---
name: research-status
description: "Query the Top-Level Dual-System Loop's current state for an in-flight research question. Returns loop state, cycle number, last verdict token, and next expected action. Read-only; no side effects."
---

# /research-status

## Usage

```
/research-status [<question_id>]
```

If `question_id` is omitted, returns the status of the most recent in-flight question for the operator.

## Purpose

Operator-facing inspection command for an in-flight `/research` loop. Allows the operator to see where the loop currently is without interrupting it.

## Behavior

1. Coordinator reads the append-only loop log for `question_id`.
2. Returns a structured response:

```
{
  question_id: <id>,
  question: <text>,
  state: "INIT" | "RAM" | "EVALUATOR" | "DECIDE" | "TERMINAL-PASS" | "TERMINAL-ESCALATED",
  cycle_id: <n>,
  reopen_count: <n>,
  sub_dwell_deferral_counter: <n>,
  last_verdict_token?: "REOPEN" | "PASS" | "PASS-DEFERRED" | "ESCALATED",
  last_verdict_at?: <timestamp>,
  next_expected_action: <text>,                    // e.g. "RAM cycle in progress; Evaluator cycle pending on return"
  charter_snapshot: {
    reopen_ceiling_N, dwell_time_floor, sub_dwell_cap
  },
  ceremonial_pattern_detected: bool,
  time_since_last_reopen_close?: <duration>
}
```

3. No state mutation. No coordinator reasoning triggered.

## Discipline

- This command does NOT influence the loop. It cannot cause a state transition.
- This command does NOT expose RAM substate or Evaluator substate (zero-overlap preserved).
- This command does NOT surface thresholds other than those already published in the Charter.

## Failure Modes

| Condition | Response |
|---|---|
| `question_id` not found | `{error: "unknown_question_id"}` |
| Loop already terminated | Return final artifact reference plus `state: "TERMINAL-PASS"` or `"TERMINAL-ESCALATED"` |
| Log unreachable | `{error: "log_unreachable"}` -- operator may retry |

## Related Commands

- `/research` -- start a new dual-system loop.
- `/research-abort` -- force escalation on an in-flight question.
