/product-research — Product Research
Receives a brief from a designer, researches products across the web, and returns a curated shortlist of candidates. Selected products are saved to the master Google Sheet.
How It Works
Designer gives a brief
↓
Claude searches the web
↓
Presents candidates with specs + reasoning
↓
Designer picks winners
↓
Saved to master Google Sheet
Step 1: Take the Brief
The designer describes what they're looking for. A brief can be loose or specific:
Loose:
"I need acoustic panels for a tech office lobby"
Specific:
"Looking for a round dining table, 48-54" diameter, solid wood top (walnut or oak preferred), steel or brass base, under $3,000, needs to be in stock or <6 week lead time"
What to capture from the brief
Extract as many of these as the designer provides. Don't ask for fields they didn't mention — work with what you have.
| Field |
Examples |
| Category |
Table, seating, lighting, acoustic panel, planter, storage |
| Use context |
Office lobby, conference room, outdoor terrace, home office |
| Style / aesthetic |
Scandinavian, mid-century, industrial, minimal, warm, bold |
| Materials |
Solid wood, marble, steel, fabric, mesh, recycled |
| Dimensions |
"48-54 inch diameter", "under 30 inches tall", "fits a 6x4 space" |
| Budget |
Under $3,000, $500-$1,000 range, high-end, budget-friendly |
| Sustainability |
GREENGUARD, FSC, Cradle to Cradle, recycled content, B Corp |
| Lead time |
In stock, under 6 weeks, no rush |
| Quantity |
1 hero piece, 12 for a conference room, 50+ for open office |
| Indoor/Outdoor |
Indoor, outdoor, both |
| Must-haves |
Stackable, COM available, ADA compliant, weatherproof |
| Brands to consider |
"I like Muuto and HAY", "no Herman Miller" |
| Brands to avoid |
"Not Ikea", "nothing from Amazon" |
Don't interview the designer. If the brief is "acoustic panels for a lobby," that's enough to start searching. You can clarify after showing initial results if needed ("I found options in fabric, felt, and wood slat — any preference?").
Step 2: Research
Search the web for products matching the brief. Use multiple targeted queries to cover different angles:
Search strategy
For a brief like "round dining table, walnut, under $3,000":
- Category + material search:
round walnut dining table
- Design-focused search:
best round wood dining tables architects designers
- Trade/contract search:
contract round dining table solid wood specifications (for commercial projects)
- Specific brand searches if the designer mentioned preferences:
Muuto round table, HAY dining table
- Sustainability search if relevant:
FSC certified round dining table
Run 3-5 searches depending on brief complexity. Aim for breadth — different price points, brands, styles.
For each candidate found
Attempt to fetch the product page with WebFetch to extract full specs. If the page is JS-rendered and returns no data:
- Use whatever info is available from the search result snippet
- Fill in from general knowledge if the product is well-known
- Note specs as "unverified" if sourced from search snippets rather than product pages
Target: 6-10 candidates that genuinely match the brief. Don't pad the list with weak matches.
Step 3: Present Candidates
Show results as a numbered shortlist with enough detail to evaluate:
## Product Research: Round Dining Tables (walnut, under $3,000)
### 1. Alle Table Round — Hem
Designer: Staffan Holm · 59" dia × 29"H
Materials: Solid oak top, powder-coated steel base
Price: $2,399 USD · Lead: 8-12 weeks
Finishes: Natural oak, smoked oak, walnut stain
Indoor · COM: N/A
🔗 hem.com/en-us/furniture/tables/alle/30421
Why: Clean Scandinavian lines, strong scale for a lobby, within budget.
Walnut stain option available. Hem has good contract pricing.
### 2. Snaregade Round — Menu
Designer: Norm Architects · 54" dia × 28.5"H
Materials: Oak veneer top, powder-coated steel base
Price: $2,195 USD · Lead: 6-8 weeks
Finishes: Dark stained oak, light oak
Indoor · COM: N/A
🔗 menuspace.com/snaregade-round
Why: Norm Architects pedigree, slightly under budget,
faster lead time. Veneer top (not solid) — flag if that matters.
### 3. ...
---
## Summary
| # | Product | Brand | Ø | Price | Lead | Material | Notes |
|---|---------|-------|---|-------|------|----------|-------|
| 1 | Alle Round | Hem | 59" | $2,399 | 8-12w | Solid oak | Walnut stain ✓ |
| 2 | Snaregade Round | Menu | 54" | $2,195 | 6-8w | Oak veneer | Not solid wood |
| 3 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Which ones should I save to your product library?
Presentation rules
- Lead with the summary table if there are 6+ candidates — designers scan visually
- Include "Why" for each — explain why this product matches the brief, and flag any compromises
- Flag trade-offs honestly — "veneer not solid", "over budget but worth seeing", "long lead time"
- Don't oversell — if a product is a weak match, say so or don't include it
- Group by angle if useful — "Budget options", "Premium picks", "Fastest delivery"
Step 4: Save to Sheet
When the designer picks candidates ("save 1, 3, and 5"), write them to the master Google Sheet.
