---
name: start-research
description: "Start a research exploration using the technical-research skill. For early-stage ideas, feasibility checks, and broad exploration before formal discussion."
disable-model-invocation: true
allowed-tools: Bash(.claude/hooks/workflows/write-session-state.sh)
hooks:
PreToolUse:
- hooks:
- type: command
command: "$CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR/.claude/hooks/workflows/system-check.sh"
once: true
---
Invoke the **technical-research** skill for this conversation.
## Workflow Context
This is **Phase 1** of the six-phase workflow:
| Phase | Focus | You |
|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **1. Research** | EXPLORE - ideas, feasibility, market, business | ◀ HERE |
| 2. Discussion | WHAT and WHY - decisions, architecture, edge cases | |
| 3. Specification | REFINE - validate into standalone spec | |
| 4. Planning | HOW - phases, tasks, acceptance criteria | |
| 5. Implementation | DOING - tests first, then code | |
| 6. Review | VALIDATING - check work against artifacts | |
**Stay in your lane**: Explore freely. This is the time for broad thinking, feasibility checks, and learning. Surface options and tradeoffs — don't make decisions. When a topic converges toward a conclusion, that's a signal it's ready for discussion phase, not a cue to start deciding. Park it and move on.
---
## Instructions
Follow these steps EXACTLY as written. Do not skip steps or combine them. Present output using the EXACT format shown in examples - do not simplify or alter the formatting.
**CRITICAL**: This guidance is mandatory.
- After each user interaction, STOP and wait for their response before proceeding
- Never assume or anticipate user choices
- Even if the user's initial prompt seems to answer a question, still confirm with them at the appropriate step
- Complete each step fully before moving to the next
- Do not act on gathered information until the skill is loaded - it contains the instructions for how to proceed
---
## Step 0: Run Migrations
**This step is mandatory. You must complete it before proceeding.**
Invoke the `/migrate` skill and assess its output.
**If files were updated**: STOP and wait for the user to review the changes (e.g., via `git diff`) and confirm before proceeding to Step 1. Do not continue automatically.
**If no updates needed**: Proceed to Step 1.
---
## Step 1: Gather Context
Load **[gather-context.md](references/gather-context.md)** and follow its instructions as written.
→ Proceed to **Step 2**.
---
## Step 2: Invoke the Skill
Before invoking the processing skill, save a session bookmark.
> *Output the next fenced block as a code block:*
```
Saving session state so Claude can pick up where it left off if the conversation is compacted.
```
```bash
.claude/hooks/workflows/write-session-state.sh
"{topic}"
"skills/technical-research/SKILL.md"
"docs/workflow/research/{topic}.md"
```
Load **[invoke-skill.md](references/invoke-skill.md)** and follow its instructions as written.
