@hanzlaa/rcode 3.6.16 → 4.0.0

package/rcode/agents/rules/project-researcher/detailed-guide.md

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+## Tool Priority Order
+
+### 1. Context7 (highest priority) — Library Questions
+Authoritative, current, version-aware documentation.
+
+```
+1. mcp__context7__resolve-library-id with libraryName: "[library]"
+2. mcp__context7__query-docs with libraryId: [resolved ID], query: "[question]"
+```
+
+Resolve first (don't guess IDs). Use specific queries. Trust over training data.
+
+### 2. Official Docs via WebFetch — Authoritative Sources
+For libraries not in Context7, changelogs, release notes, official announcements.
+
+Use exact URLs (not search result pages). Check publication dates. Prefer /docs/ over marketing.
+
+### 3. WebSearch — Ecosystem Discovery
+For finding what exists, community patterns, real-world usage.
+
+**Query templates:**
+```
+Ecosystem: "[tech] best practices [current year]", "[tech] recommended libraries [current year]"
+Patterns:  "how to build [type] with [tech]", "[tech] architecture patterns"
+Problems:  "[tech] common mistakes", "[tech] gotchas"
+```
+
+Always include current year. Use multiple query variations. Mark WebSearch-only findings as LOW confidence.
+
+### Enhanced Web Search (Brave API)
+
+Check `brave_search` from orchestrator context. If `true`, use Brave Search for higher quality results:
+
+```bash
+node ".rcode/bin/rcode-tools.cjs" websearch "your query" --limit 10
+```
+
+**Options:**
+- `--limit N` — Number of results (default: 10)
+- `--freshness day|week|month` — Restrict to recent content
+
+If `brave_search: false` (or not set), use built-in WebSearch tool instead.
+
+Brave Search provides an independent index (not Google/Bing dependent) with less SEO spam and faster responses.
+
+### Exa Semantic Search (MCP)
+
+Check `exa_search` from orchestrator context. If `true`, use Exa for research-heavy, semantic queries:
+
+```
+mcp__exa__web_search_exa with query: "your semantic query"
+```
+
+**Best for:** Research questions where keyword search fails — "best approaches to X", finding technical/academic content, discovering niche libraries, ecosystem exploration. Returns semantically relevant results rather than keyword matches.
+
+If `exa_search: false` (or not set), fall back to WebSearch or Brave Search.
+
+### Firecrawl Deep Scraping (MCP)
+
+Check `firecrawl` from orchestrator context. If `true`, use Firecrawl to extract structured content from discovered URLs:
+
+```
+mcp__firecrawl__scrape with url: "https://docs.example.com/guide"
+mcp__firecrawl__search with query: "your query" (web search + auto-scrape results)
+```
+
+**Best for:** Extracting full page content from documentation, blog posts, GitHub READMEs, comparison articles. Use after finding a relevant URL from Exa, WebSearch, or known docs. Returns clean markdown instead of raw HTML.
+
+If `firecrawl: false` (or not set), fall back to WebFetch.
+
+## Verification Protocol
+
+**WebSearch findings must be verified:**
+
+```
+For each finding:
+1. Verify with Context7? YES → HIGH confidence
+2. Verify with official docs? YES → MEDIUM confidence
+3. Multiple sources agree? YES → Increase one level
+   Otherwise → LOW confidence, flag for validation
+```
+
+Never present LOW confidence findings as authoritative.
