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gh-cipherstash-cipherpowers…/skills/creating-research-packages/SKILL.md
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---
name: Creating Research Packages
description: Document complex domain knowledge as self-contained packages with multiple reading paths
when_to_use: when documenting complex research topics, domain knowledge requiring multiple reading paths, technical deep dives that need verification tracking
version: 1.0.0
---
# Creating Research Packages
## Overview
Bundle complex domain knowledge into self-contained modules with multiple entry points for different time budgets and reader roles.
**Announce at start:** "I'm using the creating-research-packages skill to document this domain knowledge."
## When to Use
- Documenting complex research findings
- Creating domain knowledge packages (physics, algorithms, APIs)
- Building self-contained documentation that can be shared independently
- Topics requiring multiple reading paths (quick overview vs deep dive)
- Knowledge that needs verification tracking
## The Process
### Step 1: Identify the Package Scope
Determine what knowledge should be packaged:
- What is the core topic?
- What are the sub-topics?
- Who are the readers? (roles, time budgets)
- What verification is needed?
### Step 2: Create Directory Structure
```bash
mkdir -p docs/[topic]
```
Standard package structure:
```
[topic]/
├── 00-START-HERE.md # Entry point + verification status
├── README.md # Package overview + TL;DR
├── how-to-use-this.md # Detailed navigation guide
├── [core-topic-1].md # Main research content
├── [core-topic-2].md # Additional research
├── design-decisions.md # Why decisions were made
├── QUICK-REFERENCE.md # One-page summary
├── VERIFICATION-REVIEW.md # Accuracy audit
└── examples/ # Working examples (if applicable)
```
### Step 3: Write Entry Point (00-START-HERE.md)
Include:
- Verification status with visual indicators
- Time budget options (5 min, 20 min, 2 hours)
- Quick navigation to key documents
- Prerequisites if any
```markdown
# [Topic]: Start Here
**Status:** ✅ Verified | **Last Updated:** YYYY-MM-DD
## Choose Your Path
| Time | Goal | Start With |
|------|------|------------|
| 5 min | Quick overview | [TL;DR section in README] |
| 20 min | Understand context | [README + design-decisions] |
| 2 hours | Full understanding | [All documents in sequence] |
```
### Step 4: Write README with TL;DR
The README is the package overview:
- TL;DR section (2-3 sentences, the essential insight)
- Reading paths by time budget
- Role-based paths
- Package contents overview
- Key concepts with links to details
**Use template:** `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}templates/research-package-template.md`
### Step 5: Write Navigation Guide (how-to-use-this.md)
Detailed guide for different readers:
- Role-based paths with reading orders
- Time estimates for each path
- Key takeaways for each role
- Cross-references between documents
### Step 6: Write Core Content
For each topic document:
- Clear scope statement
- Structured content with headers
- Visual aids where helpful (diagrams, tables)
- Cross-references to related docs
- Verification notes if applicable
### Step 7: Create Quick Reference
One-page summary for rapid lookup:
- Key formulas/constants
- Common commands
- Quick diagnosis table
- Status icons legend
**Use template:** `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}templates/quick-reference-template.md`
### Step 8: Add Verification Tracking
If accuracy is critical:
- Create VERIFICATION-REVIEW.md
- Track what was verified and when
- Note discrepancies found
- Link to authoritative sources
- Include recommended updates
### Step 9: Verify Package Completeness
Checklist:
- [ ] 00-START-HERE.md has clear navigation
- [ ] README has TL;DR that captures essence
- [ ] Reading paths cover different time budgets
- [ ] Role-based paths for different readers
- [ ] QUICK-REFERENCE is truly one page
- [ ] All cross-references work
- [ ] Verification status current
## Checklist
- [ ] Package scope clearly defined
- [ ] Directory structure created
- [ ] Entry point (00-START-HERE) written
- [ ] README with TL;DR written
- [ ] Navigation guide written
- [ ] Core content documents written
- [ ] Quick reference created
- [ ] Verification tracking if needed
- [ ] All internal links verified
## Anti-Patterns
**Don't:**
- Create packages for simple topics (overkill)
- Skip the TL;DR (readers need quick overview)
- Omit time estimates (readers can't plan)
- Ignore verification for critical knowledge
- Make QUICK-REFERENCE more than one page
**Do:**
- Keep TL;DR to 2-3 sentences
- Provide multiple entry points
- Track verification for technical accuracy
- Cross-reference liberally
- Test navigation with fresh eyes
## Related Skills
- **Organizing documentation:** `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}skills/organizing-documentation/SKILL.md`
- **Documenting debugging workflows:** `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}skills/documenting-debugging-workflows/SKILL.md`
- **Creating quality gates:** `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}skills/creating-quality-gates/SKILL.md`
## References
- Standards: `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}standards/documentation-structure.md`
- Template: `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}templates/research-package-template.md`
- Quick Reference Template: `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}templates/quick-reference-template.md`