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Research
by
BrennerSpear
· GitHub ↗
· v1.1.0
4981
Downloads
0
Stars
28
Active Installs
2
Versions
Install in OpenClaw
/install parallel-ai-research
Description
Conduct open-ended research on a topic, building a living markdown document. Supports interactive and deep research modes.
Usage Guidance
Use the interactive note-taking part only if you are comfortable with research prompts and findings being saved locally. Before enabling deep research or PDF export, verify the actual parallel-research and export-pdf scripts from a trusted source, avoid system-wide symlinks unless needed, prefer a safer uv install method than curl | sh, and use a scoped or revocable Parallel AI API key.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill
Name: parallel-ai-research
Version: 1.1.0
The skill is classified as suspicious due to a significant shell injection vulnerability. Instructions in `SKILL.md` and `OPENCLAW.md` direct the OpenClaw agent to execute external CLI tools like `parallel-research` and `export-pdf` with arguments derived from user input (e.g., 'research question', 'topic-slug', 'run_id'). Without robust input sanitization by the agent or platform, these commands are susceptible to arbitrary command execution. Additionally, `SETUP.md` instructs users to install a dependency via `curl | sh`, which carries a supply chain risk, though this is a setup instruction for the user, not a runtime action by the agent.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
The stated purpose, creating persistent research notes and optionally using Parallel AI for deep research, matches the runtime instructions.
Instruction Scope
The skill asks the agent to search, fetch sources, write research files, export PDFs, and optionally schedule follow-up checks; these are mostly disclosed and purpose-aligned, but activation language is broad for a workflow that writes persistent files.
Install Mechanism
SETUP.md instructs users to symlink parallel-research and export-pdf from a scripts directory, but the reviewed artifact contains only markdown files and no scripts, leaving the actual commands absent or unreviewed. It also includes a curl-to-sh uv install step.
Credentials
Deep research requires PARALLEL_API_KEY and sends research prompts to Parallel AI; this fits the feature but should be treated as external provider and account access.
Persistence & Privilege
The skill intentionally stores prompts, notes, reports, and PDFs under ~/.openclaw/workspace/research and can schedule future cron-based agent turns to poll results. This is disclosed, but persistent storage plus delayed agent activity needs clear user control.
How to Use
- Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
- Run the install command in chat:
/install parallel-ai-research - After installation, invoke the skill by name or use
/parallel-ai-research - Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v1.1.0
Updated from agent-skills repo
v1.0.0
Initial release of the research skill for open-ended, structured investigations.
- Supports interactive (real-time) and deep (async, Parallel AI-powered) research modes.
- Automatically creates organized research folders with prompt, findings, and exportable PDF.
- Guides workflow: questioning, note-taking, synthesis checkpoints, and completion/archival.
- Includes robust command triggers (new, deep, export PDF, show, graduate, archive).
- Emphasizes documentation best practices: source linking, context, and uncertainty notes.
Metadata
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Research?
Conduct open-ended research on a topic, building a living markdown document. Supports interactive and deep research modes. It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 4981 downloads so far.
How do I install Research?
Run "/install parallel-ai-research" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.
Is Research free?
Yes, Research is completely free (open-source). You can download, install and use it at no cost.
Which platforms does Research support?
Research is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).
Who created Research?
It is built and maintained by BrennerSpear (@brennerspear); the current version is v1.1.0.
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