208 lines
7.2 KiB
Markdown
208 lines
7.2 KiB
Markdown
---
|
|
name: deep-research
|
|
description: |
|
|
Generate format-controlled research reports with evidence tracking, citations, and iterative review. This skill should be used when users request a research report, literature review, market or industry analysis, competitive landscape, policy or technical brief, or require a strict report template and section formatting that a single deepresearch pass cannot reliably enforce.
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
# Deep Research
|
|
|
|
Create high-fidelity research reports with strict format control, evidence mapping, and multi-pass synthesis.
|
|
|
|
## Quick Start
|
|
|
|
1. Clarify the report spec and format contract
|
|
2. Build a research plan and query set
|
|
3. Collect evidence with the deepresearch tool (multi-pass if needed)
|
|
4. Triage sources and build an evidence table
|
|
5. Draft the full report in multiple complete passes (parallel subagents)
|
|
6. UNION merge, enforce format compliance, verify citations
|
|
7. Present draft for human review and iterate
|
|
|
|
## Core Workflow
|
|
|
|
Copy this checklist and track progress:
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
Deep Research Progress:
|
|
- [ ] Step 1: Intake and format contract
|
|
- [ ] Step 2: Research plan and query set
|
|
- [ ] Step 3: Evidence collection (deepresearch tool)
|
|
- [ ] Step 4: Source triage and evidence table
|
|
- [ ] Step 5: Outline and section map
|
|
- [ ] Step 6: Multi-pass full drafting (parallel subagents)
|
|
- [ ] Step 7: UNION merge and format compliance
|
|
- [ ] Step 8: Evidence and citation verification
|
|
- [ ] Step 9: Present draft for human review and iterate
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
### Step 1: Intake and Format Contract
|
|
|
|
Establish the report requirements before any research:
|
|
|
|
- Confirm audience, purpose, scope, time range, and geography
|
|
- Lock output format: Markdown, DOCX, slides, or user-provided template
|
|
- Capture required sections and exact formatting rules
|
|
- Confirm citation style (footnotes, inline, numbered, APA, etc.)
|
|
- Confirm length targets per section
|
|
- Ask for any existing style guide or sample report
|
|
|
|
Create a concise report spec file:
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
Report Spec:
|
|
- Audience:
|
|
- Purpose:
|
|
- Scope:
|
|
- Time Range:
|
|
- Geography:
|
|
- Required Sections:
|
|
- Section Formatting Rules:
|
|
- Citation Style:
|
|
- Output Format:
|
|
- Length Targets:
|
|
- Tone:
|
|
- Must-Include Sources:
|
|
- Must-Exclude Topics:
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
If a user provides a template or an example report, treat it as a hard constraint and mirror the structure.
|
|
|
|
### Step 2: Research Plan and Query Set
|
|
|
|
Define the research strategy before calling tools:
|
|
|
|
- Break the main question into 3-7 subquestions
|
|
- Define key entities, keywords, and synonyms
|
|
- Identify primary sources vs secondary sources
|
|
- Define disqualifiers (outdated, low quality, opinion-only)
|
|
- Assemble a query set per section
|
|
|
|
Use [references/research_plan_checklist.md](references/research_plan_checklist.md) for guidance.
|
|
|
|
### Step 3: Evidence Collection (Deepresearch Tool)
|
|
|
|
Use the deepresearch tool to collect evidence and citations.
|
|
|
|
- Run multiple complete passes if coverage is uncertain
|
|
- Vary query phrasing to reduce blind spots
|
|
- Preserve raw tool output in files for traceability
|
|
|
|
**File structure (recommended):**
|
|
```
|
|
<output_dir>/research/<topic-name>/
|
|
deepresearch_pass1.md
|
|
deepresearch_pass2.md
|
|
deepresearch_pass3.md
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
If deepresearch is unavailable, rely on user-provided sources only and state limitations explicitly.
