search-first

Search npm, PyPI, MCP servers, GitHub, and Claude Skills for existing tools before coding.

7|Updated Mar 4, 2026

Search Tags:#workflow #research #integration #libraries #tooling #evaluation

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/Davie521/claude-skills --skill search-first-davie521

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: search-first
Source: https://github.com/Davie521/claude-skills/tree/main/plugins/research/skills/search-first
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Davie521/claude-skills --skill search-first-davie521

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Systematizes the search-for-existing-solutions workflow to prevent reinventing the wheel.

Core Features & Use Cases

Parallel search across npm/PyPI, MCP servers, GitHub repositories, and Claude Skills to surface existing tools, libraries, and patterns.
Structured evaluation with a decision matrix to determine whether to Adopt, Extend, Compose, or Build.
Clear integration guidance and guardrails to apply research findings in feature design and project planning.

Quick Start

Before coding, run the researcher agent to identify existing tools and libraries for the requested feature.

Frequently Asked Questions about search-first

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I find existing libraries before writing new code?▼

To find existing libraries before writing new code, perform a parallel search across npm, PyPI, GitHub, and MCP servers to surface tools and patterns, then evaluate candidates using a structured decision matrix to avoid reinventing solutions.

What's the best way to evaluate whether to adopt, extend, or build a dependency?▼

The best way to evaluate whether to adopt, extend, or build a dependency is to apply a structured decision matrix to search results, scoring candidates on integration fit, feature coverage, and guardrails for your JavaScript, Python, or web stack.

How does parallel search for existing tools work across different package managers?▼

Parallel search for existing tools queries npm, PyPI, GitHub repositories, and Claude Skills simultaneously, surfacing libraries and patterns that match your feature requirements to prevent redundant development work.

Can I use this research workflow for both Python and JavaScript feature design?▼

Yes, you can use this research workflow for Python and JavaScript feature design, as the structured search and evaluation process explicitly supports identifying existing integrations and patterns across JavaScript, Python, and web stacks.

When should I not use existing libraries and build my own solution instead?▼

You should build your own solution instead of using existing libraries when the decision matrix indicates that available tools lack required features, integration guardrails are too restrictive, or composition overhead exceeds the effort of a custom build.

How do I integrate existing GitHub repositories into my current project planning?▼

To integrate existing GitHub repositories into project planning, use the recommended actions from the evaluation phase to apply research findings, mapping integration points and setting guardrails during feature design and dependency addition.