---
name: technical-research
description: Use before implementation when an unfamiliar or changing technology, API, standard, or technical trade-off needs current evidence. Prefer primary sources; do not use for repository-only code discovery.
---

# Technical Research

Use before implementation when an unfamiliar technology, API, current product behavior, or technical trade-off could change the solution.

## Workflow

1. Turn the implementation question into specific facts or decisions that need evidence.
2. Prefer current primary sources: official product documentation, standards, release notes, or the original research. Check version and date when behavior may have changed.
3. Compare only viable options against the user's constraints, compatibility needs, security properties, and maintenance cost.
4. Separate source-backed facts from interpretation. Record assumptions and any material evidence that is missing or conflicting.
5. Recommend an option only when evidence supports it. Explain the deciding trade-off briefly.

Return concise findings with direct sources and an implementation-relevant conclusion. Do not implement the change.