themindshift-research-synthesis-loop

TheMindShift Research Synthesis Loop

Use this skill to turn gathered research into a synthesis checkpoint that Vitor can approve or redirect. Do not treat research as complete without a deep research verdict.

TheMindShift project files and TheAngry_Editor-inChief remain authority. This skill is procedural support for a repeated editorial loop.

Required Reads

1. Read TheMindShift AGENTS.md, ACTIVE_STATE.md, CHECKPOINTS.md, NEWSLETTER_DOCTRINE.md, and MODES/research-loop.md if present.
2. Read the active issue brief, approved theme decision, source index, and existing research notes.
3. Inspect external source requirements and any existing research synthesis artifact before replacing it.

If the TheMindShift project root is missing, ask for it. Do not run this loop from memory alone.

Loop Steps

1. Confirm the approved theme, the research question, and the current approval gate.
2. Map sources by claim, signal strength, source type, recency, and viewpoint, including skeptical or complicating evidence.
3. Decide whether normal research is enough, whether deep research is required, or whether a deep research prompt should be prepared for Vitor to run.
4. Produce a synthesis brief with core thesis options, evidence map, tensions, source gaps, suggested angle, and draft outline implications.
5. Self-review for cherry-picking, weak sourcing, old-canon overreach, unsupported claims, and missing counterevidence.
6. Revise the synthesis until it states what is known, what is uncertain, what to avoid, and what the Writer Loop should do next.

Hard Stops

• Stop before Research Synthesis approval.
• Stop before sending work to Writer Loop if Vitor feedback is required by the current gate.
• Stop before publication, posting, emailing, contacting anyone, or changing external systems.

Output

Return the research synthesis artifact target, deep research verdict, source map summary, recommended angle, blockers, and next loop.