Checkpoint Research

Run multi-step research with automatic progress tracking. If you time out, the next run picks up where you left off.

When to Use

Competitive analyses (multiple competitors to research)
Multi-source investigations (several URLs/topics to cover)
Any research task with 3+ sequential items that might timeout

How It Works

Create a progress file at the specified path
Before each step, read the progress file to check what's done
Skip completed steps (marked [x])
After completing each step, write findings to the file and mark [x]
If timed out mid-run, next invocation reads file and continues

Usage

When given a research task, structure it as follows:

1. Initialize Progress File

# [Research Title] — Progress

## Status: IN PROGRESS

## Steps
- [ ] 1. [Item name]
- [ ] 2. [Item name]
- [ ] 3. [Item name]

## Final Sections
- [ ] Summary / Verdict
- [ ] Recommendations

## Findings

*(Written below as each step completes)*

Save to: data/investigations/[topic]-progress.md

2. Research Loop

For each unchecked item:
  1. Read progress file
  2. Find first unchecked `- [ ]` item
  3. Research it (web_search, web_fetch, etc.)
  4. Append findings under ## Findings with a ### heading
  5. Mark the item `[x]` in the checklist
  6. Write updated file to disk immediately
  7. Continue to next item

3. Completion

When all items are [x]:

Write final sections (summary, recommendations)
Change ## Status: IN PROGRESS to ## Status: COMPLETE
Deliver the full report

Template for Spawning

When spawning a sub-agent with checkpoint research:

Read the progress file at [PATH] first.
If any items are marked [x], skip them — continue from the first unchecked item.
After researching each item, IMMEDIATELY write your findings to the file and mark it [x].
When all items are complete, write the final sections and mark status as COMPLETE.

Cost Impact

~2-3K extra tokens per full run vs non-checkpoint approach. Saves 20-30K+ tokens on any timeout (avoids full re-run). Net positive whenever timeout risk exists (tasks with 5+ web fetches).

Progress File Location

Default: /home/wdjones/.openclaw/workspace/data/investigations/[topic]-progress.md

2.7 KiB Raw Permalink Blame History