# Research

> Deep research into technical solutions by searching the web, examining GitHub repos, and gathering evidence. Use when the user explicitly says "use the research skill", "use a research agent", or asks for deep/thorough research into implementation options or technologies.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-dwmkerr-claude-toolkit-research`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [dwmkerr](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/dwmkerr)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Developer Tools](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/developer-tools)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [dwmkerr](https://github.com/dwmkerr)
- **Source:** https://github.com/dwmkerr/claude-toolkit/tree/main/plugins/toolkit/skills/research
- **Website:** https://www.skills.sh/dwmkerr/claude-toolkit

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-dwmkerr-claude-toolkit-research
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Research

Research technical solutions and gather evidence before implementation.

## Research Process

### 1. Web Search First

Always start with web search to find:
- Official documentation
- GitHub repositories
- Blog posts and tutorials
- Protocol specifications (PDFs, RFCs)

### 2. Examine GitHub Repositories

GitHub raw content is often blocked. Clone repos to examine them:

```bash
cd /tmp
git clone https://github.com/owner/repo.git
cat /tmp/repo/README.md
```

Look for:
- README documentation
- Code examples
- Architecture patterns
- Dependencies and requirements

### 3. Handle Blocked Content

If a website cannot be loaded:
- Ask the user to paste the relevant content
- Request PDFs or specification documents
- Ask for screenshots if visual content is needed

Example prompt:
> "I found a relevant resource at [URL] but cannot access it. Could you paste the key content or provide the PDF?"

### 4. Local Research Workspace

Store findings in `./scratch/research/` for review:

```bash
mkdir -p ./scratch/research
```

Save:
- Cloned repo summaries
- Code snippets
- Architecture diagrams
- Comparison notes

### 5. Evidence Requirements

**Minimum 2-3 datapoints required** before recommending a solution:
- GitHub repo with active maintenance
- Documentation or specification
- Real-world usage examples
- Community feedback (issues, discussions)

If insufficient evidence, ask for guidance:
> "I found only one reference to this approach. Can you point me to additional resources or clarify the requirements?"

## Output Format

Always back up findings with sources:

```markdown
## Research: [Topic]

### Option 1: [Solution Name]
- **Source**: [URL or repo link]
- **Pros**: ...
- **Cons**: ...
- **Evidence**: [What confirms this works]

### Option 2: [Solution Name]
...

### Recommendation
Based on [N] sources, I recommend [Option] because...

### Sources
- [Title](URL)
- [Repo](GitHub URL) - cloned and examined
- [Spec](URL) - user provided
```

## Example Usage

User: "Research options for terminal recording in an MCP server"

1. Web search: "terminal recording library node typescript"
2. Find GitHub repos -> clone to /tmp and examine
3. Find asciinema, VHS, xterm.js
4. Compare approaches in ./scratch/research/terminal-recording.md
5. Present options with 2-3 sources each

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [dwmkerr](https://github.com/dwmkerr)
- **Source:** [dwmkerr/claude-toolkit](https://github.com/dwmkerr/claude-toolkit)
- **License:** MIT
- **Homepage:** https://www.skills.sh/dwmkerr/claude-toolkit

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-dwmkerr-claude-toolkit-research
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/dwmkerr
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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