/research-brainstorm

Research Brainstorm Skill

Description

Generates and cross-validates research ideas using Gemini and Codex in parallel, then synthesizes results with Claude.

Usage

/research-brainstorm "research topic" [--domain physics|ai_ml|statistics|mathematics|paper] [--weights '{"novelty":0.4,...}'|adaptive] [--depth low|medium|high|max|auto] [--personas N] [--claude-only] [--substitute "Gemini -> Opus"]

Arguments

• `$ARGUMENTS` — The research topic and optional flags:
• `--domain` — Research domain (physics, ai_ml, statistics, mathematics, paper). Auto-inferred if omitted.
• `--weights` — Scoring mode for finding ranking:
• **Omitted (default — holistic mode)**: Claude ranks findings based on its own expert judgment, with detailed rationale for each ranking position. No numeric dimension weights are used.
• **JSON object** (e.g., `'{"novelty":0.4,"feasibility":0.2,"impact":0.2,"rigor":0.1,"scalability":0.1}'`): Weighted scoring — dimensions `novelty`, `feasibility`, `impact`, `rigor`, `scalability` with values summing to 1.0.
• **`adaptive`**: Claude analyzes the prompt, adjusts domain defaults, and asks for user confirmation before scoring (see Step 0c).
• `--depth` — Controls review depth (default: `medium`):
• `low` — Skip cross-review, go directly to synthesis
• `medium` — Standard one-shot cross-review (current behavior)
• `high` — Cross-review + evidence anchoring + adversarial debate round
• `max` — Hierarchical MAGI-in-MAGI: N persona subagents run parallel mini-MAGI pipelines, then meta-review + evidence anchoring + adversarial debate across all perspectives
• `auto` — Adaptive depth: starts as medium, auto-escalates to high or deep based on cross-review disagreement signals (see T12)
• `--personas N|auto` — Number of domain-specialist subagents for `--depth max` (default: `auto`, range: 2-4). When `auto`, Claude analyzes the topic to determine the optimal persona count. Ignored for other depth levels.
• `--claude-only` — Replace all Gemini/Codex MCP calls with Claude Agent subagents. Use when external model endpoints are unavailable or for a Claude-only workflow. Two subagents with distinct cognitive styles (Creative-Divergent and Analytical-Convergent) ensure perspective diversity.
• `--substitute "Agent -> Opus"` — Replace a specific MAGI agent with a Claude (Opus) subagent. Accepted forms: `"Gemini -> Opus"`, `"Codex -> Opus"`. Can be specified multiple times. Use when a specific model hits rate limits but other models are still available. The substituted agent uses the same cognitive style mapping as `--claude-only` mode. If both agents are substituted, functionally equivalent to `--claude-only`. Mutually exclusive with `--claude-only` (if both provided, `--claude-only` takes precedence).

Instructions

MCP Tool Rules

• **Gemini**: Use the following model fallback chain. Try each model in order; if a call fails (error, timeout, or model-not-found), retry with the next model:

1. `model: "gemini-3.1-pro-preview"` (preferred) 2. `model: "gemini-2.5-pro"` (fallback) 3. Claude Opus subagent (last resort — skip Gemini MCP tool, spawn an Agent subagent with T1-CD cognitive style, same as `--substitute "Gemini -> Opus"`)

• **Codex**: Use `model: "gpt-5.4"` for all Codex MCP calls. Use `mcp__codex-cli__brainstorm` for ideation, `mcp__codex-cli__ask-codex` for analysis/review. If Codex fails 2+ times, fall back to a Claude Opus subagent with T1-AC cognitive style (same as `--substitute "Codex -> Opus"`).
• **File References**: Use `@filepath` in the prompt parameter to pass saved artifacts (e.g., `@brainstorm/codex_ideas.md`)

instead of pasting file content inline. The CLI tools read files directly, preventing context truncation.

• **Web Search**: Use web search freely whenever factual verification, recent developments, or literature context would strengthen the discussion:
• **Claude**: Use the `WebSearch` tool directly
• **Gemini**: Add `search: true` to `mcp__gemini-cli__ask-gemini` or `mcp__gemini-cli__brainstorm` calls
• **Codex**: Add `search: true` to `mcp__codex-cli__ask-codex` or `mcp__codex-cli__brainstorm` calls
• **When to search**: prior work verification, methodological precedents, dataset/library availability, related approaches, fact-checking quantitative claims
• **Claude-only mode**: Claude Agent subagents cannot use WebSearch. The main Claude agent should search beforehand and include findings in the subagent prompt.

Claude-Only Mode

When `--claude-only` is active, **all** Gemini/Codex MCP tool calls are replaced with Claude Agent subagents (`subagent_type: general-purpose`). The table below maps each original call to its replacement:

| Original Call | Replacement | Cognitive Style | |---|---|---| | `mcp__gemini-cli__brainstorm` | Agent subagent A | **Creative-Divergent**: unconventional connections, "What if?" scenarios, wide exploration, questioning assumptions | | `mcp__codex-cli__brainstorm` | Agent subagent B | **Analytical-Convergent**: step-by-step feasibility, established methodologies, deep evaluation, practical constraints, risk assessment | | `mcp__gemini-cli__ask-gemini` | Agent subagent A | Same Creative-Divergent style | | `mcp__codex-cli__ask-codex` | Agent subagent B | Same Analytical-Convergent style |

**Key rules for claude-only mode:** 1. **File access**: Subagents use the `Read` tool to access files (no `@filepath` syntax). 2. **Output filenames**: Keep original names (`gemini_ideas.md`, `codex_ideas.md`, etc.) — add a header `> Source: Claude Agent subagent (claude-only mode, {style})` to each output file. 3. **Independence**: Both subagents are spawned simultaneously so neither can see the other's output. 4. **`--depth max` internal subagents**: Within each persona's mini-MAGI pipeline, use **Expansive Explorer** (replaces Gemini) and **Grounded Builder** (replaces Codex) cognitive styles to maintain internal diversity.

Agent Substitution (`--substitut