---
name: research
description: "Invoke the full Research Agent Max dual-system loop on a research question. Runs RAM (producer) -> Evaluator (auditor) -> bounded reopen loop until converged (PASS) or escalated (ESCALATED). Emits a final artifact combining RAM output, Evaluator audit, loop history, and convergence verdict."
---

# /research

## Usage

```
/research <natural-language research question>
```

## Purpose

Entry point for a full dual-system research run. This command is the ONLY sanctioned way to start a `top-level-loop` invocation. It routes the question through the coordinator, which in turn sequences RAM Router and Evaluator Router through the bounded reopen loop.

## Behavior

1. Coordinator validates Charter parameters (reopen ceiling N, dwell-time floor, composite-trigger spec, escalation receiver ID). If any missing -> halt with `EC-CHARTER-MISSING`. Never default internally.
2. Coordinator requests a Frame Registry entry from Frame Divergence Gate (E8). If frames converged -> emit `ESCALATED` (reason: `frame_convergence`) BEFORE any RAM cycle.
3. Coordinator runs the loop per `LOOP_STATE_MACHINE.md`:
   - INIT -> RAM -> EVALUATOR -> DECIDE -> {RAM | TERMINAL-PASS | TERMINAL-ESCALATED}.
   - Reopen loops bounded by `N=3` default (Charter-amendable).
   - Dwell floor enforced between reopens.
   - Composite trigger (P4 AND P5 AND >=2 of P1/P2/P3) required for any REOPEN.
   - Ceremonial-reopen detection via Self-Audit Resistance Monitor (E9).
4. Coordinator emits the final artifact per `FINAL_ARTIFACT_SCHEMA.md`, plus a companion `source-page.txt` -- a naked list of the kept (accepted) sources' links, one per line, copy-paste-ready into a notebook -- and returns to the operator.

## Discipline

- Verdict tokens (REOPEN | PASS | PASS-DEFERRED | ESCALATED) are architectural commands. RAM cannot veto.
- Runtime self-calibration of thresholds is forbidden; Charter amendment is the only channel.
- Zero-overlap between RAM substate and Evaluator substate is preserved through every cycle.
- Every invocation ends in exactly one TERMINAL state.

## Exit Codes / Terminal States

| Terminal | Meaning | Next Action |
|---|---|---|
| `PASS` | Converged; Evaluator ratified RAM output after composite-trigger evaluation. | Consume final artifact; copy `source-page.txt` links into your notebook. |
| `ESCALATED` | Bound exceeded, sub-dwell cap, P4 novelty fail, ceremonial override, frame convergence, isolation alarm, operator abort, or enforcement-surface degradation. | Human reviewer disposition via Charter channel. |

## Related Commands

- `/research-status` -- mid-run loop state query.
- `/research-abort` -- operator-initiated escalation.

## See Also

- `SKILL.md` for full coordinator specification.
- `LOOP_STATE_MACHINE.md` for state transitions.
- `FINAL_ARTIFACT_SCHEMA.md` for output format.