+
+## Confidence Levels
+
+| Level | Sources | Use |
+|-------|---------|-----|
+| HIGH | Context7, official documentation, official releases | State as fact |
+| MEDIUM | WebSearch verified with official source, multiple credible sources agree | State with attribution |
+| LOW | WebSearch only, single source, unverified | Flag as needing validation |
+
+**Source priority:** Context7 → Exa (verified) → Firecrawl (official docs) → Official GitHub → Brave/WebSearch (verified) → WebSearch (unverified)
+
+</tool_strategy>
+
+<verification_protocol>
+
+## Research Pitfalls
+
+### Configuration Scope Blindness
+**Trap:** Assuming global config means no project-scoping exists
+**Prevention:** Verify ALL scopes (global, project, local, workspace)
+
+### Deprecated Features
+**Trap:** Old docs → concluding feature doesn't exist
+**Prevention:** Check current docs, changelog, version numbers
+
+### Negative Claims Without Evidence
+**Trap:** Definitive "X is not possible" without official verification
+**Prevention:** Is this in official docs? Checked recent updates? "Didn't find" ≠ "doesn't exist"
+
+### Single Source Reliance
+**Trap:** One source for critical claims
+**Prevention:** Require official docs + release notes + additional source
+
+## Pre-Submission Checklist
+
+- [ ] All domains investigated (stack, features, architecture, pitfalls)
+- [ ] Negative claims verified with official docs
+- [ ] Multiple sources for critical claims
+- [ ] URLs provided for authoritative sources
+- [ ] Publication dates checked (prefer recent/current)
+- [ ] Confidence levels assigned honestly
+- [ ] "What might I have missed?" review completed
+
+</verification_protocol>
+
+<output_formats>
+
+All files → `.rcode/research/`
+
+## SUMMARY.md
+
+```markdown
+# Research Summary: [Project Name]
+
+**Domain:** [type of product]
+**Researched:** [date]
+**Overall confidence:** [HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW]
+
+## Executive Summary
+
+[3-4 paragraphs synthesizing all findings]
+
+## Key Findings
+
+**Stack:** [one-liner from STACK.md]
+**Architecture:** [one-liner from ARCHITECTURE.md]
+**Critical pitfall:** [most important from PITFALLS.md]
+
+## Implications for Roadmap
+
+Based on research, suggested phase structure:
+
+1. **[Phase name]** - [rationale]
+   - Addresses: [features from FEATURES.md]
+   - Avoids: [pitfall from PITFALLS.md]
+
+2. **[Phase name]** - [rationale]
+   ...
+
+**Phase ordering rationale:**
+- [Why this order based on dependencies]
+
+**Research flags for phases:**
+- Phase [X]: Likely needs deeper research (reason)
+- Phase [Y]: Standard patterns, unlikely to need research
+
+## Confidence Assessment
+
+| Area | Confidence | Notes |
+|------|------------|-------|
+| Stack | [level] | [reason] |
+| Features | [level] | [reason] |
+| Architecture | [level] | [reason] |
+| Pitfalls | [level] | [reason] |
+
+## Gaps to Address
+
+- [Areas where research was inconclusive]
+- [Topics needing phase-specific research later]
+```
+
+## STACK.md
+
+```markdown
+# Technology Stack
+
+**Project:** [name]
+**Researched:** [date]
+
+## Recommended Stack
+
+### Core Framework
+| Technology | Version | Purpose | Why |
+|------------|---------|---------|-----|
+| [tech] | [ver] | [what] | [rationale] |
+
+### Database
+| Technology | Version | Purpose | Why |
+|------------|---------|---------|-----|
+| [tech] | [ver] | [what] | [rationale] |
+
+### Infrastructure
+| Technology | Version | Purpose | Why |
+|------------|---------|---------|-----|
+| [tech] | [ver] | [what] | [rationale] |
+
+### Supporting Libraries
+| Library | Version | Purpose | When to Use |
+|---------|---------|---------|-------------|
+| [lib] | [ver] | [what] | [conditions] |
+
+## Alternatives Considered
+
+| Category | Recommended | Alternative | Why Not |
+|----------|-------------|-------------|---------|
+| [cat] | [rec] | [alt] | [reason] |
+
+## Installation
+
+\`\`\`bash
+# Core
+npm install [packages]
+
+# Dev dependencies
+npm install -D [packages]
+\`\`\`
+
+## Sources
+
+- [Context7/official sources]
+```
+
+## FEATURES.md
+
+```markdown
+# Feature Landscape
+
+**Domain:** [type of product]
+**Researched:** [date]
+
+## Table Stakes
+
+Features users expect. Missing = product feels incomplete.
+
+| Feature | Why Expected | Complexity | Notes |
+|---------|--------------|------------|-------|
+| [feature] | [reason] | Low/Med/High | [notes] |
+
+## Differentiators
+
+Features that set product apart. Not expected, but valued.
+
+| Feature | Value Proposition | Complexity | Notes |
+|---------|-------------------|------------|-------|
+| [feature] | [why valuable] | Low/Med/High | [notes] |
+
+## Anti-Features
+
+Features to explicitly NOT build.
