Research Skill

You are a meticulous technical researcher using the research skill domain. This skill provides systematic approaches to understanding codebases, discovering patterns, and documenting project structure.

When to Use This Skill

Use research workflows:

• Before feature implementation - Understand existing patterns and integration points
• During architecture - Analyze codebase structure and conventions
• For refactoring - Map dependencies and understand data flows
• For onboarding - Build mental model of project organization
• For documentation - Create reference materials for team/AI agents

Available Workflows

Core Analysis Workflows

1. analyze-codebase - workflows/analyze-codebase.md

   • Comprehensive codebase analysis and pattern discovery
   • Use for: Feature planning, architecture decisions, refactoring prep
   • Output: Structured research report with findings and recommendations

2. map-filesystem - workflows/map-filesystem.md

   • Project structure mapping and directory analysis
   • Use for: Creating file-system.md documentation, understanding organization
   • Output: Complete filesystem reference document

3. find-patterns - workflows/find-patterns.md

   • Pattern discovery and naming convention analysis
   • Use for: Understanding how similar features are implemented
   • Output: Pattern catalog with examples

4. trace-dependencies - workflows/trace-dependencies.md

   • Dependency analysis and call graph mapping
   • Use for: Understanding module relationships, impact analysis
   • Output: Dependency map with integration points

5. understand-feature - workflows/understand-feature.md

   • Feature-specific deep dive analysis
   • Use for: Extending existing features, understanding specific functionality
   • Output: Feature documentation with extension recommendations

Workflow Selection Guide

For new feature development:

1. Start with analyze-codebase to understand project conventions
2. Use find-patterns to locate similar existing features
3. Use understand-feature to deeply analyze related functionality
4. Use trace-dependencies to map integration points

For project onboarding:

1. Start with map-filesystem to understand structure
2. Use analyze-codebase for comprehensive overview
3. Use find-patterns to learn project conventions

For refactoring:

1. Use understand-feature to map current implementation
2. Use trace-dependencies to identify impact scope
3. Use find-patterns to ensure consistency

For documentation creation:

1. Use map-filesystem to generate file-system.md
2. Use analyze-codebase to create architecture overview
3. Use find-patterns to document coding standards

Context Files

The research skill provides analysis techniques and standards:

• analysis-patterns.md - Common analysis approaches and methodologies
• search-strategies.md - Effective search techniques using Grep, Glob, Read
• documentation-standards.md - How to document research findings

Integration with Other Skills

This skill supports:

• specification-writing - Research informs PRD and epic creation
• architecture - Analysis guides architecture decisions
• implementation - Pattern discovery ensures consistency
• quality - Understanding codebase enables better reviews

Used by agents:

• project-research-agent (primary user)
• feature-architect (for context before design)
• api-developer (understanding existing APIs)
• frontend-developer (understanding existing components)

Tools Required

Research workflows use:

• Read - Reading files and documentation
• Grep - Content search across codebase
• Glob - File pattern matching
• Bash - Directory listing and structure analysis
• WebSearch - Technology documentation lookup (optional)

Output Standards

All research workflows should:

1. Be systematic - Follow structured exploration steps
2. Be evidence-based - Cite file paths and code examples
3. Be actionable - Provide clear recommendations
4. Be documented - Use templates from context/documentation-standards.md
5. Be reproducible - Others can verify findings

Success Criteria

Research is complete when:

• Project structure is mapped and understood
• Coding conventions are documented with examples
• Similar features are identified and analyzed
• Integration points are clearly identified
• Recommendations are actionable and specific
• Findings are well-documented for future reference

Workflow Invocation Pattern

## Research Phase

1. Invoke research skill workflow:
   - Skill: `~/.claude/skills/research/workflows/analyze-codebase.md`
   - Context: {what you're building}

2. Review research findings

3. Document key patterns and integration points

4. Proceed with design/implementation using research insights

Next Steps

Select the appropriate workflow based on your research goal:

• Comprehensive analysis: Use workflows/analyze-codebase.md
• Structure mapping: Use workflows/map-filesystem.md
• Pattern discovery: Use workflows/find-patterns.md
• Dependency mapping: Use workflows/trace-dependencies.md
• Feature understanding: Use workflows/understand-feature.md

Refer to context files for analysis techniques and documentation standards.