# Search First

> Research-before-coding workflow. Use before implementing a feature to check for existing libraries, MCP servers, or patterns.

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

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# Search First

Research before coding. Check for existing solutions before writing custom code.

## Workflow

### 1. Need Analysis
- What functionality is needed?
- What are the constraints (size, license, dependencies)?
- Is this a solved problem?

### 2. Search Sources (in order)
1. **Package registries** — npm, PyPI, crates.io for the relevant language
2. **MCP servers** — Check if an MCP integration exists
3. **GitHub** — Search for existing implementations
4. **Existing codebase** — Check if something similar already exists in the project

### 3. Evaluate Candidates
Score on: functionality match, maintenance status, community size, documentation quality, license compatibility, dependency footprint.

### 4. Decision Matrix

| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Exact match, well-maintained, MIT/Apache | **ADOPT** as-is |
| Partial match, good foundation | **EXTEND** with wrapper |
| Multiple weak matches | **COMPOSE** from pieces |
| Nothing suitable | **BUILD** custom (but informed) |

### 5. Implement
- If adopting: install, configure, write thin wrapper if needed
- If building: use discovered patterns as reference, not starting from scratch

## Common Shortcuts

| Domain | Go-to libraries |
|---|---|
| HTTP clients | httpx (Python), got/ky (Node) |
| Validation | pydantic (Python), zod (TypeScript) |
| Data processing | pandas, polars |
| AI/LLM | anthropic SDK, langchain (if needed) |
| Testing | pytest, vitest |
| CLI | click/typer (Python), commander (Node) |

## Anti-Pattern
Writing 200 lines of custom code for something that `pip install X` solves in 3 lines. Always check first.