Regulatory Research Fallback Workflow

This skill provides a systematic approach to gathering regulatory/compliance information when primary web extraction tools fail on government or regulatory website URLs.

When to Use This Skill

• read_webpage returns "unknown error" on .gov or regulatory PDF URLs
• search_web fails to retrieve current regulatory information
• You need to create compliance checklists or regulatory documentation
• Primary sources are inaccessible but the task must be completed

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Attempt Primary Source Extraction

First, try standard web extraction tools:

1. Use read_webpage on the regulatory URL
2. Use search_web for supplementary regulatory information
3. Document which tools failed and with what errors

Step 2: Activate Fallback - Shell Agent Research

When primary tools fail, delegate to shell_agent for secondary research:

Task: "Research [TOPIC] compliance requirements using available system tools. 
Gather information from alternative sources including:
- State/federal regulatory summaries
- Industry compliance guides
- Professional association resources
Focus on actionable checklist items for [SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT]"

Example shell_agent task for pharmacy compliance:

"Research pharmacy compliance requirements for [state]. Gather information 
about licensing, storage, dispensing, and documentation requirements from 
available sources. Create structured notes on mandatory compliance areas."

Step 3: Apply Domain Knowledge

When sources remain inaccessible, use established domain knowledge:

For pharmacy compliance, standard areas include:
- Licensing and registration requirements
- Controlled substance handling
- Prescription record-keeping
- Storage and security protocols
- Patient counseling requirements
- Continuing education obligations

Step 4: Create Documentation with Confidence Levels

Structure output with clear sourcing transparency:

## [Requirement Area]

**Status**: Based on standard regulatory framework (primary sources inaccessible)

**Key Requirements**:
- [Item 1] - Standard industry requirement
- [Item 2] - Common regulatory expectation
- [Item 3] - Best practice guideline

**Note**: Verify with [specific agency] for jurisdiction-specific requirements

Step 5: Flag Verification Needs

Always include disclaimers when using fallback approach:

⚠️ **Verification Required**: This checklist was created using secondary 
sources due to primary regulatory website inaccessibility. Please verify 
all requirements with the official [Agency Name] before implementation.

Key Principles

1. Persevere through failures - Tool errors don't mean task failure
2. Layer your research - Try multiple approaches before concluding information is unavailable
3. Be transparent - Clearly mark when information comes from secondary sources
4. Provide value anyway - A best-effort checklist is better than no guidance
5. Flag verification needs - Help users understand what needs official confirmation

Example Output Structure

# [Compliance Area] Checklist

## Source Transparency
This document was created using secondary research methods due to 
inaccessibility of primary regulatory sources. All items should be 
verified with official authorities.

## Core Requirements
[Checklist items based on standard regulatory framework]

## Verification Steps
[List of specific items requiring official confirmation]

## Recommended Next Actions
1. Contact [Agency] for current requirements
2. Review [Official Publication] when accessible
3. Consult with [Professional Association] for updates

Applicable Domains

This workflow applies to:

• Pharmacy/healthcare compliance
• Financial regulatory requirements
• Environmental compliance
• Building codes and permits
• Employment law requirements
• Any jurisdiction-specific regulatory research

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name: regulatory-research-fallback category: workflow version: 1.0