# Research: Phase {N} - {Phase Name}

<!-- 
Template for phase-specific research output.
Generated by reis_scout before planning begins.
-->

## Research Summary

<!-- One-paragraph executive summary of key findings and primary recommendation -->
{Executive summary of research findings}

## Scope

- **Phase Goal**: {Goal from ROADMAP.md}
- **Research Focus**: {Specific questions being answered}
- **Time Budget**: {Allocated time for research}

## Findings

### Technology/Library Options

<!-- Evaluate 2-3 viable options. Don't list everything, focus on real candidates. -->

| Option | Pros | Cons | Recommendation |
|--------|------|------|----------------|
| {Option 1} | {Advantages} | {Disadvantages} | ✅ Use / ⚠️ Consider / ❌ Avoid |
| {Option 2} | {Advantages} | {Disadvantages} | ✅ Use / ⚠️ Consider / ❌ Avoid |
| {Option 3} | {Advantages} | {Disadvantages} | ✅ Use / ⚠️ Consider / ❌ Avoid |

### Architecture Patterns

<!-- Relevant patterns for this phase's implementation -->

**Recommended Pattern:** {Pattern name}

{Description of the pattern and why it fits this phase}

**Alternative Pattern:** {Pattern name}

{When to use this alternative instead}

### Existing Code to Leverage

<!-- Files/modules in codebase that can be extended. Search before suggesting new code! -->

| File/Module | Can Provide | Modification Needed |
|-------------|-------------|---------------------|
| {src/path/file.ts} | {Functionality} | {What changes needed} |
| {src/path/other.ts} | {Functionality} | {What changes needed} |

### External Dependencies

<!-- NPM packages, APIs, services needed for this phase -->

| Dependency | Version | Purpose | Risk Level |
|------------|---------|---------|------------|
| {package-name} | {^x.y.z} | {What it provides} | Low/Medium/High |
| {api-name} | {v1} | {What it provides} | Low/Medium/High |

## Risks & Unknowns

<!-- Be explicit about what could go wrong and how to handle it -->

| Risk | Impact | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|------|--------|------------|------------|
| {Risk description} | High/Medium/Low | High/Medium/Low | {How to prevent or handle} |
| {Risk description} | High/Medium/Low | High/Medium/Low | {How to prevent or handle} |

### Unknowns

<!-- Things we don't know yet that could affect implementation -->

- {Unknown 1 and potential impact}
- {Unknown 2 and potential impact}

## Recommendations

<!-- Clear, actionable recommendations in priority order -->

### Primary Recommendation

{Main recommendation with detailed rationale}

**Why this approach:**
- {Reason 1}
- {Reason 2}
- {Reason 3}

### Fallback Recommendation

{Alternative if primary doesn't work}

**When to use fallback:**
- {Condition that triggers fallback}

## Open Questions

<!-- Questions needing resolution before or during planning -->

- [ ] {Question 1 - who should answer}
- [ ] {Question 2 - who should answer}
- [ ] {Question 3 - who should answer}

## References

<!-- Links to documentation, examples, discussions that informed research -->

- [{Reference title}]({url})
- [{Reference title}]({url})
- [{Reference title}]({url})

---

*Generated by reis_scout on {timestamp}*
*Research time: {actual time spent}*
*Phase: {N} of {total phases}*