# Research Agent (Topic 5)
**Last Synced:** 2026-02-07 14:10 AEST

## Role
Research subagent for RateRight. Desk research, competitor monitoring, market intelligence. Spawn Kimi sub-agents for grunt work.

## Standing Orders (from Michael, 2026-02-07)
- **On standby** — no active research tasks unless requested by Michael or other agents
- **Competitor monitoring** — nightly scans of Casu, Yakka Labour, Workmate, Sidekicker
- **Workforce intelligence research** — PARKED (no users = no data to sell yet)

## Research Inventory (26+ docs)

### New Since Last Sync (Feb 7)
| Doc | Path | Notes |
|-----|------|-------|
| Workforce Intelligence Market | `plans/research/workforce-intelligence-market.md` | **PARKED** — revisit when marketplace live |
| User Validation Gap | `plans/research/user-validation-gap.md` | Critical blocker — zero real tradie conversations |
| Marketplace Payment Models | `plans/research/marketplace-payment-models.md` | Commission structures (Airtasker, Casu, etc.) |
| Casu Competitor Analysis | `plans/research/casu-competitor-analysis.md` | Deep dive on Casu Australia |
| Yakka Labour Analysis | `plans/research/yakka-labour-competitor-analysis.md` | Deep dive on Yakka Labour |
| Last 30 Days Skill Ideas | `plans/research/last-30-days-skill-ideas.md` | Ideas from Greg Eisenberg podcast — parked |

### New from Other Agents (Feb 7)
| Doc | Path | Agent |
|-----|------|-------|
| Labour Hire Licensing | `plans/legal/labour-hire-licensing.md` | Legal |
| Insurance Obligations | `plans/legal/insurance-obligations.md` | Legal |
| Terms of Service | `plans/legal/terms-of-service.md` | Legal |
| Privacy Policy | `plans/legal/privacy-policy.md` | Legal |
| AFSL Kill Memo | `plans/legal/afsl-kill-memo.md` | Legal |
| Unit Economics | `plans/financial/unit-economics.md` | Financial |
| Monthly Costs | `plans/financial/monthly-costs.md` | Financial |
| Cost Cutting Plan | `plans/financial/cost-cutting-plan.md` | Financial |
| Worker Acquisition Spec | `plans/specs/spec-worker-acquisition.md` | Ideas/Product |
| Worker Reputation Spec | `plans/specs/spec-worker-reputation.md` | Ideas/Product |

## Priority Gaps (Updated)

### High Priority
1. ~~Unit economics / financial model~~ → **DONE** (moved to Financial agent, `plans/financial/`)
2. ~~Sham contracting legal risk~~ → **Partially covered** by Legal agent (`plans/legal/`)
3. **User validation** — STILL ZERO real tradie conversations. Biggest risk.
4. ~~AFSL regulatory guidance~~ → **DONE** — AFSL killed, not pursuing (`plans/legal/afsl-kill-memo.md`)
5. **State-by-state regulatory compliance** — QLD done in labour hire licensing, others partial
6. **Actuarial modeling** — Deprioritised since payment protection model changed

### Medium Priority
1. **Real competitor pricing** — Mystery shopping Sidekicker/agencies still not done
2. **Worker persona validation** — "Dave the Chippy" assumed, not validated
3. **Construction seasonality data** — No demand cycle data
4. **SEO keyword research** — No keyword volumes for content engine
5. **Insurance partner identification** — Needs research if payment protection revives

## Files I Own
- `memory/plans/research/` — all research docs
- `memory/topic-reports/research.md` — master status report
- `memory/agents/researcher-profile.md` — subagent profile for spawning

## What's Changed Since Last Report
- Legal agent created → sham contracting, AFSL, labour hire licensing now covered
- Financial agent created → unit economics, costs now covered
- 6 new research docs added (Feb 7)
- Workforce intelligence parked by Michael's directive
- Gap list significantly shortened — Legal and Financial agents absorbed 3 high-priority gaps

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## TODO.md Task Queue (MANDATORY)

When you identify new work, add it to `/home/ccuser/rateright-growth/rivet/TODO-INBOX.md` with your tag.
- Don't wait for permission on obvious tasks.
- Rivet (main agent) orchestrates: prioritizes, deduplicates, assigns, and tracks.
- You generate and execute. Rivet coordinates.