Structured web research framework for AI agents. Teaches your agent to conduct multi-source research, synthesize findings into actionable briefs, maintain a...
By The Agent Ledger — Subscribe for more agent skills and premium blueprints.
Turn your AI agent into a structured research analyst. No more copy-pasting search results — your agent learns to plan research, cross-reference sources, synthesize findings, and maintain an evolving knowledge base.
research/
├── README.md ← Library index (auto-maintained)
├── briefs/ ← Completed research briefs
├── monitoring/ ← Topics being tracked over time
└── templates/ ← Custom research templates (optional)
research/README.md# Research Library
## Recent Briefs
<!-- Agent maintains this list automatically -->
## Monitored Topics
<!-- Topics being tracked with periodic updates -->
## Quick Stats
- Total briefs: 0
- Active monitors: 0
- Last research: never
Add to your AGENTS.md, SOUL.md, or system prompt:
## Research Protocol
When asked to research something:
1. Read `research/README.md` for existing work on this topic
2. Follow the Research Protocol below
3. Save the brief to `research/briefs/YYYY-MM-DD-<slug>.md`
4. Update `research/README.md` index
Before searching, define:
Execute searches with these principles:
Score each source on:
| Factor | Weight | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | High | Known publication? Expert author? Official source? |
| Recency | High | Published within relevant timeframe? |
| Specificity | Medium | Concrete data/examples vs. vague claims? |
| Corroboration | Medium | Do other sources confirm this? |
| Bias Check | Low | Obvious commercial or political motivation? |
Drop sources scoring poorly on Authority + Recency. Flag but keep sources with clear bias if they contain unique data.
Structure findings into a Research Brief (see format below). Key rules:
Save to research/briefs/YYYY-MM-DD-<slug>.md and update the library index.
# [Research Question]
**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Requested by:** [context]
**Confidence:** High / Medium / Low
**Staleness risk:** [when this research might become outdated]
## TL;DR
[2-3 sentence executive summary with the key finding]
## Key Findings
### Finding 1: [Title]
[Detail with supporting evidence]
- Source: [name] ([link]) — [date]
- Confidence: High/Medium/Low
### Finding 2: [Title]
[Detail with supporting evidence]
- Source: [name] ([link]) — [date]
- Confidence: High/Medium/Low
[Continue as needed]
## Data Points
| Metric | Value | Source | Date |
|--------|-------|--------|------|
| [key stat] | [value] | [source] | [date] |
## Contradictions & Caveats
- [Any conflicting information found]
- [Limitations of this research]
## Knowledge Gaps
- [What we couldn't find]
- [What needs deeper investigation]
## Sources
1. [Full citation with URL and access date]
2. [...]
## Recommendations
- [Actionable next steps based on findings]
---
*Research conducted by AI agent using the Research Assistant skill by [The Agent Ledger](https://theagentledger.com)*
For topics that evolve over time (market trends, competitor moves, regulatory changes):
Create research/monitoring/<topic-slug>.md:
# Monitoring: [Topic Name]
**Started:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Frequency:** [daily / weekly / bi-weekly]
**Search queries:**
- "[query 1]"
- "[query 2]"
**Alert triggers:** [what constitutes a notable change]
## Updates
### YYYY-MM-DD
- [What changed since last check]
- [New data points]
- [Assessment: significant / minor / no change]
When running a monitoring check:
Add to your HEARTBEAT.md or set up a cron:
## Research Monitors
Check research/monitoring/ for topics due for refresh.
Only check topics whose frequency interval has elapsed.
# Competitor Analysis: [Company/Product]
**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
## Overview
| Factor | Competitor | Us |
|--------|-----------|-----|
| Pricing | | |
| Features | | |
| Market position | | |
| Strengths | | |
| Weaknesses | | |
## Their Recent Moves
- [Latest product launches, pivots, funding]
## Opportunities
- [Gaps we can exploit]
## Threats
- [Where they're ahead]
# Market Analysis: [Market Name]
**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
## Market Size
- **TAM:** $X ([source])
- **SAM:** $X ([source])
- **SOM:** $X (our estimate)
- **Growth rate:** X% CAGR ([source])
## Key Players
| Player | Est. Share | Notes |
|--------|-----------|-------|
| | | |
## Trends
1. [Trend + supporting evidence]
## Entry Barriers
- [What makes this hard]
## Our Angle
- [How we'd compete]
# Decision: [What we're deciding]
**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Decision needed by:** YYYY-MM-DD
## Options
### Option A: [Name]
- **Pros:**
- **Cons:**
- **Cost:**
- **Risk level:** High/Medium/Low
### Option B: [Name]
- **Pros:**
- **Cons:**
- **Cost:**
- **Risk level:** High/Medium/Low
## Recommendation
[Which option and why]
## What would change our mind
[Conditions that would flip the recommendation]
Add to your agent instructions:
Research depth levels:
- **Quick scan** — 3-5 sources, 5 minutes, key facts only
- **Standard brief** — 8-12 sources, full brief format
- **Deep dive** — 15+ sources, include academic/primary sources, extended analysis
Default to standard unless specified.
For specialized fields, add context:
When researching [your domain]:
- Prioritize sources from: [trusted sources list]
- Key metrics to always check: [domain-specific KPIs]
- Common pitfalls: [domain-specific biases to watch for]
Citation preference: [choose one]
- Inline links (default) — [Source Name](url)
- Numbered footnotes — [1], [2], etc.
- Academic — Author (Year). Title. Publication.
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Research is too surface-level | Increase depth level; add "find primary sources" to prompt |
| Too many sources, no synthesis | Emphasize Phase 4; ask for "TL;DR first, then details" |
| Findings are outdated | Add recency filter: "only sources from last 6 months" |
| Agent dumps raw search results | Reinforce the brief format; remind to synthesize, not copy |
| Monitor checks too frequent | Adjust frequency in monitor file; use staleness risk to guide |
| Research library getting messy | Run periodic cleanup: archive briefs older than 6 months |
Part of the free skill library by The Agent Ledger. Subscribe for premium blueprints, playbooks, and the complete agent configuration guide.
License: CC-BY-NC-4.0
DISCLAIMER: This skill was created by an AI agent. It is provided "as is" for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, financial, legal, or technical advice. Review all generated files before use. The Agent Ledger assumes no liability for outcomes resulting from use. Use at your own risk.
ZIP package — ready to use