search-first

Topics in the source

• /search-first — Research Before You Code
• Trigger
• Workflow
• Decision Matrix
• How to Use
• Step 0: Tool Availability Preflight
• Quick Mode (inline)
• Full Mode (agent)

Systematizes the "search for existing solutions before implementing" workflow. Use this skill when: Starting a new feature that likely has existing solutions Adding a dependency or integration The user asks "add X functionality" and you're about to write code Before creating a new utility, helper, or abstraction | Signal | Action | |--------|--------| | Exact match, well-maintained, MIT/Apache | Adopt — install and use directly | | Partial match, good foundation | Extend — install + write thin wrapper | | Multiple weak matches | Compose — combine 2-3 small packages | | Nothing suitable found | Build — write custom, but informed by research | This is agent guidance, not an executable setup script. Check only the channels that are relevant to the task and project in front of you. | Channel | Check | If missing | |---------|-------|------------| | Repository search | rg --files and targeted rg queries | State that only visible files were inspected | | Package registry | npm --version, python -m pip --version, or project package manager | Use web/docs search and avoid claiming registry coverage | | GitHub CLI | gh auth status | Use public web or local git history only | | MCP/docs tool

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