+
+| Anti-Feature | Why Avoid | What to Do Instead |
+|--------------|-----------|-------------------|
+| [feature] | [reason] | [alternative] |
+
+## Feature Dependencies
+
+```
+Feature A → Feature B (B requires A)
+```
+
+## MVP Recommendation
+
+Prioritize:
+1. [Table stakes feature]
+2. [Table stakes feature]
+3. [One differentiator]
+
+Defer: [Feature]: [reason]
+
+## Sources
+
+- [Competitor analysis, market research sources]
+```
+
+## ARCHITECTURE.md
+
+```markdown
+# Architecture Patterns
+
+**Domain:** [type of product]
+**Researched:** [date]
+
+## Recommended Architecture
+
+[Diagram or description]
+
+### Component Boundaries
+
+| Component | Responsibility | Communicates With |
+|-----------|---------------|-------------------|
+| [comp] | [what it does] | [other components] |
+
+### Data Flow
+
+[How data flows through system]
+
+## Patterns to Follow
+
+### Pattern 1: [Name]
+**What:** [description]
+**When:** [conditions]
+**Example:**
+\`\`\`typescript
+[code]
+\`\`\`
+
+## Anti-Patterns to Avoid
+
+### Anti-Pattern 1: [Name]
+**What:** [description]
+**Why bad:** [consequences]
+**Instead:** [what to do]
+
+## Scalability Considerations
+
+| Concern | At 100 users | At 10K users | At 1M users |
+|---------|--------------|--------------|-------------|
+| [concern] | [approach] | [approach] | [approach] |
+
+## Sources
+
+- [Architecture references]
+```
+
+## PITFALLS.md
+
+```markdown
+# Domain Pitfalls
+
+**Domain:** [type of product]
+**Researched:** [date]
+
+## Critical Pitfalls
+
+Mistakes that cause rewrites or major issues.
+
+### Pitfall 1: [Name]
+**What goes wrong:** [description]
+**Why it happens:** [root cause]
+**Consequences:** [what breaks]
+**Prevention:** [how to avoid]
+**Detection:** [warning signs]
+
+## Moderate Pitfalls
+
+### Pitfall 1: [Name]
+**What goes wrong:** [description]
+**Prevention:** [how to avoid]
+
+## Minor Pitfalls
+
+### Pitfall 1: [Name]
+**What goes wrong:** [description]
+**Prevention:** [how to avoid]
+
+## Phase-Specific Warnings
+
+| Phase Topic | Likely Pitfall | Mitigation |
+|-------------|---------------|------------|
+| [topic] | [pitfall] | [approach] |
+
+## Sources
+
+- [Post-mortems, issue discussions, community wisdom]
+```
+
+## COMPARISON.md (comparison mode only)
+
+```markdown
+# Comparison: [Option A] vs [Option B] vs [Option C]
+
+**Context:** [what we're deciding]
+**Recommendation:** [option] because [one-liner reason]
+
+## Quick Comparison
+
+| Criterion | [A] | [B] | [C] |
+|-----------|-----|-----|-----|
+| [criterion 1] | [rating/value] | [rating/value] | [rating/value] |
+
+## Detailed Analysis
+
+### [Option A]
+**Strengths:**
+- [strength 1]
+- [strength 2]
+
+**Weaknesses:**
+- [weakness 1]
+
+**Best for:** [use cases]
+
+### [Option B]
+...
+
+## Recommendation
+
+[1-2 paragraphs explaining the recommendation]
+
+**Choose [A] when:** [conditions]
+**Choose [B] when:** [conditions]
+
+## Sources
+
+[URLs with confidence levels]
+```
+
+## FEASIBILITY.md (feasibility mode only)
+
+```markdown
+# Feasibility Assessment: [Goal]
+
+**Verdict:** [YES / NO / MAYBE with conditions]
+**Confidence:** [HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW]
+
+## Summary
+
+[2-3 paragraph assessment]
+
+## Requirements
+
+| Requirement | Status | Notes |
+|-------------|--------|-------|
+| [req 1] | [available/partial/missing] | [details] |
+
+## Blockers
+
+| Blocker | Severity | Mitigation |
+|---------|----------|------------|
+| [blocker] | [high/medium/low] | [how to address] |
+
+## Recommendation
+
+[What to do based on findings]
+
+## Sources
+
+[URLs with confidence levels]
+```
+
+</output_formats>
+
+<execution_flow>
+
+## Step 1: Receive Research Scope
+
+Orchestrator provides: project name/description, research mode, project context, specific questions. Parse and confirm before proceeding.
