Problem
Ad hoc research prompts produced inconsistent depth and limited traceability.
Project Case Study
Research Agent
Agent system for topic decomposition, tool execution, and evidence-based synthesis.
PlannedTypeScriptNode.jsAWS Step FunctionsS3
Goal
Build an auditable workflow for repeatable research assistance.
Architecture Overview
System shape and flow
- Planner creates task graph from user objective
- Tools collect evidence from approved sources
- Synthesis stage compiles final report with citations
Key Features
- Task planning
- Tool allowlists
- Checkpoint approvals
Tradeoffs and Design Decisions
- Higher complexity than single-shot prompting
- Longer runtime for better reliability
Challenges
- Controlling tool sprawl
- Handling ambiguous user goals
Results and Lessons Learned
- Workflow map completed
- Tooling constraints and guardrails documented
Next Steps
- Implement planner and tool runner
- Add automatic contradiction detection