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Version: 2026-05-14

Deep Research

4C:me Interface

Deep Research is an advanced feature that provides structured, multi-step research workflows within 4C:me.

Overview​

Unlike standard chat conversations, Deep Research guides you through a systematic research process:

  • Step-by-step guidance through complex research tasks
  • Single-step or multi-step execution modes
  • Workflow state management to track progress
  • Visual workflow state indicators showing where you are in the process

How It Works​

Starting Deep Research​

  1. In 4C:me, enable the Deep Research toggle in the toolbar to activate the deep research MCP tool
  2. Enter your research question or topic
  3. The AI breaks down your research into structured steps

Execution Modes​

Step-by-Step Mode:

  • The AI presents one research step at a time
  • You review and approve each step before proceeding
  • Useful when you want control over the research direction

Single-Step Mode:

  • The AI executes the entire research workflow at once
  • Results are presented as a comprehensive report
  • Faster for straightforward research queries

Workflow State​

The Deep Research workflow tracks its state:

  • A WorkflowStateIndicator component shows current progress
  • You can see which steps are completed, in progress, or pending
  • Chat feature settings are conditionally rendered based on the active configuration

Background Runs​

Deep research workflows run in the background by default. You can close the chat or navigate away while the workflow continues — the platform tracks progress server-side and picks up where it left off when you return.

For long-running research, opt in to an email notification on completion when you start the workflow. You'll receive an email with a link back to the conversation once the final step finishes, so you don't have to keep checking. See Background Chats and Task Recovery for the broader behavior.

Use Cases​

  • Market research — Analyze trends, competitors, and market conditions
  • Literature reviews — Systematically review published research on a topic
  • Due diligence — Structured investigation of companies or technologies
  • Technical research — Deep dives into technical topics with structured output

Tips​

  • Be specific in your research question for more focused results
  • Use step-by-step mode for exploratory research where direction may change
  • Use single-step mode when you have a clear, well-defined research question
  • Deep research results can be exported as PDF for sharing