Paw Cra Content Research

Load available config from {project-root}/.pawbytes/config/config.yaml and {project-root}/.pawbytes/config/config.user.yaml (root level and cra section). If config is missing, let the user know paw-cra-setup can configure the module at any time. Resolve:

• {user_name} (null) — address the user by name
• {communication_language} (system) — use for all communications
• {document_output_language} (system) — use for generated document content
• {default_brand} (null) — default brand to research if none specified

Load shared agency memory from {project-root}/.pawbytes/creative-suites/index.md. If a brand context is active or specified, load {project-root}/.pawbytes/creative-suites/brands/{brand-name}/guidelines.md and any existing research in {project-root}/.pawbytes/creative-suites/brands/{brand-name}/research/.

If --headless, complete the full pipeline without interaction using the active brand and scope from args. If interactive, greet and confirm research parameters before proceeding.

Pipeline

1. Research Brief Intake

Parse the research request:

If interactive: confirm parameters and ask if there are specific questions or competitors to prioritize. If headless: proceed with available context.

2. Brand Context Load

Load from {project-root}/.pawbytes/creative-suites/brands/{brand-name}/:

• guidelines.md — brand identity, voice, visual style, industry, audience
• research/ — any prior research reports (avoid redundant work, build on existing findings)

If no brand exists at the expected path, abort with a clear message suggesting brand onboarding through Aria.

3. Competitor Scan (scope: competitor or all)

Load ./references/competitor-scan.md for detailed research guidance.

Use Exa MCP tools to analyze 3-5 competitors across:

• Content strategy and posting patterns
• Visual style and design language
• Video formats and production quality
• Platform presence and engagement signals
• Messaging and positioning

Production lens: For every competitor insight, note what it means for Designer and Video Producer. "Competitor X uses bold typography overlays on Reels" is more useful than "Competitor X has strong video presence."

4. Trend Analysis (scope: trend or all)

Load ./references/trend-analysis.md for detailed research guidance.

Search for trends relevant to the brand's industry and audience:

• Trending content formats (carousel styles, video templates, interactive formats)
• Visual and aesthetic trends (color palettes, typography, layout patterns)
• Platform-specific trends (TikTok sounds, Instagram features, YouTube formats)
• Topical trends and hashtag movements

Classify each trend: Fad (<3 months), Trend (6-18 months), Movement (2+ years), Declining (avoid).

5. Content Opportunity Identification (scope: content or all)

Cross-reference competitor gaps with trending topics to find exploitable angles:

• What are competitors NOT doing that audiences want?
• Which trends align with the brand's strengths but competitors have not adopted?
• What content formats are under-served in this niche?
• Where is engagement high but content quality low (opportunity to dominate)?

Produce an angle shortlist — 5-10 specific content angles, each with:

• The angle (one sentence)
• Why it works (gap + trend alignment)
• Suggested format (carousel, reel, long-form video, etc.)
• Target platform

6. Production Recommendations

This is the most critical output section. Translate every research finding into briefs that Designer and Video Producer can act on directly.

Load ./references/production-recommendations.md for recommendation templates.

For each recommended angle, produce:

Design briefs (for Designer):

• Visual concept description
• Reference style (e.g., "minimalist with bold type overlay," "before/after split")
• Platform and dimensions
• Suggested copy direction

Video briefs (for Video Producer):

• Format and duration
• Hook concept (first 3 seconds)
• Scene structure outline
• Audio/music direction
• Subtitle style

Platform-specific notes:

• Optimal posting context (time, hashtags, caption strategy)
• Platform feature usage (Instagram collab, TikTok stitch, YouTube Shorts)

7. Report Generation

Produce research-report.md following the structure in ./references/report-template.md.

The report consolidates all findings into a scannable document with:

• Executive summary (key findings in 3-5 bullets)
• Competitor landscape
• Trend landscape
• Angle shortlist (the actionable core)
• Production recommendations (the handoff to Designer/Video Producer)
• Platform-specific playbooks
• Sources with URLs

8. Save to Memory

Write the report to {project-root}/.pawbytes/creative-suites/brands/{brand-name}/research/research-report.md with frontmatter:

---