Deep research

Base directory for this skill: /mnt/c/git/claude_code_project_template/.claude/skills/deep-research

Deep Research Skill - Claude-Native Autonomous Research

THIS IS AN AUTONOMOUS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR CLAUDE

You (Claude) conduct comprehensive, multi-phase research using your built-in tools (WebSearch, WebFetch). No external APIs, no Python scripts, no dependencies - just your own reasoning and research capabilities.

Core Concept

When a user needs comprehensive research:

1. You conduct the research using WebSearch and WebFetch
2. You analyze and synthesize using your reasoning
3. You write professional reports using Write tool
4. You cite sources properly with verification

This is NOT manual research guidance. This IS your autonomous research workflow.

When to Use This Skill

Activate when user requests:

• "Research X comprehensively"
• "Deep dive into Y"
• "Compare multiple options for Z"
• "I need a detailed analysis of..."
• "Investigate A thoroughly"
• "Literature review on B"

Trigger phrases: research, investigate, analyze, deep dive, comprehensive, comparison, literature review

Research Modes

Quick Research (5-10 sources, ~10 minutes)

Use when: User needs quick overview or has time constraints Process: 2-3 WebSearch queries, 5-8 WebFetch calls, basic synthesis

Standard Research (10-15 sources, ~20 minutes)

Use when: Most research requests (DEFAULT) Process: 4-5 WebSearch queries, 10-12 WebFetch calls, detailed synthesis

Comprehensive Research (20-30 sources, ~40 minutes)

Use when: User explicitly requests "comprehensive", "thorough", "detailed" Process: 6-8 WebSearch queries, 20-25 WebFetch calls, exhaustive synthesis

Iterative Research (30+ sources, ~60 minutes)

Use when: User requests "exhaustive", "complete guide", "everything about X" Process: Multi-phase research with section-based deep dives

Phase 1: Research Planning

Step 1: Understand the Request

Clarify:

• What exactly needs to be researched?
• How deep should the research be? (mode selection)
• What output does the user expect?
• Any specific focus areas or constraints?

Ask clarifying questions if needed, but don't over-clarify obvious requests.

Step 2: Break Down the Topic

Identify research dimensions:

• Core concepts: What are the fundamental aspects?
• Key questions: What specific questions need answering?
• Comparison factors: If comparing options, what criteria matter?
• Information sources: What types of sources are most valuable?

Step 3: Plan Search Strategy

Create search query variations:

• Broad queries: "X overview", "what is X"
• Specific queries: "X best practices", "X vs Y", "X tutorial"
• Current queries: "X 2025", "X latest", "X recent updates"
• Authoritative queries: "X official documentation", "X specification"
• Problem-focused: "X challenges", "X pitfalls", "X comparison"

Example for "React state management":

• "React state management overview"
• "React state management best practices 2025"
• "Redux vs MobX vs Zustand comparison"
• "React state management official documentation"
• "React state management patterns"

Phase 2: Information Gathering

Step 1: Execute Multi-Search Strategy

DO THIS (parallel searches for efficiency):

Use WebSearch tool multiple times in PARALLEL with different queries:
- Query 1: Broad overview
- Query 2: Best practices/recent
- Query 3: Comparison/alternatives
- Query 4: Official documentation
- Query 5: Specific aspect (if needed)

From each search:

• Note promising URLs (official docs, reputable sites, recent articles)
• Identify key themes appearing across results
• Skip obviously low-quality sources

Step 2: Fetch Detailed Content

Prioritize sources in this order:

1. Official documentation (.org, official project sites)
2. Reputable technical sites (MDN, CSS-Tricks, Smashing Magazine, web.dev)
3. Well-known blogs (Vercel, Netlify, major tech companies)
4. Recent articles (2024-2025)
5. Community resources (GitHub discussions, Stack Overflow)

Use WebFetch in PARALLEL for top 10-25 sources (based on mode):

Fetch multiple URLs simultaneously:
- Official docs (highest priority)
- 3-5 reputable technical articles
- 2-3 comparison/analysis pieces
- 2-3 recent articles (currency)
- 1-2 community discussions (real-world perspective)

Extract from each fetch:

• Key points and insights
• Quotes worth citing
• Code examples (if relevant)
• Author/publication date
• URL for citation

Step 3: Assess Source Quality

For each source, note:

• Authority: Official docs > Expert blogs > Community content
• Currency: Recent (2024-2025) > Older content
• Depth: Detailed analysis > Surface-level overviews
• Objectivity: Balanced perspective > Promotional content

Trust indicators:

• .gov, .edu, .org domains
• Official project documentation
• Recognized expert authors
• Recent publication dates
• Multiple corroborating sources

Phase 3: Analysis and Synthesis

Step 1: Organize Findings

Group information by themes:

• Core concepts: Fundamental understanding
• Approaches/Options: Different ways to solve the problem
• Best practices: Recommended patterns
• Common pitfalls: What to avoid
• Real-world usage: How it's used in practice
• Tradeoffs: Pros and cons of different approaches

Step 2: Identify Patterns

Look for:

• Consensus: What do multiple sources agree on?
• Disagreements: Where do sources conflict?
• Evolution: How has thinking changed over time?
• Trends: What's emerging or declining?
• Gaps: What information is missing?

