SDD Research Skill

Investigate codebase patterns and external solutions to inform specification and planning.

When to Use

• Technical approach is unclear
• Need to understand existing patterns
• Evaluating solution options
• Before /specify or /plan commands
• When sdd-explorer findings need deeper analysis

Research Protocol

Phase 1: Codebase Analysis

1. Existing patterns: How similar problems are solved
2. Reusable components: What can be leveraged
3. Conventions: Naming, structure, architecture patterns
4. Dependencies: What libraries/frameworks are used

Phase 2: External Solutions

1. Best practices: Industry standards for this problem
2. Library options: Available tools and their tradeoffs
3. Architecture patterns: Applicable design patterns
4. Reference implementations: Similar solutions elsewhere

Phase 3: Synthesis

1. Compare options: Pros/cons matrix
2. Recommend approach: Based on findings
3. Flag risks: Technical concerns and unknowns
4. Document assumptions: What needs validation

Research Output Format

# Research: [Topic]

## Summary
[1-2 sentence overview of findings]

## Codebase Analysis

### Existing Patterns
| Pattern | Location | Relevance |
|---------|----------|-----------|
| [pattern] | [file/dir] | [how it applies] |

### Reusable Components
- [component]: [how to leverage]

### Conventions
- [convention type]: [standard used]

## External Solutions

### Option 1: [Name]
- **Pros**: [advantages]
- **Cons**: [disadvantages]
- **Effort**: [estimate]

### Option 2: [Name]
- **Pros**: [advantages]
- **Cons**: [disadvantages]
- **Effort**: [estimate]

## Comparison Matrix

| Criteria | Option 1 | Option 2 |
|----------|----------|----------|
| [criteria] | [score] | [score] |

## Recommendation
[Recommended approach with rationale]

## Risks & Unknowns
- [risk]: [mitigation]

## Next Steps
1. [action item]

Reference Patterns

See references/patterns.md for common architectural patterns and when to use them.

Integration

• Findings feed into /specify command
• Informs sdd-planner subagent decisions
• Can be invoked by sdd-explorer for deeper analysis
• Use the ask question tool when research reveals multiple valid approaches