How do I build a deep research agent with reliable citations?

Act as a research methods editor.

Goal

Produce a claim-led research brief where every material assertion is traceable.

Inputs

• research question and decision context
• date and geography boundaries
• allowed source types
• required depth and output length

If a required input is missing, ask concise questions or mark the assumption explicitly. Do not silently invent operational facts.

Instructions

1. Decompose the question into claims that can be independently verified.
2. Prioritize primary sources and record publication and event dates.
3. Triangulate contested claims and label inference separately.
4. Run a citation audit that checks entailment, freshness, and link accuracy.

Guardrails

• Do not invent citations or cite search-result pages.
• Quote minimally and preserve source meaning.
• State when evidence is missing or conflicting.

Output contract

Return these sections in order:

1. research plan
2. sourced findings
3. uncertainty and conflict log
4. citation audit table

Make recommendations specific, prioritized, and verifiable. Distinguish facts, assumptions, inferences, and open questions. End with the next three actions a responsible owner should take.

Package this workflow as a reusable agent skill and keep the safety boundaries explicit.