Step 3: Synthesize Insights

Your job (Claude's unique value):

• Connect dots: Link concepts across sources
• Provide context: Explain why things matter
• Identify trade-offs: Weigh pros and cons
• Give perspective: What's most important?
• Make recommendations: Based on synthesis

Don't just summarize - add value through:

• Cross-source analysis
• Pattern identification
• Contextual understanding
• Nuanced recommendations

Phase 4: Report Generation

Structure Your Report

Every research report should include:

1. Executive Summary (2-3 paragraphs)

• What was researched
• Key findings in brief
• Main recommendation
• Critical takeaways

2. Research Objective

• What question was answered
• Why this research was needed
• Scope boundaries

3. Key Findings (Organized by Theme)

For each theme:

### Finding 1: [Theme Name]

[Detailed explanation of finding]

**Key Points**:
- Point 1 [Source 1]
- Point 2 [Source 2]
- Point 3 [Source 3]

**Analysis**: [Your synthesis and insights]

4. Comparisons (if applicable)

Create comparison tables:

| Feature | Option A | Option B | Option C |
|---------|----------|----------|----------|
| Complexity | Low | Medium | High |
| Performance | Good | Excellent | Fair |
| Use Cases | Small projects | Large apps | Specific needs |

5. Best Practices

• Recommended approaches
• Industry standards
• Common patterns
• Expert advice

6. Recommendations

• Primary recommendation with rationale
• Alternative approaches
• When to use each
• Implementation guidance

7. Sources and References

Citation format:

## References

1. [Title] - [Author/Organization] ([Date]) - [URL]
2. [Title] - [Author/Organization] ([Date]) - [URL]

Example:

1. "React State Management Guide" - React Team (2025) - https://react.dev/learn/managing-state
2. "Redux vs Zustand: A Comparison" - Lee Robinson (2024) - https://vercel.com/blog/redux-zustand

8. Metadata

---

**Research Date**: [Date]
**Researcher**: Claude Code
**Sources Consulted**: [Number]
**Research Mode**: [Quick/Standard/Comprehensive/Iterative]
**Confidence Level**: [High/Medium/Low]

Use the Write Tool

Save research to:

docs/research/[topic-slug]_[timestamp].md

Example:

docs/research/react_state_management_20251020_143022.md

Research Workflow Examples

Example 1: Technology Comparison

User: "Compare React state management solutions"

Your Process:

1. Plan (30 seconds):

   • Research Redux, Zustand, Jotai, MobX, React Context
   • Compare: complexity, performance, use cases, ecosystem
   • Mode: Comprehensive (user wants thorough comparison)

2. Search (5 minutes):

   WebSearch in parallel:
   - "React state management comparison 2025"
   - "Redux vs Zustand vs Jotai"
   - "React state management best practices"
   - "React state management official documentation"
   - "React state management performance"
   

3. Fetch (15 minutes):

   WebFetch in parallel (top 20 sources):
   - Official React docs on state
   - Redux official docs
   - Zustand GitHub + docs
   - Jotai docs
   - 5-8 comparison articles
   - 3-4 recent blog posts
   - 2-3 GitHub discussions
   

4. Analyze (10 minutes):

   • Create comparison matrix
   • Identify use cases for each
   • Note pros/cons
   • Synthesize recommendations

5. Write Report (10 minutes):

   • Executive summary
   • Detailed comparison
   • Comparison table
   • Recommendations by use case
   • 20+ citations

Output: 15-20 page comprehensive comparison report

---

Example 2: Best Practices Research

User: "Research API design best practices"

Your Process:

1. Plan:

   • Research REST, GraphQL, design patterns
   • Find industry standards
   • Mode: Standard (typical request)

2. Search:

   - "API design best practices 2025"
   - "REST API design principles"
   - "API design patterns"
   - "API security best practices"
   

3. Fetch (12 sources):

   • Industry standards (OpenAPI, JSON:API)
   • Expert blog posts
   • Company engineering blogs
   • Official documentation

4. Analyze:

   • Identify common patterns
   • Note industry consensus
   • Extract specific guidelines

5. Write Report:

   • Best practices by category
   • Code examples
   • Anti-patterns to avoid
   • Recommendations

Output: 10-15 page best practices guide

---

Example 3: Deep Dive Technical Topic

User: "Deep dive into React Server Components"

Your Process:

1. Plan:

   • Understand architecture
   • How they work
   • Use cases and benefits
   • Mode: Comprehensive

2. Search:

   - "React Server Components explained"
   - "React Server Components architecture"
   - "React Server Components vs Client Components"
   - "React Server Components use cases"
   - "React Server Components Next.js"
   

3. Fetch (20 sources):

   • Official React docs (primary)
   • React team blog posts
   • Next.js documentation
   • Technical deep dives
   • Real-world examples

4. Analyze:

   • How RSC works (architecture)
   • Benefits and trade-offs
   • Use cases
   • Integration patterns

5. Write Report:

   • Technical architecture explanation
   • Conceptual diagrams (text)
   • Code examples
   • Best practices
   • Common patterns

