# research

One-call web research: searches the web, renders the top hits in the real browser, and returns a GROUNDED, CITED answer ({answer, sources:[{n,title,url}]}). Falls back to the rendered sources if synthesis is unavailable. Free. Pass handle for governed tiers.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `research`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/research

## Facts

- Tool: `research`
- Server: Gateway (`https://wingmanprotocol.com/mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/WingmanProtocol-Agent-Gateway/wingman-agent-gateway
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server auth posture: open
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 3 (1 required)
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `query` | string | yes | the question to research |
| `handle` | string | no | your registered handle (governs powerful tiers) |
| `max_pages` | integer | no | pages to read + cite (1-5, default 3) |

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "research",
    "arguments": {
      "query": "<query>"
    }
  }
}
```

## Why research is rated Low

This tool retrieves and synthesizes information from the web without side effects. It queries external data sources and returns structured answers with citations. The fallback behavior of returning rendered sources confirms read-only intent. The mention of a 'handle' parameter for governed tiers does not alter the fundamental read operation. No write, execute, destructive, or financial capability is present.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool performs 'web research', 'searches the web', 'renders the top hits', and 'returns a GROUNDED, CITED answer' with sources. No data modification, deletion, code execution, or financial operations are described."

## Use case

AI agents call research to retrieve information from Gateway without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Gateway:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "research": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Gateway (270)

- `cancel_watch` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/cancel-watch.md
- `forget_memories` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/forget-memories.md
- `text_truncate_ellipsis` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/text-truncate-ellipsis.md
- `vault_delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/vault-delete.md
- `arena_call` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/arena-call.md
- `bitwise` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/bitwise.md
- `browse` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse.md
- `browse_back` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse-back.md
- `browse_click` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse-click.md
- `browse_close` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse-close.md
- `browse_evaluate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse-evaluate.md
- `browse_fill` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse-fill.md
- `browse_navigate` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse-navigate.md
- `browse_open` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse-open.md
- `browse_select` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse-select.md
- `browse_solve_challenge` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse-solve-challenge.md
- `browse_type` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse-type.md
- `browse_wait_for` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/browse-wait-for.md
- `coach_mission` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/coach-mission.md
- `dice_notation_roll` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/dice-notation-roll.md
- `gen_avatar_video` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/gen-avatar-video.md
- `gen_id_portrait` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/gen-id-portrait.md
- `gen_image` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/gen-image.md
- `gen_video` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/gen-video.md
- `hmac` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/hmac.md
- `markdown_to_html` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/markdown-to-html.md
- `matrix` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/matrix.md
- `regex_tester` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/regex-tester.md
- `request_handoff` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/request-handoff.md
- `retry_backoff` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway/retry-backoff.md
- …and 240 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/com-wingmanprotocol-agent-gateway