benbrastmckie Python Research Skill
Thin wrapper that delegates Python research to python-research-agent subagent.
Trigger Conditions
This skill activates when:
- Task type is "python"
- Research involves Python development
- Python-specific research is needed
Execution Flow
Stage 1: Input Validation
Validate task_number exists.
Stage 2 + Stage 3: Preflight Status Update and Postflight Marker
Source skill-base.sh once, then follow @.claude/context/patterns/skill-preflight-flow.md in
full for Stage 2 (preflight status update) and Stage 3 (marker creation):
source .claude/scripts/skill-base.sh
padded_num=$(printf "%03d" "$task_number")
skill_name="skill-python-research"
operation="research"
Stage 4a: Memory Retrieval and Literature Detection
Skip memory retrieval if: clean_flag is true (from --clean).
if [ "$clean_flag" != "true" ]; then
memory_context=$(bash .claude/scripts/memory-retrieve.sh "$description" "$task_type" "$focus_prompt" 2>/dev/null) || memory_context=""
fi
Follow @.claude/context/patterns/lit-stage4a-flow.md in full to resolve --lit and set
lit_context, exactly as skill-researcher does. This skill supplies the shared block's
preconditions: lit_flag, description, orchestrator_mode (default "false" when unset).
Stage 4: Prepare Delegation Context
Include task_context, focus_prompt, metadata_file_path. If memory_context and/or lit_context
from Stage 4a are non-empty, include them in the prompt (memory context first, then literature
briefing). Do NOT inject an empty block for either.
Stage 5: Invoke Subagent
Use Agent tool with subagent_type: "python-research-agent".
Stage 5b: Self-Execution Fallback
Follow @.claude/context/patterns/skill-self-execution-fallback.md in full. This skill's success
status value for that block's write obligation is "researched".
Postflight (ALWAYS EXECUTE)
The following stages MUST execute after work is complete, whether the work was done by a subagent or inline (Stage 5b). Do NOT skip these stages for any reason.
Stage 6: Parse Subagent Return
Read the metadata file from specs/{N}_{SLUG}/.return-meta.json, including memory_candidates.
Stage 7, 7a, 8, 8a, 9: Postflight Status, Memory Candidates, Artifact Linking, Notify, Cleanup
Follow @.claude/context/patterns/skill-postflight-flow.md in full: field_name=**Research**,
next_field=**Plan**.
Error Handling
Input Validation Errors
Return immediately if task not found.
Metadata File Missing
Keep status as "researching", report error.
Git Commit Failure
Non-blocking: Log failure but continue.
Return Format
Brief text summary (NOT JSON).