Connecting to the sheet
If not already connected, ask for the Google Sheet ID or URL. Same sheet used by other product skills.
Row format
Write rows to the master product sheet using the 33-column schema. Read ../../schema/product-schema.md (relative to this SKILL.md) for the full column reference, field formats, and category vocabulary. Read ../../schema/sheet-conventions.md for CRUD patterns with MCP tools.
Skill-specific column values:
- AG (Source):
research
- AF (Status):
saved
- AD (Tags): From brief context (e.g. "lobby-reno, walnut")
- AE (Notes): The "Why" reasoning from the presentation
- T (Selected Color/Finish): Blank (designer hasn't configured yet)
After saving
✓ Saved 3 products to your library (rows 48-50).
Tagged: lobby-reno, walnut
Want me to refine the search? Different style, budget, or materials?
Step 5 (Optional): Iterate
The designer may want to refine:
- "More like #1 but cheaper" → Search for alternatives in that style/brand tier
- "What about outdoor versions?" → New search with added constraint
- "Can you find the spec sheet PDF for #3?" → Search for manufacturer cut sheet
- "Compare #1 and #3 side by side" → Detailed comparison
- "Any of these have GREENGUARD?" → Check certifications for the shortlist
Each iteration can add more products to the sheet.
Conversation Style
- Don't over-ask before searching. A one-line brief is enough to start.
- Show results, then refine. It's faster to react to real options than to specify everything upfront.
- Be opinionated. The designer wants a knowledgeable research assistant, not a search engine. Flag the best options, note trade-offs, suggest alternatives.
- Know the industry. Reference relevant brands, designers, trade platforms. Understand contract vs. residential, COM/COL, lead times, certifications.
Notes
- JS-rendered product pages are common (Hem, Muuto, Vitra, etc.). If WebFetch returns no data, use search result snippets + general knowledge. Note when specs are unverified.
- The sheet is shared. Products from this skill live alongside bulk-fetch imports and PDF extractions. The
Source column ("research") identifies where each row came from.
1---2name: product-research3description: FF&E product research — receives a brief from the designer, searches the web for matching products, and returns structured candidates to save to the master Google Sheet.4---5
6# /product-research — Product Research
7
8Receives a brief from a designer, researches products across the web, and returns a curated shortlist of candidates. Selected products are saved to the master Google Sheet.
9
10## How It Works
11
12```
13Designer gives a brief
14 ↓
15Claude searches the web
16 ↓
17Presents candidates with specs + reasoning
18 ↓
19Designer picks winners
20 ↓
21Saved to master Google Sheet
22```
23
24## Step 1: Take the Brief
25
26The designer describes what they're looking for. A brief can be loose or specific:
27
28**Loose:**
29> "I need acoustic panels for a tech office lobby"
30
31**Specific:**
32> "Looking for a round dining table, 48-54" diameter, solid wood top (walnut or oak preferred), steel or brass base, under $3,000, needs to be in stock or <6 week lead time"
33
34### What to capture from the brief
35
36Extract as many of these as the designer provides. **Don't ask for fields they didn't mention** — work with what you have.
37
38| Field | Examples |
39|-------|---------|
40| **Category** | Table, seating, lighting, acoustic panel, planter, storage |
41| **Use context** | Office lobby, conference room, outdoor terrace, home office |
42| **Style / aesthetic** | Scandinavian, mid-century, industrial, minimal, warm, bold |
43| **Materials** | Solid wood, marble, steel, fabric, mesh, recycled |
44| **Dimensions** | "48-54 inch diameter", "under 30 inches tall", "fits a 6x4 space" |
45| **Budget** | Under $3,000, $500-$1,000 range, high-end, budget-friendly |
46| **Sustainability** | GREENGUARD, FSC, Cradle to Cradle, recycled content, B Corp |
47| **Lead time** | In stock, under 6 weeks, no rush |
48| **Quantity** | 1 hero piece, 12 for a conference room, 50+ for open office |
49| **Indoor/Outdoor** | Indoor, outdoor, both |
50| **Must-haves** | Stackable, COM available, ADA compliant, weatherproof |
51| **Brands to consider** | "I like Muuto and HAY", "no Herman Miller" |
52| **Brands to avoid** | "Not Ikea", "nothing from Amazon" |
53
54**Don't interview the designer.** If the brief is "acoustic panels for a lobby," that's enough to start searching. You can clarify *after* showing initial results if needed ("I found options in fabric, felt, and wood slat — any preference?").
55
56## Step 2: Research
57
58Search the web for products matching the brief. Use multiple targeted queries to cover different angles:
59
60### Search strategy
61
62For a brief like "round dining table, walnut, under $3,000":
63
641. **Category + material search**: `round walnut dining table`
652. **Design-focused search**: `best round wood dining tables architects designers`
663. **Trade/contract search**: `contract round dining table solid wood specifications` (for commercial projects)
674. **Specific brand searches** if the designer mentioned preferences: `Muuto round table`, `HAY dining table`
685. **Sustainability search** if relevant: `FSC certified round dining table`
69
70Run **3-5 searches** depending on brief complexity. Aim for breadth — different price points, brands, styles.
