diff --git a/agents/gsd-planner.md b/agents/gsd-planner.md
index 75caaa9bc..7cfc93c72 100644
--- a/agents/gsd-planner.md
+++ b/agents/gsd-planner.md
@@ -112,8 +112,6 @@ Discovery is MANDATORY unless you can prove current context exists.
- Level 2+: New library not in package.json, external API, "choose/select/evaluate" in description
- Level 3: "architecture/design/system", multiple external services, data modeling, auth design
-If roadmap flagged "Research: Likely", Level 0 (skip) is not available.
-
For niche domains (3D, games, audio, shaders, ML), suggest `/gsd:research-phase` before plan-phase.
@@ -1029,8 +1027,6 @@ Read any existing PLAN.md or DISCOVERY.md in the phase directory.
Apply discovery level protocol (see discovery_levels section).
-
-If roadmap flagged "Research: Likely", Level 0 (skip) is not available.
diff --git a/get-shit-done/templates/roadmap.md b/get-shit-done/templates/roadmap.md
index edd95bfa8..962c5efd8 100644
--- a/get-shit-done/templates/roadmap.md
+++ b/get-shit-done/templates/roadmap.md
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ Decimal phases appear between their surrounding integers in numeric order.
1. [Observable behavior from user perspective]
2. [Observable behavior from user perspective]
3. [Observable behavior from user perspective]
-**Research**: Unlikely (established patterns)
**Plans**: [Number of plans, e.g., "3 plans" or "TBD"]
Plans:
@@ -49,8 +48,6 @@ Plans:
**Success Criteria** (what must be TRUE):
1. [Observable behavior from user perspective]
2. [Observable behavior from user perspective]
-**Research**: Likely (new integration)
-**Research topics**: [What needs investigating]
**Plans**: [Number of plans]
Plans:
@@ -75,8 +72,6 @@ Plans:
1. [Observable behavior from user perspective]
2. [Observable behavior from user perspective]
3. [Observable behavior from user perspective]
-**Research**: Likely (external API)
-**Research topics**: [What needs investigating]
**Plans**: [Number of plans]
Plans:
@@ -90,7 +85,6 @@ Plans:
**Success Criteria** (what must be TRUE):
1. [Observable behavior from user perspective]
2. [Observable behavior from user perspective]
-**Research**: Unlikely (internal patterns)
**Plans**: [Number of plans]
Plans:
@@ -126,12 +120,6 @@ Phases execute in numeric order: 2 → 2.1 → 2.2 → 3 → 3.1 → 4
- Verified by verify-phase after execution
- Format: "User can [action]" or "[Thing] works/exists"
-**Research flags:**
-- `Research: Likely` - External APIs, new libraries, architectural decisions
-- `Research: Unlikely` - Internal patterns, CRUD operations, established conventions
-- Include `Research topics:` when Likely
-- Flags are hints, not mandates - validate at planning time
-
**After milestones ship:**
- Collapse completed milestones in `` tags
- Add new milestone sections for upcoming work
diff --git a/get-shit-done/workflows/create-roadmap.md b/get-shit-done/workflows/create-roadmap.md
index be767795a..bf3829425 100644
--- a/get-shit-done/workflows/create-roadmap.md
+++ b/get-shit-done/workflows/create-roadmap.md
@@ -335,71 +335,6 @@ Use AskUserQuestion to resolve orphaned requirements.
**Do not proceed until coverage = 100%.**
-
-**For each phase, determine if research is likely needed.**
-
-Scan the brief and phase descriptions for research triggers:
-
-
-**Likely (flag the phase):**
-
-| Trigger Pattern | Why Research Needed |
-| ----------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
-| "integrate [service]", "connect to [API]" | External API - need current docs |
-| "authentication", "auth", "login", "JWT" | Architectural decision + library choice |
-| "payment", "billing", "Stripe", "subscription" | External API + compliance patterns |
-| "email", "SMS", "notifications", "SendGrid", "Twilio" | External service integration |
-| "database", "Postgres", "MongoDB", "Supabase" | If new to project - setup patterns |
-| "real-time", "websocket", "sync", "live updates" | Architectural decision |
-| "deploy", "Vercel", "Railway", "hosting" | If first deployment - config patterns |
-| "choose between", "select", "evaluate", "which" | Explicit decision needed |
-| "AI", "OpenAI", "Claude", "LLM", "embeddings" | Fast-moving APIs - need current docs |
-| Any technology not already in codebase | New integration |
-| Explicit questions in brief | Unknowns flagged by user |
-
-**Unlikely (no flag needed):**
-
-| Pattern | Why No Research |
-| ------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
-| "add button", "create form", "update UI" | Internal patterns |
-| "CRUD operations", "list/detail views" | Standard patterns |
-| "refactor", "reorganize", "clean up" | Internal work |
-| "following existing patterns" | Conventions established |
-| Technology already in package.json/codebase | Patterns exist |
-
-
-
-**For each phase, assign:**
-
-- `Research: Likely ([reason])` + `Research topics: [what to investigate]`
-- `Research: Unlikely ([reason])`
-
-**Important:** These are hints, not mandates. The mandatory_discovery step during phase planning will validate.
-
-Present research assessment:
-
-```
-Research needs detected:
-
-Phase 1: Foundation
- Research: Unlikely (project setup, established patterns)
-
-Phase 2: Authentication
- Research: Likely (new system, technology choice)
- Topics: JWT library for [stack], session strategy, auth provider options
-
-Phase 3: Stripe Integration
- Research: Likely (external API)
- Topics: Current Stripe API, webhook patterns, checkout flow
-
-Phase 4: Dashboard
- Research: Unlikely (internal UI using patterns from earlier phases)
-
-Does this look right? (yes / adjust)
-```
-
-
-
```bash
@@ -483,11 +418,7 @@ Write to `.planning/ROADMAP.md` with:
**Goal**: Secure user authentication
**Depends on**: Nothing (first phase)
**Requirements**: AUTH-01, AUTH-02, AUTH-03, AUTH-04
- **Research**: Unlikely (established patterns)
```
-- **Research flags** (from detect_research_needs step):
- - `Research: Likely ([reason])` with `Research topics:` for flagged phases
- - `Research: Unlikely ([reason])` for unflagged phases
- Status tracking (all start as "not started")
Create phase directories: