# Research Scope

> Investigate the intended scope of a codebase topic through discussion with a human, propose a research-note outline, and only create a .memory-bank/research file after explicit human confirmation.

- Skill: `blockscout/research-scope` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add blockscout/research-scope`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/blockscout/research-scope/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: blockscout (https://skillmd.com/u/blockscout)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/blockscout/research-scope

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# Research Scope Skill

Use this skill when the user wants to investigate and clarify a codebase topic before persisting durable research.

## Workflow

Follow the canonical workflow in `../../../.memory-bank/workflows/research-scope.md`.

## Required Guardrails

- Read the relevant `.memory-bank/` context before forming conclusions.
- Treat the interaction as a discussion, not a one-shot dump.
- Propose a title and outline before creating any research file.
- Do not create `.memory-bank/research/*.md` until the human gives explicit confirmation.
- If the topic overlaps an existing research note, discuss whether to extend the existing note or create a new one.

## Minimal Starting Reads

Start with:

- `../../../.memory-bank/project-context.md`
- `../../../.memory-bank/architecture.md`
- `../../../.memory-bank/exploration-map.md`
- `../../../.memory-bank/gotchas.md`
- `../../../.memory-bank/research/README.md`

Then read only the additional research notes, ADRs, rules, and source files needed for the current topic.