Output: 20-25 page technical deep dive

Iterative Research Mode (Advanced)

For exhaustive research (30+ sources, 60+ minutes):

Phase 1: Overview Research

1. Broad searches to understand landscape
2. Fetch 5-8 overview sources
3. Identify main topic areas/sections

Phase 2: Section Identification

Based on overview, identify 4-6 major sections:

• Example for "Banking Regulations":
  • Section 1: Regulatory Framework
  • Section 2: Compliance Requirements
  • Section 3: Reporting Standards
  • Section 4: Security Requirements
  • Section 5: Audit Procedures

Phase 3: Deep Dive Each Section

For each section:

1. Targeted searches
2. Fetch 5-8 sources per section
3. Detailed analysis
4. Section write-up

Phase 4: Synthesis

1. Combine all sections
2. Add cross-references
3. Create comprehensive document
4. Final review and polish

Result: 30-50+ page exhaustive research document

Quality Standards

Every Research Report Must Have

✅ Multiple Sources:

• Minimum 5 sources for quick research
• Minimum 10 sources for standard
• Minimum 20 sources for comprehensive

✅ Proper Citations:

• All claims cited
• URLs included
• Publication dates noted
• Sources verified

✅ Synthesis, Not Just Summary:

• Your analysis and insights
• Connections across sources
• Pattern identification
• Recommendations

✅ Professional Structure:

• Clear headings
• Logical organization
• Executive summary
• Actionable recommendations

✅ Source Quality:

• Prioritize authoritative sources
• Recent content preferred
• Multiple perspectives
• Fact-checked where possible

Self-Check Before Delivering

• Research question clearly answered?
• Multiple credible sources consulted?
• Information organized logically?
• Synthesis provided (not just lists)?
• Recommendations are actionable?
• All sources properly cited?
• Report is professional quality?
• Appropriate depth for request?

Efficiency Tips

Use Parallel Tool Calls

DO THIS:

Send one message with multiple WebSearch calls
Send one message with multiple WebFetch calls

DON'T DO THIS:

WebSearch, wait for results
WebSearch again, wait for results
WebSearch again, wait for results
(Sequential = slow!)

Prioritize Ruthlessly

Focus on:

• Official documentation first
• Most reputable sources
• Recent content
• Directly relevant material

Skip:

• Obviously low-quality content
• Outdated information
• Promotional material
• Tangentially related topics

Know When to Stop

Research has diminishing returns:

• Quick: 5-10 sources is enough
• Standard: 10-15 sources
• Comprehensive: 20-25 sources
• Iterative: 30-50 sources

More sources ≠ better research. Quality over quantity.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

❌ Don't: Just Summarize Sources

Wrong: "Source 1 says X. Source 2 says Y. Source 3 says Z." Right: "Multiple sources agree that X is best for Y use case, though Z has advantages for specific scenarios [1][2][3]. The key trade-off is..."

❌ Don't: Single Source Dependency

Wrong: Base conclusions on one source Right: Verify important claims across 3+ sources

❌ Don't: Ignore Currency

Wrong: Use 2019 article about 2025 technology Right: Prioritize 2024-2025 content, note when using older sources

❌ Don't: Skip Synthesis

Wrong: List findings without analysis Right: Connect findings, identify patterns, provide insights

❌ Don't: Forget Citations

Wrong: Make claims without sources Right: Cite everything [1]

❌ Don't: Over-Research Trivial Questions

Wrong: 30 sources for "What is React?" Right: 5 sources for simple questions

Integration with Other Skills

With Task Management

1. Research technology options
2. Create tasks based on research findings
3. Link research report in task notes

With Planning

1. Research before feature planning
2. Use findings to inform PRD
3. Base technical decisions on research

With Code Implementation

1. Research best practices
2. Implement based on findings
3. Reference research in code comments

Example Research Report Template

See templates/research_report_template.md for a complete example.

Success Metrics

Research is successful when:

• ✅ User's question is thoroughly answered
• ✅ Multiple authoritative sources consulted
• ✅ Information is synthesized with insights
• ✅ Recommendations are clear and actionable
• ✅ Citations are complete and accurate
• ✅ Report is professional and well-organized
• ✅ Appropriate depth for importance of decision
• ✅ User can make informed decision

Final Checklist

Before delivering research:

• Conducted multi-source search
• Fetched and analyzed quality sources
• Synthesized findings (not just summarized)
• Created comparison tables (if applicable)
• Provided clear recommendations
• Cited all sources properly
• Wrote professional report
• Saved to docs/research/
• Summarized key findings for user
• Offered to answer follow-up questions

---

Remember

You are Claude - you have excellent research and synthesis capabilities. This skill is just a methodology to apply your abilities systematically. Trust your judgment, be thorough, and provide value through your unique insights and analysis.

No external tools needed - you have WebSearch and WebFetch. That's all you need for comprehensive research.

Quality over quantity - Better to deeply analyze 10 sources than superficially scan 50.

Add value through synthesis - Anyone can collect information. You provide insights, connections, and recommendations.

This is your superpower - Comprehensive, autonomous research that would take a human days, you do in minutes.