Research
Overview
A 3-phase workflow for answering research questions by searching the web and/or codebase, then synthesizing findings into a structured summary.
When to Use
- Caller needs information from the web (API docs, library usage, best practices)
- Caller needs to understand codebase patterns or conventions
- Caller needs to cross-reference external docs with local code
- Any question where the answer requires searching multiple sources
When NOT to Use
- The caller already has the information and just needs to act on it
- The question can be answered from a single known file (just Read it directly)
Phase Pipeline
Phase 1: Clarify
Before searching anything, understand what is being asked.
- Restate the question. Write a single sentence capturing what the caller
needs to know. If the question is ambiguous, state your interpretation
explicitly.
- Identify known context. What did the caller already provide? What can be
assumed from the project context?
- Choose search strategy:
- Web-only: Question is about external tools, libraries, APIs, or general
knowledge
- Codebase-only: Question is about how the current project works
- Both: Question requires cross-referencing external docs with local code
- Formulate sub-queries. Decompose the question into 2-3 focused search
queries. Each sub-query targets one specific aspect of the question.
Phase 2: Gather
Execute searches iteratively. Maximum 3 rounds — then report what you have.
Search strategies:
- Web: Start narrow with specific terms, broaden only if results are poor. Try different phrasings if first query underperforms. Prefer primary sources: official docs > authoritative blogs > AI-generated content. Triangulate important claims against 2+ independent sources.
- Codebase: Use Glob-then-Read (find files by pattern first, read only relevant ones). Use Grep for specific function names, patterns, or error strings. Start specific, broaden only if needed.
After each round, check: did this answer part of the question? Re-anchor to the original question to prevent drift. Identify remaining gaps to target in the next round. Track all sources (URLs, file paths with line numbers).
Stop gathering when:
- The question is fully answered, OR
- 3 search rounds are complete (report what you have with open questions)
Phase 3: Synthesize
Produce the Research Summary in exactly this format:
## Research Summary: [Topic]
**Question:** [Original question restated from Phase 1]
### Key Findings
- [Finding 1 — concise, actionable]
- [Finding 2]
- ...
### Sources
- [URL or file:line_number 1]
- [URL or file:line_number 2]
### Confidence
[HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW] — [one sentence justification]
### Open Questions
- [Anything unresolved or worth further investigation]
Confidence levels:
- HIGH: Multiple authoritative sources agree, or confirmed in official docs
- MEDIUM: Found in 1-2 sources, or sources partially conflict
- LOW: Limited sources, outdated information, or could not fully verify
Quick Reference
| Phase |
Input |
Output |
Key Rule |
| 1. Clarify |
Research question |
Restated question + sub-queries |
State interpretation if ambiguous |
| 2. Gather |
Sub-queries |
Raw findings with sources |
Max 3 rounds, re-anchor each round |
| 3. Synthesize |
Findings |
Research Summary |
Always include sources + confidence |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake |
Fix |
| Returning raw search results |
Synthesize into Key Findings with your own words |
| Searching endlessly without synthesizing |
Stop after 3 rounds. Partial answer > no answer. |
| Drifting to related but unasked topics |
Re-read the original question after each round |
| Using only one source for important claims |
Triangulate against 2+ sources |
| Broad search terms returning noise |
Start narrow: specific function names, error strings, exact phrases |
| Reading entire files when a section suffices |
Glob-then-Read: find first, read only what matters |
Constraints
- Never modify files or create artifacts. Research is read-only.
- Always synthesize. Never return raw search results or copy-paste from sources.
- Max 3 search rounds. Then report what you have — do not rabbit-hole.
- Always include sources and confidence level. No unsourced claims.
- Answer the question asked. Do not drift into tangential topics.
- Re-anchor after each search round. Compare findings against the original question.
- State ambiguity upfront. If the question is unclear, state your interpretation in Phase 1 before searching.
- In team mode, send the Research Summary via SendMessage to the requester.
Converted and distributed by TomeVault — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.
