# Agent Skills Research - Complete Index

**Research Topic:** Agent Skill Loading and Assignment in Multi-Agent Systems
**Date Completed:** 2026-01-22 (ET)
**Status:** Complete - Ready for Review

---

## Quick Start

**Start here based on your role:**

### 👔 For Architects/Leadership

1. Read: `RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md` (5 min overview)
2. Review: `SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md` Part 3 (Recommendations)
3. Decide: Which P1-P5 recommendations to implement
4. Plan: Implementation roadmap and team assignment

### 💻 For Developers

1. Skim: `SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md` (understand problem)
2. Study: `IMPLEMENTATION_PATTERNS.md` (code templates)
3. Reference: `COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md` (technical decisions)
4. Start: Implementation based on team priority vote

### 🔍 For Researchers/Technical Reviewers

1. Read: `SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md` (comprehensive findings)
2. Review: `COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md` (framework comparison)
3. Check: Academic references (8 papers cited)
4. Validate: Recommendations against research evidence

### 📚 For General Audience

1. Start: `README.md` (friendly overview)
2. Skim: `SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md` summary sections
3. Browse: `COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md` framework table

---

## Document Map

### 1. RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md

**Location:** `/home/william/git/nexus-agents/RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md`
**Length:** ~500 lines
**Purpose:** Executive summary of entire research

**Contains:**

- Research overview
- Key findings summary
- P1-P5 recommendations at-a-glance
- Framework comparison matrix
- Implementation roadmap
- Timeline estimates
- Risk assessment

**Best for:** Executives, team leads, decision makers

---

### 2. README.md (Agent Skills)

**Location:** `/home/william/git/nexus-agents/docs/research/topics/agent-skills/README.md`
**Length:** ~300 lines
**Purpose:** Navigation hub and quick reference

**Contains:**

- Quick navigation by role
- Research summary (1-sentence per finding)
- Key findings (strengths/gaps)
- Related research papers
- Implementation recommendations overview
- For developers quick links
- For users guide
- Status and next steps

**Best for:** First-time readers, quick reference

---

### 3. SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md (MAIN)

**Location:** `/home/william/git/nexus-agents/docs/research/topics/agent-skills/SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md`
**Length:** ~3,500 lines
**Purpose:** Comprehensive research findings

**Part 1: Research Findings (1,500 lines)**

- 1.1 Static vs Dynamic Skill Assignment
  - Current nexus-agents implementation analysis
  - Hybrid recommendation (static + dynamic)
- 1.2 Role-Based Skill Assignment Patterns
  - Current nexus-agents role structure
  - Role hierarchy enhancement proposal
- 1.3 Task-Driven Skill Discovery
  - Current expert-selector architecture
  - MCP-Zero pattern alignment
  - Capability gap detection proposal
- 1.4 Skill Dependency Management
  - CASCADE framework findings
  - Dependency DAG proposal
  - Implementation patterns
- 1.5 Framework Comparison
  - Matrix: nexus-agents vs SOTA frameworks

**Part 2: Nexus-Agents Analysis (1,500 lines)**

- 2.1 Expert Selector Design
  - Architecture diagram
  - Scoring algorithm
  - Strengths and opportunities
- 2.2 Custom Expert Loading
  - Pattern and validation model
  - Configuration format
  - Security model
- 2.3 Expert List Command
  - Data flow
  - Output formats
  - Example usage

**Part 3: Recommendations (1,000 lines)**

- P1: Skill Dependency Graph
  - Problem statement
  - Implementation approach
  - Benefit analysis
- P2: Semantic Capability Matching
  - Problem statement
  - MCP-Zero pattern
  - Implementation approach
- P3: Capability Gap Detection
  - Problem and solution
  - Gap reporting structure
  - User experience flow
- P4: Role Hierarchy Formalization
  - Current flat structure
  - Hierarchy levels
  - Configuration format
- P5: Documentation - Skills Mapping
  - Capability registry
  - Documentation schema

**Part 4-7: Additional Sections**

- Implementation Roadmap (Phases 1-4)
- Decision Matrix
- Evaluation Criteria
- Related Research
- Conclusion

**Best for:** Complete understanding, implementation planning, decision support

---

### 4. COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md

**Location:** `/home/william/git/nexus-agents/docs/research/topics/agent-skills/COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md`
**Length:** ~2,200 lines
**Purpose:** Compare nexus-agents with other frameworks

**Sections:**

1. **Framework Comparison** (1,200 lines)
   - nexus-agents: Task-driven dynamic routing
   - ATLAS: Dual-path cluster + RL routing
   - EvoRoute: Pareto-optimized multi-objective
   - MCP-Zero: Capability-gap-first approach
   - AutoGen: Registry-based with decorators
   - Side-by-side feature matrix
   - When each excels

2. **Detailed Scoring Comparison** (300 lines)
   - nexus-agents algorithm (linear)
   - TOPSIS alternative (multi-criteria)
   - Tradeoff analysis

3. **Capability Matching Strategies** (300 lines)
   - Exact matching (current)
   - Semantic similarity (proposed)
   - Hierarchical tags (hybrid)
   - Recommendation pathway

4. **Dependency Resolution Patterns** (300 lines)
   - Linear prerequisites
   - Sequential dependencies
   - Hierarchical dependencies
   - nexus-agents support level
   - Recommendations

5. **Implementation Complexity** (200 lines)
   - Lines of code comparison
   - External dependencies
   - Training requirements
   - Debugging difficulty

6. **Recommendations** (100 lines)
   - Short term (keep current)
   - Medium term (add enhancements)
   - Long term (evaluate alternatives)

**Best for:** Technical decisions, framework selection, competitive analysis

---

### 5. IMPLEMENTATION_PATTERNS.md

**Location:** `/home/william/git/nexus-agents/docs/research/topics/agent-skills/IMPLEMENTATION_PATTERNS.md`
**Length:** ~2,300 lines
**Purpose:** Code templates and patterns for all 5 recommendations

**For Each Recommendation (P1-P5):**

- Type Definition Pattern
- Validation Pattern
- Core Algorithm Pattern
- Integration Pattern
- Configuration Example Pattern
- Testing Patterns

**Specific Content:**

1. **P1: Skill Dependency Graph** (400 lines)
   - SkillDependency types
   - Zod schemas
   - Cycle detection algorithm
   - Chain resolution algorithm
   - YAML configuration
   - Integration into expert-selector

2. **P2: Semantic Matching** (400 lines)
   - Levenshtein similarity function
   - SemanticMatch types
   - Scoring function
   - Cache implementation
   - Weight updates
   - Performance considerations

3. **P3: Gap Detection** (300 lines)
   - CapabilityGap types
   - Gap analysis algorithm
   - Suggestion generation
   - User-facing formatting
   - Integration into SelectionResult

4. **P4: Role Hierarchy** (300 lines)
   - RoleHierarchy types
   - Hierarchy filtering
   - Role-based scoring
   - Configuration examples
   - Integration points

5. **P5: Capability Documentation** (200 lines)
   - Capability registry schema
   - YAML structure
   - Registry class implementation
   - Discovery patterns

6. **Additional Content** (400 lines)
   - Complete integration example
   - Testing patterns (unit + integration)
   - Implementation checklist

**Best for:** Implementation team, developers, code templates

---

## Document Usage Guide

### By Question

**Q: What are the main findings?**
→ RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md (findings section) or SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md (Part 1)

**Q: What should we implement and why?**
→ RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md (recommendations) or SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md (Part 3)

**Q: How do we implement P1-P5?**
→ IMPLEMENTATION_PATTERNS.md (code templates)

**Q: How does this compare to other frameworks?**
→ COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md (complete comparison)

**Q: What's the current nexus-agents architecture?**
→ SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md (Part 2)

**Q: What academic evidence supports this?**
→ SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md (Part 7 - Related Research)

**Q: What's the timeline?**
→ RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md (timeline section)

**Q: What are the risks?**
→ RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md (risk assessment) or SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md (Part 3)

---

## Key Statistics

### Research Scope

- **Lines of Content:** 8,000+
- **Academic Papers Reviewed:** 8 (2024-2026)
- **Frameworks Analyzed:** 5 (nexus-agents, ATLAS, EvoRoute, MCP-Zero, AutoGen)
- **Code Examples:** 50+
- **Implementation Patterns:** 5 (P1-P5)

### Recommendations

- **Total Recommendations:** 5 (P1-P5)
- **High Priority:** 1 (P1: Dependency Graph)
- **Medium Priority:** 2 (P2: Semantic, P3: Gaps)
- **Low Priority:** 2 (P4: Hierarchy, P5: Docs)
- **MVP Options:** P1 only, P1+P2, or P1+P2+P3

### Implementation Effort

- **P1 Dependency Graph:** 2 weeks
- **P2 Semantic Matching:** 2 weeks
- **P3 Gap Detection:** 1 week
- **P4 Role Hierarchy:** 2 weeks
- **P5 Documentation:** 1 week
- **Total (All):** 8 weeks
- **MVP (P1+P2):** 4 weeks

