# ResearchMonitor

> Monitors research topics for new papers, conferences, and journals.

- Skill: `modbender/researchmonitor` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 4 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add modbender/researchmonitor`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/modbender/researchmonitor/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: modbender (https://skillmd.com/u/modbender)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/modbender/researchmonitor

---


# ResearchMonitor

This skill helps you keep the user updated on their specific research field.

## Workflow

1.  **Check Configuration**:
    -   Read `research_config.json` in this directory to find the user's research topics and last checked date.
    -   If the file doesn't exist or topics are empty, ask the user what research topics they are interested in and save them using `scripts/daily_briefing.py --add-topic "topic"`.

2.  **Daily Check**:
    -   Get the current date.
    -   Compare with `last_checked` in `research_config.json`.
    -   If already checked today, do nothing unless explicitly asked.

3.  **Perform Search**:
    -   For each topic, use `search_web` to look for:
        -   "new research papers [topic] [current month/year]"
        -   "upcoming conferences [topic] [current year]"
        -   "new journal issues [topic] [current month/year]"
        -   Check specialized platforms like arXiv, IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar (via web search), or X (Twitter) if relevant.

4.  **Filter & Analyze**:
    -   For each potential item found, use `scripts/daily_briefing.py --check-seen "URL or Unique Title"`.
    -   If it returns "true", SKIP IT.
    -   Compare found items with what might have been seen yesterday (this requires some memory or just checking if the publication date is very recent, e.g., last 24-48 hours).
    -   **CRITICAL**: If there is *nothing significantly new* (no new major papers, no new conference announcements), **DO NOT BOTHER THE USER**.

5.  **Report**:
    -   If new items are found, compile a brief markdown report.
    -   Include:
        -   **Title**: News/Paper Title
        -   **Source**: URL/Journal Name
        -   **Summary**: 1-sentence summary of why it's relevant.
    -   Present this to the user.
    -   Mark the items as seen using `scripts/daily_briefing.py --mark-seen "URL or Unique Title"`.
    -   Update the `last_checked` date using `scripts/daily_briefing.py --update-date`.

## Scripts

-   `python scripts/daily_briefing.py --add-topic "topic"`: Adds a new research topic.
-   `python scripts/daily_briefing.py --list-topics`: Lists current topics.
-   `python scripts/daily_briefing.py --update-date`: Updates the last checked timestamp to now.
-   `python scripts/daily_briefing.py --check-seen "ID"`: Checks if an item ID (URL/Title) is already in memory.
-   `python scripts/daily_briefing.py --mark-seen "ID"`: Marks an item ID as seen.