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.