> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sterlinglabs.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Deep Research

> Turn on Deep Research for a thorough, multi-step investigation that returns a fuller answer instead of a quick one.

## When to use Deep Research

* **Open-ended questions.** "Is the bull case for this company still intact after this quarter?"
* **Several sources to compare.** "How do the three largest semiconductor names differ on margins, capex and valuation?"
* **A first pass on a company you don't know yet.**

For a quick fact or a single metric, leave it off. You'll get the answer faster.

## Where to find it

The **Deep Research** button is in the Analyst's message box, next to the attach button.

## Using Deep Research

1. Select **Deep Research**. The button turns yellow, and hovering it reads "Deep Research is on for this conversation". It stays on for that chat until you turn it off.
2. Ask your question as normal.
3. When the Analyst plans several steps, a bar above the chat shows its progress through them. The answer arrives with its sources.
4. Ask follow-ups in the same chat to go deeper, or turn Deep Research off for quick answers again.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does it take?

Longer than a normal answer. It depends on how much the question spans.

### Does it count toward my usage?

Yes, and more than a standard question. Usage is measured by how much work each answer takes, and a Deep Research answer takes more. During a trial, Analyst use is free. See [Your plan, usage and invoices](/account/billing-payments).

### Can I combine it with attachments?

Yes. Attach the documents first, then ask with Deep Research on, and they're included in the investigation. See [Asking questions and attaching documents](/analyst/asking-questions).

## Related articles

* [What is the Analyst?](/analyst/what-is-the-analyst)
* [Reading Sterling's research on a company](/companies/reading-a-research-report)


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