deep-research-notebooklm

What this skill does

# Deep Research via NotebookLM

Research **$ARGUMENTS** deeply using the NotebookLM MCP server and deliver a structured research brief. Optionally generate studio artifacts (slides, audio podcasts, videos, infographics, reports, mind maps) from the research.

## Prerequisites

- **NotebookLM MCP server** must be configured. Install via: `nlm setup add claude-code`
- If NotebookLM MCP tools are not available, tell the user to run the setup command and restart their session.

## Research Workflow

### Step 1: Define Scope

Determine the **research type** based on the user's request:

| Type | Focus |
|------|-------|
| **Market Research** | Industry trends, market sizing, opportunities, TAM/SAM/SOM |
| **Competitive Intel** | Competitor analysis, positioning gaps, feature comparisons |
| **Client/Prospect Research** | Company background, pain points, decision makers, recent news |
| **Trend Analysis** | Technology trends, adoption patterns, forecasts, emerging players |
| **Proposal Research** | Background for proposals, sector-specific data, case studies |
| **Academic/Technical** | Papers, frameworks, methodologies, state of the art |

Tell the user what you plan to research and confirm the angle:

> "I'll research [topic]. My angle: [specific focus]. I'll investigate: [2-3 specific questions]. Sound right, or should I adjust?"

Wait for confirmation before proceeding.

### Step 2: Create NotebookLM Notebook

Use `notebook_create` to create a notebook named:
`Research: [Topic] - [YYYY-MM-DD]`

### Step 3: Add Context Sources

Use `source_add` to seed the notebook with relevant context:
- Add any URLs the user provides (articles, company pages, reports)
- Add any documents or files the user references
- Add text summaries of relevant background if no URLs are available
- If researching a company, add their website, LinkedIn, recent press

### Step 4: Run Research

Use `research_start` with a well-crafted query based on the topic and context.

**Mode selection:**
- Default: `"fast"` (~60 seconds, ~10 sources) -- good for most queries
- Use `"deep"` only if the user explicitly asks for exhaustive research (can take 10+ minutes and may stall at 0 sources)

**Tip:** Run direct `WebSearch` calls in parallel with NotebookLM for faster initial data gathering while the research engine works.

Poll `research_status` until complete. Use the `query` parameter as fallback matching -- task IDs can change between `research_start` and `research_status` calls.

### Step 5: Import Discovered Sources

Use `research_import` to bring discovered sources into the notebook for deeper analysis.

### Step 6: Query for Insights

Use `notebook_query` to ask 3-5 targeted questions based on the research type:

1. **Overview**: "What are the key findings about [topic]?"
2. **Opportunities**: "What opportunities or gaps exist in this space?"
3. **Actions**: "What are the most actionable insights from this research?"
4. **Risks**: "What are the main risks, challenges, or counterarguments?"
5. **Custom**: A question specific to the research type (e.g., "Who are the top 5 competitors and how do they differentiate?" for competitive intel)

### Step 7: Write Research Brief

Save the findings to a local file using the research brief template:

**File path:** `research/[topic-slug]-[YYYY-MM-DD].md`

Use the template from [research-brief-template.md](research-brief-template.md) to structure the output. Create the `research/` directory if it does not exist.

### Step 8: Present Takeaways

After saving, present the user with:
- **3-5 headline findings** (bullets, direct, no filler)
- **1-2 recommended actions** connected to the user's stated goals
- **Surprises or contrarian findings** -- anything that challenges assumptions
- **The file path** where the full brief is saved
- **The NotebookLM notebook URL** so the user can explore sources directly

### Step 9 (Optional): Generate Studio Artifacts

Ask the user: "Want me to generate any artifacts from this research? Options: slides, audio (podcast), video, infographic, report, mind map."

If yes, use `studio_create` with the notebook_id from Step 2.

**Available artifact types and recommended settings:**

| Type | Key params | Best for |
|------|-----------|----------|
| `slide_deck` | `slide_format`: `detailed_deck` or `presenter_slides`; `slide_length`: `short` or `default` | Executive presentations, client pitches |
| `audio` | `audio_format`: `deep_dive`, `brief`, `critique`, or `debate`; `audio_length`: `short`, `default`, `long` | Podcast-style deep dives, learning on the go |
| `video` | `video_format`: `explainer`, `brief`, `cinematic`; `visual_style`: `auto_select`, `classic`, `whiteboard`, etc. | Visual explainers, social media content |
| `infographic` | `orientation`: `landscape`, `portrait`, `square`; `infographic_style`: `professional`, `bento_grid`, etc. | One-pagers, social sharing |
| `report` | `report_format`: `Briefing Doc`, `Study Guide`, `Blog Post`, `Create Your Own` | Written deliverables, summaries |
| `mind_map` | `title` | Visual knowledge mapping |

**Common params for all artifact types:**
- `language`: Set to the user's preferred language (e.g., `"en"`, `"es"`, `"pt"`)
- `focus_prompt`: A clear directive about what to emphasize in the artifact
- `confirm`: Must be `true` to proceed with generation

**After creating an artifact:**
1. Poll `studio_status` until `completed` (audio/video: 5-15 min; slides/infographics: 2-5 min)
2. Use `download_artifact` to save locally if needed
3. Provide the notebook URL so the user can access artifacts directly

**Tips:**
- `audio` with `deep_dive` format produces the best podcast-style analysis
- `slide_deck` with `detailed_deck` format works best for standalone reading; `presenter_slides` is better when accompanied by speaker notes
- Audio status may show `"unknown"` once completed -- check for `audio_url` presence instead of waiting for a `"completed"` status

## Notes

- Fast mode is recommended as the default. Deep mode is powerful but can take 10+ minutes and occasionally stalls.
- Always confirm the research scope with the user before starting -- a well-scoped query produces dramatically better results.
- The research brief template ensures consistent, actionable output across all research types.

## Additional Resources

- [research-brief-template.md](research-brief-template.md) -- Template for structuring research brief output