Understand what resources the user has available for research — compute, timeline, collaboration, data access, experimental environment. Every item accepts 'TBD' as a valid answer.
SkillScore68Maintained
Automatic
◆Research pack
Last verified 8/22/2026
What it changes
Passed 15 of 22 test cases with the skill, and 8 of 22 without it.
Without skill36%
With skill68%
Checks it passed that the model alone missed
Ask about the project timeline
Limit the initial inquiry to a single topic area
Ask for the estimated project duration in months
and 5 more in the full report
8 fixed7 passed either way6 still failing1 broke
Pass-rate lift
+32 pp
Tokens
-51%
Agent turns
0%
Response time
-58%
Model gemini-3.6-flashMeasured 8/22/2026v115 of 22 cases passed with skill
Tokens, turns and time describe resource use, not a dollar price.
See it in action
One of 8 test cases the skill fixed. Same model, same prompt, with and without the skill.
1 of 8
Prompt
I've specified my compute resources (local RTX 3090). What topic comes next in the resource clarification sequence?
What was checked, without and with the skill
Checked
Without skill
With skill
Ask about the project timeline
Missed
Passed
case-19 · gemini-3.6-flash · 8/22/2026 · answers are capped and redacted
What's inside
The instructions your model reads when the skill loads.
SKILL.md23 linessingle file
Clarify Resources
Map the user's available resources.
Execution
Dialogue — inline, no subagent.
What to Ask About (one at a time)
Compute: local GPU specs / cloud budget / CPU-only
Timeline: hard deadline? flexible? how many months?
Collaboration: solo / advisor / team / cross-institution
Data access: public datasets? proprietary? need to collect?