Research and Incorporate
Transform external knowledge into actionable, searchable project context through structured research, analysis, and memory integration.
Quick Start
/research-and-incorporate
Topic: Chesterton's Fence
Context: Decision-making principle for understanding existing systems before changing them
URLs: https://fs.blog/chestertons-fence/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._K._Chesterton
| Input |
Output |
Duration |
| Topic + Context + URLs |
Analysis doc + Serena memory + 5-10 Forgetful memories |
20-40 min |
Triggers
/research-and-incorporate - Main invocationresearch and incorporate {topic} - Natural languagestudy {topic} and add to memory - Alternative phrasingdeep dive on {topic} - Research focuslearn about {topic} for the project - Project integration focus
When to Use
Use this skill when:
- Researching an external concept, framework, or principle for project integration
- You need structured analysis with memory persistence (not just a web search)
- Building actionable knowledge from external sources
Use memory-documentary instead when:
- Investigating patterns already in existing memory systems
- You need cross-system evidence synthesis, not new external research
Parameters
| Parameter |
Required |
Description |
TOPIC |
Yes |
Subject to research (e.g., "Chesterton's Fence") |
CONTEXT |
Yes |
Why this matters to the project |
URLS |
No |
Comma-separated source URLs |
Process
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Phase 1: RESEARCH (BLOCKING) │
│ • Check existing knowledge (Serena + Forgetful) │
│ • Fetch URLs with quote extraction │
│ • Web search for additional context │
│ • Synthesize: principles, frameworks, examples, failure modes │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Phase 2: ANALYSIS DOCUMENT (BLOCKING) │
│ • Write 3000-5000 word analysis to .agents/analysis/ │
│ • Include: concepts, frameworks, applications, failure modes │
│ • Verify: 3+ examples, 3+ failure modes, 2+ relationships │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Phase 3: APPLICABILITY (BLOCKING) │
│ • Map integration points: agents, protocols, memory, skills │
│ • Propose applications with effort estimates │
│ • Prioritize: High/Medium/Low based on project goals │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Phase 4: MEMORY INTEGRATION (BLOCKING) │
│ • Create Serena project memory with cross-references │
│ • Create 5-10 atomic Forgetful memories (importance 7-10) │
│ • Link memories to related concepts (auto + manual) │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Phase 5: ACTION ITEMS │
│ • Create GitHub issue if implementation work identified │
│ • Document in session log │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Quality Gates (BLOCKING)
| Gate |
Requirement |
Phase |
| Research depth |
Core principles + frameworks + 3 examples |
1 |
| Analysis length |
3000-5000 words minimum |
2 |
| Concrete examples |
3+ with context and outcomes |
2 |
| Failure modes |
3+ anti-patterns with corrections |
2 |
| Relationships |
2+ connections to existing concepts |
2 |
| Memory atomicity |
Each memory <2000 chars, ONE concept |
4 |
| Memory count |
5-10 Forgetful memories created |
4 |
Verification Checklist
After completion, verify:
Anti-Patterns
| Avoid |
Why |
Instead |
| Superficial research |
Surface definitions miss actionable insights |
Dig into frameworks, examples, failure modes |
| Missing applicability |
Research without integration is wasted |
Every insight must show HOW it applies |
| Non-atomic memories |
>2000 chars or multiple concepts pollutes graph |
ONE concept per memory |
| Disconnected knowledge |
Orphaned artifacts aren't discoverable |
Link memories to related concepts |
| Template over-compliance |
Forcing irrelevant sections wastes tokens |
Organize for the topic, not the template |
| Skipping verification |
Quality gates exist for a reason |
Verify each phase before proceeding |
Related Skills
| Skill |
Relationship |
using-forgetful-memory |
Memory creation best practices |
encode-repo-serena |
Similar but for codebase analysis |
exploring-knowledge-graph |
Navigate created knowledge |
memory |
Search and retrieve incorporated knowledge |
References
| Document |
Content |
| workflow.md |
Detailed phase workflows with templates |
| memory-templates.md |
Forgetful memory structure templates |
Extension Points
- Additional research sources: Add MCP tools for specialized domains
- Custom analysis templates: Topic-specific document structures
- Automated validation: Scripts to verify memory atomicity
- Integration hooks: Connect to ADR review for architecture topics
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