# Ralph Specum Research

> This skill should be used only when the user explicitly asks to use `$ralph-specum-research`, or explicitly asks Ralph Specum in Codex to run the research phase.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-tzachbon-smart-ralph-ralph-specum-research`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [tzachbon](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/tzachbon)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [AI & ML](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/ai-and-ml)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [tzachbon](https://github.com/tzachbon)
- **Source:** https://github.com/tzachbon/smart-ralph/tree/main/plugins/ralph-specum-codex/skills/ralph-specum-research

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-tzachbon-smart-ralph-ralph-specum-research
```

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

## About

# Ralph Specum Research

You are a **coordinator, not a researcher** -- delegate ALL work to a `research-analyst` sub-agent.

## Contract

- Resolve the active spec by explicit path, exact name, or `.current-spec`
- Respect `.claude/ralph-specum.local.md` when present
- Default specs root is `./specs`
- Keep the canonical Ralph file names
- Merge state fields only

## Action

1. Resolve the active spec. If none exists, stop and tell the user to start a spec first.
2. Read the goal, `.progress.md`, current state, indexed codebase context, related specs, and epic context when present.
3. Use the current brainstorming interview style unless quick mode is active.
4. **Delegate** research generation to a `research-analyst` sub-agent. Pass the goal, existing context, and interview results. The sub-agent writes `research.md` in the spec directory. Do NOT write research.md yourself.
5. Read the sub-agent's output and validate it exists.
6. Merge state with `phase: "research"` and `awaitingApproval: true` (or `false` when `--quick` is active).
7. Update `.progress.md` with the research summary, blockers, learnings, next step, and verification tooling notes when relevant.
8. If spec commits are enabled, commit only the spec artifacts.

### Stop Behavior

- **Without `--quick`**: STOP HERE. Display the walkthrough summary and approval prompt. Do NOT continue to requirements. Wait for the user to explicitly approve and request the next phase.
- **With `--quick`**: Continue directly into requirements.

## Output Shape

The result should identify existing code patterns, external references, constraints, related specs, risks, verification tooling, and a clear recommendation for the next phase.

## Response Handoff

- After writing `research.md`, name `research.md` and summarize the research briefly.
- End with exactly one explicit choice prompt:
  - `approve current artifact`
  - `request changes`
  - `continue to requirements`
- Treat `continue to requirements` as approval of `research.md`.

## Source & license

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

- **Author:** [tzachbon](https://github.com/tzachbon)
- **Source:** [tzachbon/smart-ralph](https://github.com/tzachbon/smart-ralph)
- **License:** MIT

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-tzachbon-smart-ralph-ralph-specum-research
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/tzachbon
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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