71
72### For each candidate found
73
74Attempt to fetch the product page with WebFetch to extract full specs. If the page is JS-rendered and returns no data:
75- Use whatever info is available from the search result snippet
76- Fill in from general knowledge if the product is well-known
77- Note specs as "unverified" if sourced from search snippets rather than product pages
78
79**Target: 6-10 candidates** that genuinely match the brief. Don't pad the list with weak matches.
80
81## Step 3: Present Candidates
82
83Show results as a numbered shortlist with enough detail to evaluate:
84
85```
86## Product Research: Round Dining Tables (walnut, under $3,000)
87
88### 1. Alle Table Round — Hem
89Designer: Staffan Holm · 59" dia × 29"H
90Materials: Solid oak top, powder-coated steel base
91Price: $2,399 USD · Lead: 8-12 weeks
92Finishes: Natural oak, smoked oak, walnut stain
93Indoor · COM: N/A
94🔗 hem.com/en-us/furniture/tables/alle/30421
95Why: Clean Scandinavian lines, strong scale for a lobby, within budget.
96Walnut stain option available. Hem has good contract pricing.
97
98### 2. Snaregade Round — Menu
99Designer: Norm Architects · 54" dia × 28.5"H
100Materials: Oak veneer top, powder-coated steel base
101Price: $2,195 USD · Lead: 6-8 weeks
102Finishes: Dark stained oak, light oak
103Indoor · COM: N/A
104🔗 menuspace.com/snaregade-round
105Why: Norm Architects pedigree, slightly under budget,
106faster lead time. Veneer top (not solid) — flag if that matters.
107
108### 3. ...
109
110---
111
112## Summary
113
114| # | Product | Brand | Ø | Price | Lead | Material | Notes |
115|---|---------|-------|---|-------|------|----------|-------|
116| 1 | Alle Round | Hem | 59" | $2,399 | 8-12w | Solid oak | Walnut stain ✓ |
117| 2 | Snaregade Round | Menu | 54" | $2,195 | 6-8w | Oak veneer | Not solid wood |
118| 3 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
119
120Which ones should I save to your product library?
121```
122
123### Presentation rules
124
125- **Lead with the summary table** if there are 6+ candidates — designers scan visually
126- **Include "Why"** for each — explain why this product matches the brief, and flag any compromises
127- **Flag trade-offs honestly** — "veneer not solid", "over budget but worth seeing", "long lead time"
128- **Don't oversell** — if a product is a weak match, say so or don't include it
129- **Group by angle** if useful — "Budget options", "Premium picks", "Fastest delivery"
130
131## Step 4: Save to Sheet
132
133When the designer picks candidates ("save 1, 3, and 5"), write them to the master Google Sheet.
134
135### Connecting to the sheet
136
137If not already connected, ask for the Google Sheet ID or URL. Same sheet used by other product skills.
138
139### Row format
140
141Write rows to the master product sheet using the 33-column schema. Read `../../schema/product-schema.md` (relative to this SKILL.md) for the full column reference, field formats, and category vocabulary. Read `../../schema/sheet-conventions.md` for CRUD patterns with MCP tools.
142
143Skill-specific column values:
144- **AG (Source):** `research`
145- **AF (Status):** `saved`
146- **AD (Tags):** From brief context (e.g. "lobby-reno, walnut")
147- **AE (Notes):** The "Why" reasoning from the presentation
148- **T (Selected Color/Finish):** Blank (designer hasn't configured yet)
149
150### After saving
151
152```
153✓ Saved 3 products to your library (rows 48-50).
154 Tagged: lobby-reno, walnut
155
156Want me to refine the search? Different style, budget, or materials?
157```
158
159## Step 5 (Optional): Iterate
160
161The designer may want to refine:
162
163- **"More like #1 but cheaper"** → Search for alternatives in that style/brand tier
164- **"What about outdoor versions?"** → New search with added constraint
165- **"Can you find the spec sheet PDF for #3?"** → Search for manufacturer cut sheet
166- **"Compare #1 and #3 side by side"** → Detailed comparison
167- **"Any of these have GREENGUARD?"** → Check certifications for the shortlist
168
169Each iteration can add more products to the sheet.
170
171## Conversation Style
172
173- **Don't over-ask before searching.** A one-line brief is enough to start.
174- **Show results, then refine.** It's faster to react to real options than to specify everything upfront.
175- **Be opinionated.** The designer wants a knowledgeable research assistant, not a search engine. Flag the best options, note trade-offs, suggest alternatives.
176- **Know the industry.** Reference relevant brands, designers, trade platforms. Understand contract vs. residential, COM/COL, lead times, certifications.
177
178## Notes
179
180- **JS-rendered product pages** are common (Hem, Muuto, Vitra, etc.). If WebFetch returns no data, use search result snippets + general knowledge. Note when specs are unverified.
181- **The sheet is shared.** Products from this skill live alongside bulk-fetch imports and PDF extractions. The `Source` column ("research") identifies where each row came from.
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