Research Summary Loop
Collect sources, summarize findings, and produce a structured research brief with source notes.
What this Loop Engineering template does
Synthesize multiple sources into a structured brief that separates facts, assumptions, and recommendations.
Cite a source for every factual claim. Flag contradictions. Do not fabricate citations.
When to use it
When not to use it
Validation checks
Boundaries & stop rule
Copy the loop prompt
/goal Synthesize multiple sources into a structured brief that separates facts, assumptions, and recommendations.Task type: Research SummaryTarget tool: Generic AgentWork toward this goal until all validation checks pass or the stop rule is reached.Design hypothesis:This research summary loop can produce a safer result if the scope stays narrow, validation is explicit, and a checker can reject shortcut work.Smallest useful run:Run one bounded pass on the newest relevant signal before expanding scope or adding a schedule.Loop cycle:1. Discovery — Read the latest signal for this template before acting: CI output, issue detail, review comment, dataset report, or content brief.2. Handoff — Hand the work to one agent in an isolated branch, worktree, or clearly scoped session. Keep final approval with a human.3. Verification — Use an independent review pass to confirm the result, inspect the diff or artifact, and reject shortcut work.4. Persistence — Save a short run note with the signal reviewed, actions taken, validation result, and next recommended step.5. Scheduling — Run manually until the loop is reliable; only then consider a scheduled or event-triggered run.Context:Cite a source for every factual claim. Flag contradictions. Do not fabricate citations.Validation:Every factual claim has a source noteContradictions are flaggedSummary separates facts, assumptions, and recommendationsValidation evidence:Record the original signal, checks run, final result, changed files or artifacts, and any checker rejection.Independent checker:Use an independent review pass to confirm the result, inspect the diff or artifact, and reject shortcut work.Boundaries:Do not fabricate citationsDo not over-quote sourcesDo not hide uncertaintyStop rule:Stop when every claim is sourced and the brief separates facts, assumptions, and recommendations.Maximum iterations: 3Budget:Example only: stop before exceeding the agreed per-run token budget.Human approval:Required before merge, deploy, delete, purchase, or external communication.Fallback:If sources conflict or cannot be verified, present the uncertainty rather than resolving it arbitrarily.Loop Validation Log:- Hypothesis: This research summary loop can produce a safer result if the scope stays narrow, validation is explicit, and a checker can reject shortcut work.- Smallest useful run: Run one bounded pass on the newest relevant signal before expanding scope or adding a schedule.- Expected evidence: Record the original signal, checks run, final result, changed files or artifacts, and any checker rejection.- Actual evidence: [fill in after the run]- Passed? [yes / no / partial]- Feedback: After the run, note what the loop learned, what failed, and what should change before the next pass.- Next step: [stop / adjust the loop / run the next pass]Do not delete tests, bypass checks, or modify unrelated files just to satisfy the validation condition. If blocked, stop and summarize the blocker, attempted fixes, and recommended next action.
Failure modes to watch
Review receipt
This is a bounded review exercise for the template, not a claim about a production deployment.
Scenario
A maintainer needs a current answer on safe agent stop rules across official product documents and two new research preprints.
Baseline evidence
The researcher records the exact question, search date, inclusion rule, primary URLs, publication status, and which claims come from product documentation versus unreviewed preprints.
Validation result
The summary answers the question with claim-level links, marks inferences and uncertainty, states each study's limits, and separates verified facts from recommendations for this site.
Shortcut rejected
Copying search snippets, citing an aggregator, or presenting a recent preprint as settled industry consensus is rejected.
Human gate
An editor checks that each consequential claim is supported by the linked source and decides whether the evidence is mature enough to guide public advice.
Loop Engineering FAQ
Every factual claim must carry a source note, and fabricating citations is an explicit forbidden action. Unverifiable claims are flagged as uncertain.