---
title: ToolRouter — Tool Detail
description: Detailed documentation for a ToolRouter tool including skills, parameters, and examples.
url: https://toolrouter.com/tools/deep-research
---
# Deep Research

Turn any question into a cited research report by searching and synthesizing multiple web sources. Cross-references findings with field-level citations and confidence scores. Multiple depth tiers from quick lookups to analyst-grade deep dives.

- **Version:** 0.02
- **Categories:** search, data, analytics

## Skills (1)

### Deep Research (`research`)

Run deep research on any topic. Automatically explores multiple web sources, cross-references findings, and returns structured intelligence with citations. Choose a processor tier to control depth vs speed.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `query` | string | Yes | Natural language research query — be specific and detailed for best results (max 15,000 chars) |
| `processor` | string | No | Research depth tier. lite/base: quick. core: cross-referenced. pro: web research (2-10min). ultra: deep research (5-25min). Add -fast for speed. (lite, base, core, core2x, pro, ultra, ultra2x, ultra4x, ultra8x, lite-fast, base-fast, core-fast, core2x-fast, pro-fast, ultra-fast, ultra2x-fast, ultra4x-fast, ultra8x-fast) [default: "pro"] |
| `output_mode` | string | No | Output format. auto: structured JSON with field-level citations. text: markdown report with inline citations. (auto, text) [default: "auto"] |
| `output_description` | string | No | Guidance for text mode output — e.g. "focus on market size and key players" or "keep it under 2000 words" |
| `source_domains` | array | No | Only use sources from these domains (e.g. ["reuters.com", "bloomberg.com"]) |
| `exclude_domains` | array | No | Exclude sources from these domains |

**Returns:** Structured research findings with field-level citations, confidence scores, and source excerpts. Content is either structured JSON (auto mode) or a markdown report (text mode).

**Examples:**

*Quick market research with pro processor:*

```json
{
  "query": "What is the current market size of the global AI agent platform market? Who are the key players and what are the growth projections?",
  "processor": "pro"
}
```

*Deep competitive analysis with ultra processor:*

```json
{
  "query": "Comprehensive competitive analysis of MCP tool marketplaces including Composio, OpenTools, and ToolRouter. Compare pricing, tool count, developer experience, and market positioning.",
  "processor": "ultra",
  "output_mode": "text",
  "output_description": "Focus on market positioning and differentiation. Include a comparison table."
}
```

*Fast research from specific sources:*

```json
{
  "query": "Latest developments in Model Context Protocol adoption by AI coding assistants",
  "processor": "pro-fast",
  "source_domains": [
    "github.com",
    "modelcontextprotocol.io",
    "anthropic.com"
  ]
}
```

## Quick Start

```bash
# Via CLI
TOOLROUTER_API_KEY=tr_live_xxx npx -y toolrouter-mcp call deep-research research --query What is the current market size of the global AI agent platform market? Who are the key players and what are the growth projections? --processor pro

# Via REST API
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer tr_live_xxx" \
     -d '{"tool":"deep-research","skill":"research","input":{"query":"What is the current market size of the global AI agent platform market? Who are the key players and what are the growth projections?","processor":"pro"}}' \
     https://api.toolrouter.com/v1/tools/call
```

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How deep can the research go?

You can choose from `lite`, `base`, `core`, `pro`, or `ultra`, depending on how much depth you need.

### Does it cite its sources?

Yes. The report includes citations and confidence scores so you can verify the findings.

### Can I limit the sources it searches?

Yes. Use `source_domains` when you want to constrain the research to specific websites.

### Is the result a report or structured data?

Either. Use `output_mode: "auto"` for structured JSON with citations or `output_mode: "text"` for a markdown report.

---

## Get Started with ToolRouter

**Already connected?** Call any tool with `use_tool({ tool, skill, input })`. Browse tools with `discover` or visit https://toolrouter.com/llms-full.txt

**New to ToolRouter?** Connect with one command (no API key needed — auto-provisions on first use):

```bash
# MCP (Claude Code, Codex CLI)
claude mcp add toolrouter -- npx -y toolrouter-mcp

# MCP (Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, VS Code, Gemini CLI, Claude Desktop)
{"mcpServers":{"toolrouter":{"command":"npx","args":["-y","toolrouter-mcp"]}}}

# Claude Chat / Claude Cowork / Claude Mobile — add as a connector:
# Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector → URL: https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp

# ChatGPT — add as an app:
# Settings → Apps → Advanced settings → enable Developer mode → Create app → MCP Server URL: https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp

# CLI (works instantly, no restart needed)
npx -y toolrouter-mcp tools                    # browse all tools
npx -y toolrouter-mcp search "seo"             # search by keyword
npx -y toolrouter-mcp call seo analyze_page --url https://example.com
```

Free tools work immediately. For paid tools, visit https://toolrouter.com/claim to add credits.

All platforms: https://toolrouter.com/connect | Full catalog: https://toolrouter.com/llms-full.txt | Docs: https://toolrouter.com/docs