research

Research external libraries and APIs to produce evidence-backed integration plans.

7|4|Updated Mar 2, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/nklisch/skills --skill research-nklisch
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: research
Source: https://github.com/nklisch/skills/tree/main/plugins/workflow/skills/research
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/nklisch/skills --skill research-nklisch

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Helps teams and agents systematically evaluate external libraries, APIs, SDKs, and architectural patterns so design and implementation decisions are evidence-based and low-risk.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Structured Investigation: Defines research questions, scopes investigations, and verifies API surfaces against official documentation and real-world examples.
  • Health and Fit Evaluation: Assesses maintenance activity, release cadence, license compatibility, ecosystem traction, and runtime/build integration concerns.
  • Deliverables for Automation: Produces a research document with code examples and an auto-loading reference skill that future agents use for accurate integration patterns.
  • Use Case: Choose between competing HTTP client libraries, verify breaking changes when upgrading a framework, or confirm a cloud SDK's compatibility with your build/runtime.

Quick Start

Run the research skill to evaluate candidate libraries, produce a research document with recommendations, and generate an auto-loading reference skill for the chosen technology.

Frequently Asked Questions about research

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I evaluate external libraries and SDKs for integration into my software project?

Evaluating external libraries and SDKs requires verifying API surfaces against official documentation, assessing maintenance health and release cadence, and checking licensing compatibility constraints to produce an evidence-backed integration plan. This structured investigation confirms runtime and build system compatibility for low-risk technology selection.

What is the best way to verify breaking changes when upgrading a framework or API?

Verifying breaking changes during a framework upgrade involves checking the new API surfaces against existing integration patterns and assessing migration impacts. A structured research assessment identifies viable options and compatibility constraints, producing a reference skill for future agents to ensure accurate implementation.

How do I assess the maintenance health and ecosystem traction of a dependency?

Assessing dependency maintenance health involves evaluating release cadence, ecosystem traction, and overall maintenance activity. A thorough library evaluation checks these factors alongside licensing constraints to confirm that the chosen API or SDK remains actively supported and viable for long-term integration.

Can I use this research approach to confirm a cloud SDK's compatibility with my runtime?

Yes, confirming a cloud SDK's compatibility with your runtime involves verifying its API surfaces and checking compatibility constraints across different build systems. The research process produces code examples and an auto-loading reference skill to guide future agents in accurate integration pattern implementation.

What limitations should I consider when choosing between competing HTTP client libraries?

Choosing between competing HTTP client libraries requires considering limitations in licensing compatibility, runtime integration constraints, and ecosystem traction. A structured investigation identifies these constraints by verifying API surfaces and maintenance health, ensuring the selected library aligns with your specific build system and long-term project requirements.