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notion-research-documentation skill

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This skill gathers Notion sources, synthesizes findings, and produces cited briefs or reports tailored to user goals.

npx playbooks add skill openai/skills --skill notion-research-documentation

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SKILL.md
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---
name: notion-research-documentation
description: Research across Notion and synthesize into structured documentation; use when gathering info from multiple Notion sources to produce briefs, comparisons, or reports with citations.
metadata:
  short-description: Research Notion content and produce briefs/reports
---

# Research & Documentation

Pull relevant Notion pages, synthesize findings, and publish clear briefs or reports (with citations and links to sources).

## Quick start
1) Find sources with `Notion:notion-search` using targeted queries; confirm scope with the user.
2) Fetch pages via `Notion:notion-fetch`; note key sections and capture citations (`reference/citations.md`).
3) Choose output format (brief, summary, comparison, comprehensive report) using `reference/format-selection-guide.md`.
4) Draft in Notion with `Notion:notion-create-pages` using the matching template (quick, summary, comparison, comprehensive).
5) Link sources and add a references/citations section; update as new info arrives with `Notion:notion-update-page`.

## Workflow
### 0) If any MCP call fails because Notion MCP is not connected, pause and set it up:
1. Add the Notion MCP:
   - `codex mcp add notion --url https://mcp.notion.com/mcp`
2. Enable remote MCP client:
   - Set `[features].rmcp_client = true` in `config.toml` **or** run `codex --enable rmcp_client`
3. Log in with OAuth:
   - `codex mcp login notion`

After successful login, the user will have to restart codex. You should finish your answer and tell them so when they try again they can continue with Step 1.

### 1) Gather sources
- Search first (`Notion:notion-search`); refine queries, and ask the user to confirm if multiple results appear.
- Fetch relevant pages (`Notion:notion-fetch`), skim for facts, metrics, claims, constraints, and dates.
- Track each source URL/ID for later citation; prefer direct quotes for critical facts.

### 2) Select the format
- Quick readout → quick brief.
- Single-topic dive → research summary.
- Option tradeoffs → comparison.
- Deep dive / exec-ready → comprehensive report.
- See `reference/format-selection-guide.md` for when to pick each.

### 3) Synthesize
- Outline before writing; group findings by themes/questions.
- Note evidence with source IDs; flag gaps or contradictions.
- Keep user goal in view (decision, summary, plan, recommendation).

### 4) Create the doc
- Pick the matching template in `reference/` (brief, summary, comparison, comprehensive) and adapt it.
- Create the page with `Notion:notion-create-pages`; include title, summary, key findings, supporting evidence, and recommendations/next steps when relevant.
- Add citations inline and a references section; link back to source pages.

### 5) Finalize & handoff
- Add highlights, risks, and open questions.
- If the user needs follow-ups, create tasks or a checklist in the page; link any task database entries if applicable.
- Share a short changelog or status using `Notion:notion-update-page` when updating.

## References and examples
- `reference/` — search tactics, format selection, templates, and citation rules (e.g., `advanced-search.md`, `format-selection-guide.md`, `research-summary-template.md`, `comparison-template.md`, `citations.md`).
- `examples/` — end-to-end walkthroughs (e.g., `competitor-analysis.md`, `technical-investigation.md`, `market-research.md`, `trip-planning.md`).

Overview

This skill helps you research across multiple Notion pages, synthesize findings, and publish structured documentation with clear citations and links. It streamlines source discovery, evidence extraction, and document creation so you can produce briefs, comparisons, summaries, or comprehensive reports. Use it when you need consolidated, evidence-backed outputs from scattered Notion content.

How this skill works

Start by searching Notion for relevant pages and confirm the scope with the user. Fetch and skim pages to capture facts, dates, metrics, and claims, tracking each page ID/URL for citations. Choose an output format (brief, summary, comparison, comprehensive), draft the document using a matching template, and create or update a Notion page with inline citations and a references section. Flag gaps, contradictions, and next steps, and optionally create follow-up tasks in Notion.

When to use it

  • Gathering evidence from multiple Notion databases for a decision or proposal.
  • Producing a competitive comparison or option tradeoff analysis from internal notes.
  • Creating an executive summary or comprehensive report from scattered research pages.
  • Compiling meeting outputs, project briefs, or onboarding documentation from Notion.
  • Maintaining an updated research dossier that links back to original source pages.

Best practices

  • Search first and confirm sources with the user before deep fetching to avoid scope creep.
  • Track each source URL/ID and prefer direct quotes for critical facts to preserve fidelity.
  • Outline by themes or questions before drafting to ensure coherent synthesis.
  • Pick the template that matches the user’s goal and adapt it rather than inventing structure.
  • Include inline citations and a references section, and create follow-up tasks for outstanding questions.

Example use cases

  • Compile a one-page brief summarizing product research scattered across Notion workspaces.
  • Create a comparison report that weighs pros/cons of vendor proposals documented in Notion.
  • Produce an executive-ready comprehensive report with evidence and recommendations for stakeholders.
  • Turn meeting notes and technical pages into a consolidated research summary with citations.
  • Maintain a living research dossier that updates as source pages change and log a changelog.

FAQ

What if the Notion connector isn’t configured?

Pause and instruct the user to add and log into the Notion MCP, enable the remote MCP client, then restart the app before continuing.

How do you decide which document format to use?

Select based on the user goal: quick readout → brief, single-topic deep dive → summary, tradeoffs → comparison, executive-ready → comprehensive report.