|
|
|
|
### Step 4: Source Triage and Evidence Table
|
|
|
|
Normalize and score sources before drafting:
|
|
|
|
- De-duplicate sources across passes
|
|
- Score sources using [references/source_quality_rubric.md](references/source_quality_rubric.md)
|
|
- Build an evidence table mapping claims to sources
|
|
|
|
Evidence table minimum columns:
|
|
|
|
- Source ID
|
|
- Title
|
|
- Publisher
|
|
- Date
|
|
- URL or reference
|
|
- Quality tier (A/B/C)
|
|
- Notes
|
|
|
|
### Step 5: Outline and Section Map
|
|
|
|
Create an outline that enforces the format contract:
|
|
|
|
- Use the template in [references/research_report_template.md](references/research_report_template.md)
|
|
- Produce a section map with required elements per section
|
|
- Confirm ordering and headings match the report spec
|
|
|
|
### Step 6: Multi-Pass Full Drafting (Parallel Subagents)
|
|
|
|
Avoid single-pass drafting; generate multiple complete reports, then merge.
|
|
|
|
#### Preferred Strategy: Parallel Subagents (Complete Draft Each)
|
|
|
|
Use the Task tool to spawn parallel subagents with isolated context. Each subagent must:
|
|
|
|
- Load the report spec, outline, and evidence table
|
|
- Draft the FULL report (all sections)
|
|
- Enforce formatting rules and citation style
|
|
|
|
**Implementation pattern:**
|
|
```
|
|
Task(subagent_type="general-purpose", prompt="Draft complete report ...", run_in_background=false) -> version1.md
|
|
Task(subagent_type="general-purpose", prompt="Draft complete report ...", run_in_background=false) -> version2.md
|
|
Task(subagent_type="general-purpose", prompt="Draft complete report ...", run_in_background=false) -> version3.md
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
**Write drafts to files, not conversation context:**
|
|
```
|
|
<output_dir>/intermediate/<topic-name>/version1.md
|
|
<output_dir>/intermediate/<topic-name>/version2.md
|
|
<output_dir>/intermediate/<topic-name>/version3.md
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
### Step 7: UNION Merge and Format Compliance
|
|
|
|
Merge using UNION, never remove content without evidence-based justification:
|
|
|
|
- Keep all unique findings from all versions
|
|
- Consolidate duplicates while preserving the most detailed phrasing
|
|
- Ensure every claim in the merged draft has a cited source
|
|
- Enforce the exact section order, headings, and formatting
|
|
- Re-run formatting rules from [references/formatting_rules.md](references/formatting_rules.md)
|
|
|
|
### Step 8: Evidence and Citation Verification
|
|
|
|
Verify traceability:
|
|
|
|
- Every numeric claim has at least one source
|
|
- Every recommendation references supporting evidence
|
|
- No orphan claims without citations
|
|
- Dates and time ranges are consistent
|
|
- Conflicts are explicitly called out with both sources
|
|
|
|
Use [references/completeness_review_checklist.md](references/completeness_review_checklist.md).
|
|
|
|
### Step 9: Present Draft for Human Review and Iterate
|
|
|
|
Present the draft as a reviewable version:
|
|
|
|
- Emphasize that format compliance and factual accuracy need human review
|
|
- Accept edits to format, structure, and scope
|
|
- If the user provides another AI output, cross-compare and UNION merge
|
|
|
|
## Output Requirements
|
|
|
|
- Match the requested language and tone
|
|
- Preserve technical terms in English
|
|
- Respect the report spec and formatting rules
|
|
- Include a references section or bibliography
|
|
|
|
## Reference Files
|
|
|
|
| File | When to Load |
|
|
| --- | --- |
|
|
| [research_report_template.md](references/research_report_template.md) | Build outline and draft structure |
|
|
| [formatting_rules.md](references/formatting_rules.md) | Enforce section formatting and citation rules |
|
|
| [source_quality_rubric.md](references/source_quality_rubric.md) | Score and triage sources |
|
|
| [research_plan_checklist.md](references/research_plan_checklist.md) | Build research plan and query set |
|
|
| [completeness_review_checklist.md](references/completeness_review_checklist.md) | Review for coverage, citations, and compliance |
|
|
|
|
## Anti-Patterns
|
|
|
|
- Single-pass drafting without parallel complete passes
|
|
- Splitting passes by section instead of full report drafts
|
|
- Ignoring the format contract or user template
|
|
- Claims without citations or evidence table mapping
|
|
- Mixing conflicting dates without calling out discrepancies
|
|
- Copying external AI output without verification
|
|
- Deleting intermediate drafts or raw research outputs
|