arena-research-skillSearch and explore Are.na for curated channels, references, and visual inspiration by analyzing connections and identifying key curators across any topic.
Install via ClawdBot CLI:
clawdbot install givenness/arena-research-skillGeneral-purpose agentic research over Are.na. Decompose any research question into
targeted searches, explore channels, follow the connection graph to discover adjacent
ideas, identify key curators, deep-dive linked content, and synthesize into a sourced
briefing.
For API details (endpoints, auth, response format): read references/arena-api.md.
reading lists, how people organize ideas. High signal, human-curated, long-tail.
breaking news, expert hot takes. Fast-moving, high volume.
Are.na is a library, not a firehose. The value isn't just what people saved — it's
how they organized it and what else they connected it to.
All commands run from this skill directory:
cd ~/clawd/skills/arena-research
source ~/.config/env/global.envbun run arena-search.ts search "<query>" [options]Options:
--type Channel|Block|Text|Image|Link|User|Group — filter result type (default: all)--sort score|created|updated|connections|random — sort order (default: score)--scope all|my|following — search scope (default: all, my/following require auth)--per N — results per page (default: 24, max: 100)--page N — page number--quick — quick mode: 10 results, 1hr cache, channels only, sort by connections--save — save to ~/clawd/drafts/arena-research-{slug}-{date}.md--json — raw JSON output--markdown — formatted markdown outputExamples:
bun run arena-search.ts search "tools for thought" --type Channel --sort connections
bun run arena-search.ts search "brutalist web design" --quick
bun run arena-search.ts search "cybernetics" --type Link --per 50
bun run arena-search.ts search "spatial computing" --scope mybun run arena-search.ts channel <slug-or-id> [options]Options:
--sort position|created|updated — content sort (default: position)--type Text|Image|Link|Attachment|Embed|Channel — filter content type--per N / --page N — pagination--connections — show channels that share blocks with this one (graph traversal)--save / --json / --markdownExamples:
bun run arena-search.ts channel arena-influences
bun run arena-search.ts channel arena-influences --type Link --per 50
bun run arena-search.ts channel arena-influences --connectionsbun run arena-search.ts block <id> [options]Options:
--connections — show which channels this block appears in (graph traversal)--jsonExamples:
bun run arena-search.ts block 3235876
bun run arena-search.ts block 3235876 --connectionsbun run arena-search.ts user <slug-or-id> [options]Options:
--per N / --page N--jsonbun run arena-search.ts meShows authenticated user's profile and channels. Requires ARENA_ACCESS_TOKEN.
bun run arena-search.ts cache clearWhen doing deep research (not just a quick search), follow this loop:
Turn the research question into 3-5 search queries approaching the topic from
different angles.
Think about the topic at multiple levels of abstraction:
spatial computing, brutalist web design)haptic interfaces, concrete architecture)tools for thought, digital gardens, vernacular web)
interaction design, web aesthetics)Start with channels sorted by connections to find the most-connected collections first:
bun run arena-search.ts search "tools for thought" --type Channel --sort connections --per 20Run each query. After each search, assess:
2-3 items are stubs. Channels with 50+ items are serious collections.
they're a key curator worth exploring directly.
and relevance.
Also search for blocks directly to find specific linked content:
bun run arena-search.ts search "cybernetics" --type Link --sort connections --per 20For each promising channel, fetch its contents:
bun run arena-search.ts channel tools-for-thought --per 50To see only external links (the most valuable for research deep-dives):
bun run arena-search.ts channel tools-for-thought --type Link --per 50Look for:
This is what makes Are.na research uniquely powerful. Two strategies:
4a. Block connections — "Where else does this content live?"
For high-signal blocks (interesting links, well-described text), check which other
channels they appear in:
bun run arena-search.ts block 3235876 --connectionsA block in 28 channels means 28 different people thought it was worth saving. The
channels it appears in show you how different people contextualize the same idea.
4b. Channel connections — "What's adjacent to this collection?"
For a channel you've identified as high-quality, find other channels that share content:
bun run arena-search.ts channel arena-influences --connectionsThis surfaces conceptual neighbors — channels that share blocks with the one you're
exploring. A channel about "tools for thought" might connect to "cybernetics," "memory
palaces," and "personal knowledge management."
Graph depth: One hop is the sweet spot. Block→connections→those channels is enough.
Two hops gets exponential fast. Stop at one hop unless you have a specific reason to
go deeper.
As you explore, track which users appear repeatedly:
Fetch their profile and channels:
bun run arena-search.ts user charles-broskoskiWhen blocks are Link-type and have source URLs, use web_fetch to read the actual
content. Prioritize links that:
Skip deep-diving:
state field — available means it's live)If looking for something you've personally saved:
bun run arena-search.ts search "query" --scope myOr content from people you follow:
bun run arena-search.ts search "query" --scope followingGroup findings by theme, not by search query. Each theme should capture a
conceptual cluster of channels, blocks, and curators.
