing
Multi-Source Research Workflows
When user requests comprehensive parallel research:
Examples: "do research on X", "research this topic", "find information about Y", "investigate this subject"
→ READ: ${PAI_DIR}/skills/research/workflows/conduct.md
→ EXECUTE: Parallel multi-agent research using available researcher agents
When user requests Claude-based research (FREE - no API keys):
Examples: "use claude for research", "claude research on X", "use websearch to research Y"
→ READ: ${PAI_DIR}/skills/research/workflows/claude-research.md
→ EXECUTE: Intelligent query decomposition with Claude's WebSearch
When user requests Perplexity research (requires PERPLEXITY_API_KEY):
Examples: "use perplexity to research X", "perplexity research on Y"
→ READ: ${PAI_DIR}/skills/research/workflows/perplexity-research.md
→ EXECUTE: Fast web search with query decomposition via Perplexity API
When user requests interview preparation:
Examples: "prepare interview questions for X", "interview research on Y"
→ READ: ${PAI_DIR}/skills/research/workflows/interview-research.md
→ EXECUTE: Interview prep with diverse question generation
Content Retrieval Workflows
When user indicates difficulty accessing content:
Examples: "can't get this content", "site is blocking me", "CAPTCHA blocking"
→ READ: ${PAI_DIR}/skills/research/workflows/retrieve.md
→ EXECUTE: Escalation through layers (WebFetch → BrightData → Apify)
When user provides YouTube URL:
Examples: "get this youtube video", "extract from youtube URL"
→ READ: ${PAI_DIR}/skills/research/workflows/youtube-extraction.md
→ EXECUTE: YouTube content extraction using fabric -y
When user requests web scraping:
Examples: "scrape this site", "extract data from this website"
→ READ: ${PAI_DIR}/skills/research/workflows/web-scraping.md
→ EXECUTE: Web scraping techniques and tools
Fabric Pattern Processing
When user requests Fabric pattern usage:
Examples: "use fabric to X", "create threat model", "summarize with fabric"
→ READ: ${PAI_DIR}/skills/research/workflows/fabric.md
→ EXECUTE: Auto-select best pattern from 242+ Fabric patterns
Content Enhancement Workflows
When user requests content enhancement:
Examples: "enhance this content", "improve this draft"
→ READ: ${PAI_DIR}/skills/research/workflows/enhance.md
→ EXECUTE: Content improvement and refinement
When user requests knowledge extraction:
Examples: "extract knowledge from X", "get insights from this"
→ READ: ${PAI_DIR}/skills/research/workflows/extract-knowledge.md
→ EXECUTE: Knowledge extraction and synthesis
Multi-Source Research
Three Research Modes
QUICK RESEARCH MODE:
- User says "quick research" → Launch 1 agent per researcher type
- Timeout: 2 minutes
- Best for: Simple queries, straightforward questions
STANDARD RESEARCH MODE (Default):
- Default for most research requests → Launch 3 agents per researcher type
- Timeout: 3 minutes
- Best for: Most research needs, comprehensive coverage
EXTENSIVE RESEARCH MODE:
- User says "extensive research" → Launch 8 agents per researcher type
- Timeout: 10 minutes
- Best for: Deep-dive research, comprehensive reports
Available Research Agents
Check ${PAI_DIR}/agents/ for agents with "researcher" in their name:
claude-researcher- Uses Claude's WebSearch (FREE, no API key needed)perplexity-researcher- Uses Perplexity API (requires PERPLEXITY_API_KEY)gemini-researcher- Uses Gemini API (requires GOOGLE_API_KEY)
Speed Benefits
- ❌ Old approach: Sequential searches → 5-10 minutes
- ✅ Quick mode: 1 agent per type → 2 minute timeout
- ✅ Standard mode: 3 agents per type → 3 minute timeout
- ✅ Extensive mode: 8 agents per type → 10 minute timeout
Intelligent Content Retrieval
Three-Layer Escalation System
Layer 1: Built-in Tools (Try First - FREE)
- WebFetch - Standard web content fetching
- WebSearch - Search engine queries
- When to use: Default for all content retrieval
Layer 2: BrightData MCP (requires BRIGHTDATA_API_KEY)
- CAPTCHA solving via Scraping Browser
- Advanced JavaScript rendering
- When to use: Bot detection blocking, CAPTCHA protection
Layer 3: Apify MCP (requires Apify account)
- Specialized site scrapers (Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Complex extraction logic
- When to use: Layers 1 and 2 both failed
Critical Rules:
- Always try simplest approach first (Layer 1)
- Escalate only when previous layer fails
- Document which layers were used and why
Fabric Pattern Selection
Categories (242+ Patterns)
Threat Modeling & Security:
create_threat_model,create_stride_threat_modelanalyze_threat_report,analyze_incident
Summarization:
summarize,create_5_sentence_summarysummarize_meeting,summarize_paper,youtube_summary
Wisdom Extraction:
extract_wisdom,extract_article_wisdomextract_insights,extract_main_idea
Analysis:
analyze_claims,analyze_code,analyze_debateanalyze_logs,analyze_paper
Content Creation:
create_prd,create_design_documentcreate_mermaid_visualization,create_user_story
Improvement:
improve_writing,improve_prompt,review_code
Usage
# Auto-select pattern based on intent
fabric [input] -p [selected_pattern]
# From URL
fabric -u "URL" -p [pattern]
# From YouTube
fabric -y "YOUTUBE_URL" -p [pattern]
File Organization
Working Directory (Scratchpad)
${PAI_DIR}/scratchpad/YYYY-MM-DD-HHMMSS_research-[topic]/
├── raw-outputs/
├── synthesis-notes.md
└── draft-report.md
Permanent Storage (History)
${PAI_DIR}/history/research/YYYY-MM/YYYY-MM-DD_[topic]/
├── README.md
├── research-report.md
└── metadata.json
Key Principles
- Parallel execution - Launch multiple agents simultaneously
- Hard timeouts - Don't wait indefinitely, proceed with partial results
- Simplest first - Always try free tools before paid services
- Auto-routing - Skill analyzes intent and activates appropriate workflow
Workflow Files
| Workflow | File | API Keys Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Source Research | workflows/conduct.md |
Varies by agent |
| Claude Research | workflows/claude-research.md |
None (FREE) |
| Perplexity Research | workflows/perplexity-research.md |
PERPLEXITY_API_KEY |
| Interview Prep | workflows/interview-research.md |
None |
| Content Retrieval | workflows/retrieve.md |
Optional: BRIGHTDATA_API_KEY |
| YouTube Extraction | workflows/youtube-extraction.md |
None (uses Fabric) |
| Web Scraping | workflows/web-scraping.md |
Optional: BRIGHTDATA_API_KEY |
| Fabric Patterns | workflows/fabric.md |
None |
| Content Enhancement | workflows/enhance.md |
None |
| Knowledge Extraction | workflows/extract-knowledge.md |
None |