Parallel Deep Research

Deep Research

Research topic: $ARGUMENTS

Requires parallel-cli ≥ 0.3.0. If any command below errors with no such option, no such command, or unrecognized arguments, the user is on an older CLI. Tell them to run parallel-cli update (or pipx upgrade parallel-web-tools if installed via pipx), then retry.

When to use (vs parallel-web-search)

ONLY use this skill when the user explicitly requests deep/exhaustive research. Deep research is 10-100x slower and more expensive than parallel-web-search. For normal "research X" requests, quick lookups, or fact-checking, use parallel-web-search instead.

Step 1: Start the research

Choose a descriptive filename based on the topic (e.g., ai-chip-market-2026, react-vs-vue-comparison). Use lowercase with hyphens, no spaces. Reuse this base name in step 2 as -o "$FILENAME".

parallel-cli research run "$ARGUMENTS" --processor pro-fast --text --no-wait --json

The --text flag tells the API to return a markdown report (with inline citations) when the task completes, instead of the default structured JSON. Use it for narrative/report-style requests, which is what most users want from "deep research." Drop --text if the user explicitly wants structured JSON output.

Optional with --text: pass --text-description "Keep under 1500 words, focus on M&A activity" to steer length, format, or focus.

If this is a follow-up to a previous research or enrichment task where you know the interaction_id, add context chaining:

parallel-cli research run "$ARGUMENTS" --processor lite-fast --text --no-wait --json --previous-interaction-id "$INTERACTION_ID"

By chaining interaction_id values across requests, each follow-up question automatically has the full context of prior turns — so you can drill deeper without restating what was already researched. Use a lighter processor (lite-fast or base-fast) for follow-ups since the heavy lifting was done in the initial turn.

This returns instantly. Do NOT omit --no-wait — without it the command blocks for minutes and will time out.

Processor options (choose based on user request):

Notes on the -fast suffix: -fast tiers use cached web data and are quicker. The non-fast variants (pro, ultra, etc.) re-fetch fresher data — slower but better for very recent events. Default to -fast unless the user specifically asks about news from the last day or two.

Run parallel-cli research processors to see the full list with latencies.

Parse the JSON output to extract the run_id, interaction_id, and monitoring URL. Immediately tell the user:

• Deep research has been kicked off
• The expected latency for the processor tier chosen (from the table above)
• The monitoring URL where they can track progress

Tell them they can background the polling step to continue working while it runs.

Step 2: Poll for results

parallel-cli research poll "$RUN_ID" -o "$FILENAME" --timeout 540

Important:

• Use --timeout 540 (9 minutes) to stay within tool execution limits
• Do NOT pass --json — the full output is large and will flood context. The -o flag writes results to files instead.
• With -o "$FILENAME":
  • $FILENAME.json is always written (metadata + basis)
  • $FILENAME.md is written only if step 1 used --text (markdown report)
• The poll command prints an executive summary to stdout when the research completes. Share this executive summary with the user — it gives them a quick overview without having to open the files.
• Pass --force if re-polling and you want to overwrite existing files

If the poll times out

Higher processor tiers can take longer than 9 minutes. If the poll exits without completing:

1. Tell the user the research is still running server-side
2. Re-run the same parallel-cli research poll command to continue waiting

Response format

After step 1: Share the monitoring URL (for tracking progress only — it is not the final report).

After step 2:

1. Share the executive summary that the poll command printed to stdout
2. Tell the user the generated file paths:
   • $FILENAME.md — formatted markdown report (if --text was used)
   • $FILENAME.json — metadata and basis
3. Share the interaction_id and tell the user they can ask follow-up questions that build on this research (e.g., "drill deeper into X" or "compare that to Y")

Do NOT re-share the monitoring URL after completion — the results are in the files, not at that link.

Ask the user if they would like to read through the files for more detail. Do NOT read the file contents into context unless the user asks.

Remember the interaction_id — if the user asks a follow-up question that relates to this research, use it as --previous-interaction-id in the next research or enrichment command.

If the parallel-cli binary is not installed

If the shell reports command not found: parallel-cli (i.e. the binary itself is missing — distinct from a No such command error from a stale CLI, which the in-body guidance above covers), stop immediately. Do NOT search the web yourself, do NOT use any built-in search tools, and do NOT try to answer the query from your own knowledge. Instead, tell the user:

1. parallel-cli is not installed
2. Run /parallel-setup to install it
3. Then retry their request