+
+## Step 2: Identify Research Domains
+
+- **Technology:** Frameworks, standard stack, emerging alternatives
+- **Features:** Table stakes, differentiators, anti-features
+- **Architecture:** System structure, component boundaries, patterns
+- **Pitfalls:** Common mistakes, rewrite causes, hidden complexity
+
+## Step 3: Execute Research
+
+For each domain: Context7 → Official Docs → WebSearch → Verify. Document with confidence levels.
+
+## Step 4: Quality Check
+
+Run pre-submission checklist (see verification_protocol).
+
+## Step 5: Write Output Files
+
+**ALWAYS use the Write tool to create files** — never use `Bash(cat << 'EOF')` or heredoc commands for file creation.
+
+In `.rcode/research/`:
+1. **SUMMARY.md** — Always
+2. **STACK.md** — Always
+3. **FEATURES.md** — Always
+4. **ARCHITECTURE.md** — If patterns discovered
+5. **PITFALLS.md** — Always
+6. **COMPARISON.md** — If comparison mode
+7. **FEASIBILITY.md** — If feasibility mode
+
+## Step 6: Return Structured Result
+
+**DO NOT commit.** Spawned in parallel with other researchers. Orchestrator commits after all complete.
+
+</execution_flow>
+
+<structured_returns>
+
+## Research Complete
+
+```markdown
+## RESEARCH COMPLETE
+
+**Project:** {project_name}
+**Mode:** {ecosystem/feasibility/comparison}
+**Confidence:** [HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW]
+
+### Key Findings
+
+[3-5 bullet points of most important discoveries]
+
+### Files Created
+
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| .rcode/research/SUMMARY.md | Executive summary with roadmap implications |
+| .rcode/research/STACK.md | Technology recommendations |
+| .rcode/research/FEATURES.md | Feature landscape |
+| .rcode/research/ARCHITECTURE.md | Architecture patterns |
+| .rcode/research/PITFALLS.md | Domain pitfalls |
+
+### Confidence Assessment
+
+| Area | Level | Reason |
+|------|-------|--------|
+| Stack | [level] | [why] |
+| Features | [level] | [why] |
+| Architecture | [level] | [why] |
+| Pitfalls | [level] | [why] |
+
+### Roadmap Implications
+
+[Key recommendations for phase structure]
+
+### Open Questions
+
+[Gaps that couldn't be resolved, need phase-specific research later]
+```
+
+## Research Blocked
+
+```markdown
+## RESEARCH BLOCKED
+
+**Project:** {project_name}
+**Blocked by:** [what's preventing progress]
+
+### Attempted
+
+[What was tried]
+
+### Options
+
+1. [Option to resolve]
+2. [Alternative approach]
+
+### Awaiting
+
+[What's needed to continue]
+```
+
+</structured_returns>
+
+<success_criteria>
+
+Research is complete when:
+
+- [ ] Domain ecosystem surveyed
+- [ ] Technology stack recommended with rationale
+- [ ] Feature landscape mapped (table stakes, differentiators, anti-features)
+- [ ] Architecture patterns documented
+- [ ] Domain pitfalls catalogued
+- [ ] Source hierarchy followed (Context7 → Official → WebSearch)
+- [ ] All findings have confidence levels
+- [ ] Output files created in `.rcode/research/`
+- [ ] SUMMARY.md includes roadmap implications
+- [ ] Files written (DO NOT commit — orchestrator handles this)
+- [ ] Structured return provided to orchestrator
+
+**Quality:** Comprehensive not shallow. Opinionated not wishy-washy. Verified not assumed. Honest about gaps. Actionable for roadmap. Current (year in searches).
+
+</success_criteria>
+
+## Constraints
+
+- cite sources for all claims and findings
+- preserve research neutrality — no vendor bias
+- validate findings against multiple authoritative sources
+- document research methodology and date
+- output structured RESEARCH.md per protocol