---

## Reading Paths by Role

### Path A: Architect

1. RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md (30 min)
2. SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md Part 3 (30 min)
3. COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md sections 1-2 (30 min)
4. Decision: Implementation scope (30 min)
   **Total: 2 hours**

### Path B: Developer

1. README.md (15 min)
2. SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md Part 2 (30 min)
3. IMPLEMENTATION_PATTERNS.md section for assigned P (1-2 hours)
4. Code review and planning (30 min)
   **Total: 2.5-3 hours**

### Path C: Team Lead

1. RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md (30 min)
2. COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md framework table (15 min)
3. RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md roadmap section (15 min)
4. Planning and team assignment (45 min)
   **Total: 1.75 hours**

### Path D: Quick Overview (15 min)

1. README.md Quick Navigation (5 min)
2. RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md recommendations (10 min)

---

## Document Statistics

| Document                     | Lines      | Sections | Code Examples | Tables  |
| ---------------------------- | ---------- | -------- | ------------- | ------- |
| RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md          | ~500       | 15       | 5             | 10      |
| README.md                    | ~300       | 8        | 1             | 4       |
| SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md | ~3,500     | 35+      | 15            | 25      |
| COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md      | ~2,200     | 20+      | 8             | 12      |
| IMPLEMENTATION_PATTERNS.md   | ~2,300     | 30+      | 50            | 5       |
| **Total**                    | **~8,800** | **~100** | **~80**       | **~56** |

---

## Next Steps

### 1. Review Phase (Week 1)

- [ ] Architects review SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md
- [ ] Team lead reviews RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md
- [ ] Dev team skims IMPLEMENTATION_PATTERNS.md

### 2. Decision Phase (Week 1)

- [ ] Vote on P1-P5 priorities
- [ ] Choose scope: MVP vs Full
- [ ] Assign team leads per recommendation

### 3. Planning Phase (Week 2)

- [ ] Create GitHub issues for each recommendation
- [ ] Detail technical designs
- [ ] Estimate story points
- [ ] Schedule implementation sprints

### 4. Execution Phase (Weeks 3+)

- [ ] Implement based on prioritized roadmap
- [ ] Follow code patterns in IMPLEMENTATION_PATTERNS.md
- [ ] Reference COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md for decisions
- [ ] Update nexus-agents documentation

---

## Files and Locations

**Main Research Hub:**

- `/home/william/git/nexus-agents/RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md` (START HERE)

**Research Subdirectory:**

- `/home/william/git/nexus-agents/docs/research/topics/agent-skills/`
  - `README.md` (navigation)
  - `INDEX.md` (this file)
  - `SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md` (main findings)
  - `COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md` (framework comparison)
  - `IMPLEMENTATION_PATTERNS.md` (code templates)

**Related Architecture Docs:**

- `/home/william/git/nexus-agents/docs/architecture/AGENT_SYSTEM.md`
- `/home/william/git/nexus-agents/CLAUDE.md`

**Codebase References:**

- `/home/william/git/nexus-agents/packages/nexus-agents/src/agents/experts/expert-selector.ts` (current implementation)
- `/home/william/git/nexus-agents/packages/nexus-agents/src/cli/custom-expert-loader.ts` (custom experts)

---

## How to Use This Research

### For Implementation

1. Read IMPLEMENTATION_PATTERNS.md for your assigned P
2. Copy code templates
3. Adapt to your codebase
4. Follow the checklist at the end

### For Decision Making

1. Review RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md recommendations
2. Check COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md for precedent
3. Use decision matrix to prioritize
4. Get team alignment before starting

### For Documentation

1. Reference papers in SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md Part 7
2. Link recommendations to research findings
3. Use success metrics for acceptance criteria
4. Update AGENT_SYSTEM.md after implementation

### For Future Research

1. All papers cited (8 total)
2. Competitive analysis (5 frameworks)
3. Codebase analysis (expert-selector, custom loading)
4. Extensions proposed for future investigation

---

## Questions?

- **About research findings:** See SKILL_ASSIGNMENT_RESEARCH.md
- **About implementation:** See IMPLEMENTATION_PATTERNS.md
- **About framework selection:** See COMPARATIVE_ANALYSIS.md
- **About recommendations:** See RESEARCH_SUMMARY.md
- **Quick answers:** See README.md

---

**Research Completed By:** Claude Code
**Date:** 2026-01-22 (ET)
**Status:** Complete - Ready for Review and Implementation Planning
