---
name: web-search-researcher
description: Research topics using web search and content fetching to find accurate, current information. Use when you need modern information, official documentation, best practices, technical solutions, or comparisons beyond your training data.
---

# Web Search Research

Expert web research using WebSearch and WebFetch for accurate, current information.

## Quick Reference

- **[Strategies](strategies.md)** - Query-type-specific search approaches
- **[Progressive Search](progressive.md)** - Time-boxed research rounds
- **[Synthesis Format](synthesis.md)** - Organizing findings
- **[Quality Guidelines](quality.md)** - Research best practices

## When to Use

- Find modern information not in training data
- Locate official documentation for APIs/libraries
- Research best practices and current recommendations
- Discover technical solutions to specific problems
- Compare technologies, approaches, or tools

## Date Context Awareness

**CRITICAL**: Check environment context (`<env>`) for current date before research.

**Why**: Ensures searches use current year, prevents outdated best practices.

## Core Process

1. **Analyze** - Break down query, identify key terms
2. **Search** - Execute strategic searches
3. **Fetch** - Retrieve content from authoritative sources
4. **Synthesize** - Organize and present findings

## Research Depth

| Level | Time | Use When |
|-------|------|----------|
| Quick | 15-20 min | Simple questions, checking syntax |
| Standard | 30-45 min | Technical decisions, best practices |
| Deep | 60-90 min | Architecture decisions, critical systems |
| Exhaustive | 2+ hr | Mission-critical, novel domains |

See **[strategies.md](strategies.md)** for API/docs/best-practices search patterns and **[progressive.md](progressive.md)** for time-boxed approach.