# Research Fortress Playbook
## Step-by-Step Guide to Multi-Agent Research

---

## Quick Start

1. **Identify the question** - What do you want to know?
2. **Decompose** - Break into 3-5 sub-questions
3. **Spawn agents** - Each sub-question gets an agent
4. **Wait** - Let agents complete (~2-5 minutes)
5. **Synthesize** - Merge results into answer
6. **Document** - Add to repository

---

## Detailed Workflow

### Step 1: Question Decomposition

Before spawning agents, decompose your question:

```
MAIN QUESTION: "What is the optimal team size for AI research?"

DECOMPOSE:
- Sub-question 1: What does research say about team size?
- Sub-question 2: What are the constraints (OpenClaw, etc.)?
- Sub-question 3: What experiments could we run?
- Sub-question 4: What does intuition say?
```

### Step 2: Agent Spawning

Use the spawn command:

```
/spawn agent:main
  label: research-{topic}
  task: {specific question}
  timeoutSeconds: 300
```

**Each agent should receive:**
- Clear question
- Location (where to write)
- Output format
- Deadline

### Step 3: Coordination

Agents coordinate via:
- **GitHub** - Push/pull results
- **File system** - Shared workspace
- **Main session** - Human coordinates

### Step 4: Synthesis

After agents complete:

1. Read all outputs
2. Identify common themes
3. Note disagreements
4. Form synthesis
5. Document findings

---

## Role Templates

### Researcher Agent
```
Task: Deep research on {topic}
Output: {location}/research-{topic}.md
Requirements:
- Find 3+ sources
- Summarize key findings
- Note gaps in research
```

### Writer Agent
```
Task: Synthesize research into coherent paper
Input: {location}/research-{topic}.md
Output: {location}/papers/{topic}.md
Requirements:
- 3000-5000 words
- Clear structure
- Proper citations
```

### Builder Agent
```
Task: Build experiment to test {hypothesis}
Output: {location}/experiments/{experiment}.py
Requirements:
- Runnable code
- Clear results
- Interpretation
```

### Reviewer Agent
```
Task: Review {paper} for accuracy
Output: Review notes
Requirements:
- Fact-check claims
- Identify gaps
- Suggest improvements
```

---

## Common Patterns

### Pattern 1: Single Paper
```
1 agent → 1 paper
Fastest, simplest
Use for: Quick exploration
```

### Pattern 2: Multi-Perspective
```
3 agents → 3 perspectives → 1 synthesis
Diverse viewpoints
Use for: Complex questions
```

### Pattern 3: Full Team
```
4-5 agents → Multiple papers → 1 project
Comprehensive
Use for: Major research initiatives
```

---

## Troubleshooting

### Agent Times Out
- Reduce scope of question
- Increase timeout
- Break into smaller pieces

### Agents Produce Contradictory Results
- Document both perspectives
- Research further
- Let human decide

### Quality Degrades
- Check agent prompts
- Add reviewer agent
- Reduce team size

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*Last updated: 2026-02-21*