### [Theme/Finding Title]
[1-2 sentence summary of what curators are collecting and how they frame it]
**Key channels:**
- [Channel Title](https://www.are.na/owner/slug) by @username — N items
[Brief description of scope and quality]
- [Channel Title](https://www.are.na/owner/slug) by @username — N items
[Brief description]
**Notable content:**
- [Block title](source_url) — found in N channels
[Why it's significant]
**Key curators:**
- [@username](https://www.are.na/slug) — N channels, N followers
[What they focus on]
**Connected territory:**
- [Adjacent channel](https://www.are.na/owner/slug) — overlaps via shared blocks
[What this connection reveals about the topic]Use --save flag or save manually to ~/clawd/drafts/arena-research-{topic-slug}-{YYYY-MM-DD}.md.
Include a metadata footer:
---
## Research Metadata
- **Query**: [original question]
- **Date**: YYYY-MM-DD
- **Source**: Are.na v3 API
- **API calls**: N search queries + N channel fetches + N block connection lookups + N deep-dives
- **Channels explored**: N
- **Blocks scanned**: ~N
- **Search terms used**: [list the actual search strings]
- **Limitations**: [any gaps]--type filter--sort connections--type Link for external references, --type Text for notes--type and --sort on the channel command--type Image — Are.na is heavily used for mood boards and art direction| Block Type | Key Fields | Research Value |
|-----------|-----------|---------------|
| Link | source.url, source.title, description | External references — deep-dive with web_fetch |
| Text | content (markdown) | Notes, annotations, original writing |
| Image | image.src, title, description | Visual references — note title/description |
| Attachment | attachment.url, title | PDFs, documents — may be valuable |
| Embed | embed.url, title | Videos, audio — note but usually can't deep-dive |
| Channel | nested channel in contents | Sub-collection — explore if relevant |
skills/arena-research/
├── SKILL.md (this file)
├── arena-search.ts (CLI entry point)
├── lib/
│ ├── api.ts (Are.na v3 API wrapper: search, channels, blocks, users)
│ ├── cache.ts (file-based cache, 15min TTL)
│ └── format.ts (terminal + markdown formatters)
├── data/
│ └── cache/ (auto-managed)
└── references/
└── arena-api.md (Are.na v3 API endpoint reference)Generated Mar 1, 2026
A product designer needs curated visual references and conceptual inspiration for a new app interface. They use the skill to search Are.na channels on 'digital minimalism' and 'UI patterns', exploring high-connection channels to gather human-curated examples and understand how experts organize design principles.
A researcher studying internet aesthetics requires reading lists and linked resources on topics like 'vernacular web' or 'post-digital art'. They decompose the query into adjacent concepts, use the skill to find channels with 50+ items, and follow connections to identify key curators and their collections for a comprehensive briefing.
An art director seeks visual inspiration and mood boards for a campaign on 'brutalist web design'. They run quick searches to discover channels sorted by connections, assess depth via item counts, and explore top channels to extract linked images and references, synthesizing them into a sourced creative brief.
A content strategist wants to discover how communities organize ideas around 'tools for thought' to inform article topics and curator collaborations. They use the skill to search for channels and blocks, identify influential users through repeated ownership, and analyze channel structures to uncover trending subtopics and gaps.
A startup founder explores 'spatial computing' to find curated resources and adjacent concepts like 'haptic interfaces'. They follow the research loop to decompose the question, search for links and channels, and use graph traversal to discover connected ideas, building a briefing on emerging trends and key players.
Offer curated research briefings to design and marketing agencies using the skill to automate Are.na exploration. Charge a subscription or per-project fee for delivering synthesized insights on topics like visual trends or cultural analysis, leveraging the skill's ability to identify deep channels and key curators.
Integrate the skill into university courses on digital humanities or design thinking as a tool for students to conduct curated research. License the skill package or offer workshops, generating revenue through institutional licenses and training sessions that teach decomposition and graph traversal techniques.
Build a platform that uses the skill to automatically generate and update curated collections from Are.na for topics like 'art direction' or 'reading lists'. Monetize through premium access to advanced search filters, saved briefings, and integration with other tools, targeting freelancers and studios.
💬 Integration Tip
Integrate this skill into workflows requiring human-curated insights by setting up automated searches for recurring topics and using the save option to draft research briefs directly into project management tools.
Summarize URLs or files with the summarize CLI (web, PDFs, images, audio, YouTube).
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Multi search engine integration with 17 engines (8 CN + 9 Global). Supports advanced search operators, time filters, site search, privacy engines, and WolframAlpha knowledge queries. No API keys required.