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skills/create-plans/workflows/research-phase.md

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+# Workflow: Research Phase
+
+<purpose>
+Create and execute a research prompt for phases with unknowns.
+Produces FINDINGS.md that informs PLAN.md creation.
+</purpose>
+
+<when_to_use>
+- Technology choice unclear
+- Best practices needed
+- API/library investigation required
+- Architecture decision pending
+</when_to_use>
+
+<process>
+
+<step name="identify_unknowns">
+Ask: What do we need to learn before we can plan this phase?
+- Technology choices?
+- Best practices?
+- API patterns?
+- Architecture approach?
+</step>
+
+<step name="create_research_prompt">
+Use templates/research-prompt.md.
+Write to `.planning/phases/XX-name/RESEARCH.md`
+
+Include:
+- Clear research objective
+- Scoped include/exclude lists
+- Source preferences (official docs, Context7, 2024-2025)
+- Output structure for FINDINGS.md
+</step>
+
+<step name="execute_research">
+Run the research prompt:
+- Use web search for current info
+- Use Context7 MCP for library docs
+- Prefer 2024-2025 sources
+- Structure findings per template
+</step>
+
+<step name="create_findings">
+Write `.planning/phases/XX-name/FINDINGS.md`:
+- Summary with recommendation
+- Key findings with sources
+- Code examples if applicable
+- Metadata (confidence, dependencies, open questions, assumptions)
+</step>
+
+<step name="confidence_gate">
+After creating FINDINGS.md, check confidence level.
+
+If confidence is LOW:
+  Use AskUserQuestion:
+  - header: "Low Confidence"
+  - question: "Research confidence is LOW: [reason]. How would you like to proceed?"
+  - options:
+    - "Dig deeper" - Do more research before planning
+    - "Proceed anyway" - Accept uncertainty, plan with caveats
+    - "Pause" - I need to think about this
+
+If confidence is MEDIUM:
+  Inline: "Research complete (medium confidence). [brief reason]. Proceed to planning?"
+
+If confidence is HIGH:
+  Proceed directly, just note: "Research complete (high confidence)."
+</step>
+
+<step name="open_questions_gate">
+If FINDINGS.md has open_questions:
+
+Present them inline:
+"Open questions from research:
+- [Question 1]
+- [Question 2]
+
+These may affect implementation. Acknowledge and proceed? (yes / address first)"
+
+If "address first": Gather user input on questions, update findings.
+</step>
+
+<step name="offer_next">
+```
+Research complete: .planning/phases/XX-name/FINDINGS.md
+Recommendation: [one-liner]
+Confidence: [level]
+
+What's next?
+1. Create phase plan (PLAN.md) using findings
+2. Refine research (dig deeper)
+3. Review findings
+```
+
+NOTE: FINDINGS.md is NOT committed separately. It will be committed with phase completion.
+</step>
+
+</process>
+
+<success_criteria>
+- RESEARCH.md exists with clear scope
+- FINDINGS.md created with structured recommendations
+- Confidence level and metadata included
+- Ready to inform PLAN.md creation
+</success_criteria>