1---2name: yotto3s-oneteam-agents-research3description: Research4---56# Research78## Overview910A 3-phase workflow for answering research questions by searching the web and/or codebase, then synthesizing findings into a structured summary.1112## When to Use1314- Caller needs information from the web (API docs, library usage, best practices)15- Caller needs to understand codebase patterns or conventions16- Caller needs to cross-reference external docs with local code17- Any question where the answer requires searching multiple sources1819## When NOT to Use2021- The caller already has the information and just needs to act on it22- The question can be answered from a single known file (just Read it directly)2324## Phase Pipeline2526### Phase 1: Clarify2728Before searching anything, understand what is being asked.29301. **Restate the question.** Write a single sentence capturing what the caller31 needs to know. If the question is ambiguous, state your interpretation32 explicitly.332. **Identify known context.** What did the caller already provide? What can be34 assumed from the project context?353. **Choose search strategy:**36 - **Web-only:** Question is about external tools, libraries, APIs, or general37 knowledge38 - **Codebase-only:** Question is about how the current project works39 - **Both:** Question requires cross-referencing external docs with local code404. **Formulate sub-queries.** Decompose the question into 2-3 focused search41 queries. Each sub-query targets one specific aspect of the question.4243### Phase 2: Gather4445Execute searches iteratively. Maximum 3 rounds — then report what you have.4647**Search strategies:**48- **Web:** Start narrow with specific terms, broaden only if results are poor. Try different phrasings if first query underperforms. Prefer primary sources: official docs > authoritative blogs > AI-generated content. Triangulate important claims against 2+ independent sources.49- **Codebase:** Use Glob-then-Read (find files by pattern first, read only relevant ones). Use Grep for specific function names, patterns, or error strings. Start specific, broaden only if needed.5051After each round, check: did this answer part of the question? Re-anchor to the original question to prevent drift. Identify remaining gaps to target in the next round. Track all sources (URLs, file paths with line numbers).5253**Stop gathering when:**54- The question is fully answered, OR55- 3 search rounds are complete (report what you have with open questions)5657### Phase 3: Synthesize5859Produce the Research Summary in exactly this format:6061```62## Research Summary: [Topic]6364**Question:** [Original question restated from Phase 1]6566### Key Findings67- [Finding 1 — concise, actionable]68- [Finding 2]69- ...7071### Sources72- [URL or file:line_number 1]73- [URL or file:line_number 2]7475### Confidence76[HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW] — [one sentence justification]7778### Open Questions79- [Anything unresolved or worth further investigation]80```8182**Confidence levels:**83- **HIGH:** Multiple authoritative sources agree, or confirmed in official docs84- **MEDIUM:** Found in 1-2 sources, or sources partially conflict85- **LOW:** Limited sources, outdated information, or could not fully verify8687## Quick Reference8889| Phase | Input | Output | Key Rule |90|-------|-------|--------|----------|91| 1. Clarify | Research question | Restated question + sub-queries | State interpretation if ambiguous |92| 2. Gather | Sub-queries | Raw findings with sources | Max 3 rounds, re-anchor each round |93| 3. Synthesize | Findings | Research Summary | Always include sources + confidence |9495## Common Mistakes9697| Mistake | Fix |98|---|---|99| Returning raw search results | Synthesize into Key Findings with your own words |100| Searching endlessly without synthesizing | Stop after 3 rounds. Partial answer > no answer. |101| Drifting to related but unasked topics | Re-read the original question after each round |102| Using only one source for important claims | Triangulate against 2+ sources |103| Broad search terms returning noise | Start narrow: specific function names, error strings, exact phrases |104| Reading entire files when a section suffices | Glob-then-Read: find first, read only what matters |105106## Constraints107108- **Never modify files or create artifacts.** Research is read-only.109- **Always synthesize.** Never return raw search results or copy-paste from sources.110- **Max 3 search rounds.** Then report what you have — do not rabbit-hole.111- **Always include sources and confidence level.** No unsourced claims.112- **Answer the question asked.** Do not drift into tangential topics.113- **Re-anchor after each search round.** Compare findings against the original question.114- **State ambiguity upfront.** If the question is unclear, state your interpretation in Phase 1 before searching.115- In team mode, send the Research Summary via SendMessage to the requester.116117---118> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/yotto3s) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.119<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-15 -->