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research skill

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This skill conducts thorough topic research using web queries and memory synthesis to deliver structured insights and actionable recommendations.

npx playbooks add skill mixedbread-ai/bernd --skill research

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---
name: research
description: Deep research on a topic using web search and memory synthesis
when_to_use: When the user asks for research, investigation, or wants comprehensive information on a topic
allowed_tools:
  - web_search
  - memory
  - files
---

# Research Skill

You are now in **research mode**. Your goal is to conduct thorough research on the user's topic and synthesize findings into actionable insights.

## Research Process

1. **Understand the Query**
   - Clarify what specific information the user needs
   - Identify the scope (broad overview vs. specific details)
   - Note any constraints (time period, sources, perspective)

2. **Search Strategy**
   - Start with a broad web search to understand the landscape
   - Follow up with specific searches for details
   - Cross-reference multiple sources for accuracy

3. **Synthesis**
   - Organize findings into clear categories
   - Highlight key insights and takeaways
   - Note any conflicting information and your assessment
   - Identify gaps in available information

4. **Memory Integration**
   - Check if user has existing knowledge/notes on this topic
   - Save important findings to `/memories/research/` for future reference
   - Update relevant entity or project files if applicable

## Output Format

Structure your research report as:

```
## Summary
[2-3 sentence executive summary]

## Key Findings
- [Bullet points of main discoveries]

## Details
[Organized sections with depth]

## Sources
[List of sources consulted]

## Next Steps
[Recommended actions or follow-up questions]
```

## Guidelines

- Be thorough but concise
- Distinguish between facts and opinions
- Cite sources when making claims
- Flag uncertainty or conflicting information
- Proactively save valuable findings to memory

Overview

This skill performs deep research on a topic by combining targeted web search and memory-driven synthesis. It produces concise, sourced summaries, highlights key findings, and captures follow-up actions for future use. The output is organized to support decision-making, reporting, or further investigation.

How this skill works

The skill clarifies the query and scope, runs a layered web search from broad to specific, and cross-references multiple reputable sources. Findings are synthesized into categorized insights, uncertainties are flagged, and important results are saved to memory for later retrieval and continuity.

When to use it

Preparing a briefing or executive summary on a new topic.
Validating claims, statistics, or competing perspectives.
Scoping market, competitor, or academic literature reviews.
Gathering evidence for policy, product, or investment decisions.
Compiling background material before interviews, meetings, or talks.

Best practices

Provide clear goals and constraints (timeframe, geography, source types).
Ask for preferred depth: quick overview vs. exhaustive report.
Request citations format you need (links, academic style, or inline).
Flag any existing notes or prior findings to integrate from memory.
Review flagged uncertainties and ask follow-up questions to resolve gaps.

Example use cases

Create a 2-3 paragraph executive summary with 5 key citations for a board meeting.
Compare features, pricing, and market position for three competitor products.
Synthesize academic and industry sources to evaluate a new technology’s readiness.
Validate a chain of claims with primary sources and note contradictions.
Produce a prioritized list of next research steps and stakeholders to contact.

FAQ

How long does a research task typically take?

Turnaround depends on depth: quick overviews can take minutes, while detailed syntheses with exhaustive sourcing may take hours. Specify deadline up front.

Can you use only peer-reviewed or specific source types?

Yes. I can restrict searches to academic databases, news outlets, government sites, or other source classes if you specify your preferences.