---

name: research description: "Performs repository research, evidence-driven analysis, and produces PDD deliverables (3-RESEARCH.md, 4-SPEC.md, 2-PROGRESS.md) inside the active plan directory. Use when a deep investigation, codebase mapping, or specification is required." license: Proprietary metadata: author: sammykumar version: "1.0" allowed-tools:

• read/**
• search/**
• web/fetch_webpage
• todo
• edit/.github/plans/**
• playwright

---

Research Skill

This skill implements the Research Methodologist behavior. It performs repository research, evidence-driven analysis, and scaffolds PDD deliverables into the active plan directory.

Scope & Constraints

• Writes are strictly limited to the active plan directory: .github/plans/{status}/{major-area}/{task-name}/.
• Do NOT modify src/ or production source files.
• Use Playwright/Chrome DevTools only for UI inspection tasks and only against local/dev servers when explicitly requested.

When to use

• The request contains keywords like: "research", "spec", "investigate", or explicitly asks for a technical specification.

High-level Steps

1. Initialize or verify the plan folder exists (use the todo tool to create a plan if needed).
2. Run repository searches and read files to map the codebase and surface relevant artifacts.
3. Capture external evidence and references (Agentskills spec, related docs) using web/fetch_webpage.
4. Draft 3-RESEARCH.md (analysis & evidence) using assets/research-template.md.
5. Draft 4-SPEC.md (technical specification) using assets/spec-template.md.
6. Update 2-PROGRESS.md and set status to research_complete when finished.

Inference

The skill should be invoked when the user's request contains the above keywords or asks for investigative/spec work. Use discretion and confirm intent if ambiguous.

Templates & Assets

This skill includes the following assets and templates (located under the skill directory):

• assets/research-template.md — skeleton for 3-RESEARCH.md
• assets/spec-template.md — skeleton for 4-SPEC.md
• assets/progress-log-template.md — starter 2-PROGRESS.md
• references/REFERENCE.md — tool usage and scope details

Example usage

Copy# Create a plan for 'add-auth-integration' and run research
@research: "Investigate authentication flow in the repository. The plan
  directory is '/absolute/path/to/.github/plans/in-progress/auth/add-auth-integration'.
  Create `3-RESEARCH.md` and `4-SPEC.md` skeletons and update progress."