external-context_skill

Overview

This skill invokes parallel document-specialist agents to collect external web documentation and references for a given topic or question. It decomposes queries into focused search facets, runs independent web searches in parallel, and synthesizes results into structured, citeable context. The outcome is a concise, source-backed summary you can use inside a team workflow.

How this skill works

Given a user query, the skill splits it into 2–5 independent search facets that cover distinct aspects of the topic. It then spawns document-specialist agents in parallel, each using web search and fetch tools to gather official docs, examples, and blog posts. When all agents finish, the skill aggregates findings, extracts key takeaways with source citations, and returns a structured report with detailed facet-level results and a consolidated source list.

When to use it

• Researching best practices or patterns with up-to-date web sources
• Comparing libraries, frameworks, or tools with external documentation and benchmarks
• Gathering examples and authoritative guides for implementation questions
• Preparing technical summaries or references for team knowledge sharing
• Validating claims by collecting primary source citations

Best practices

• Be specific in the original query so facets target independent, non-overlapping areas
• Limit scope to a few focused facets (2–5) to keep searches precise and reviewable
• Require agents to cite all sources with URLs for traceability
• Use the synthesized report as a starting point; inspect individual facet results before final decisions
• Invoke explicitly — the skill runs only when called to avoid accidental web fetching

Example use cases

• Ask for best practices and citations for token rotation in Node.js to support a security design doc
• Compare two ORMs for PostgreSQL with links to benchmarks, docs, and migration guides
• Collect implementation patterns and official guidance for React Server Components
• Produce a short, sourced briefing on a third-party API before integration work
• Gather regulatory or standards references when drafting compliance notes