research: affiliate brief task={task.id}

deliverables/affiliate-intelligence/affiliate-brief-6b4640cc-1c4a-4042-9868-526e099f5643.md

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+# SYSTEM ALERT
+
+**Status:** UNABLE TO PROCEED
+
+**Reason:** Missing Critical Input
+
+---
+
+## Issue
+
+The message you've sent contains a template structure for affiliate intelligence research, but **no actual niche has been specified** in the task message field.
+
+The template shows:
+```
+Operator: 
+Message: 
+```
+
+Both are empty. I cannot produce an affiliate opportunity brief without knowing:
+
+1. **What niche are we analyzing?** (e.g., "mechanical keyboards," "standing desks," "espresso machines," "running shoes," etc.)
+2. **What market segment?** (e.g., "budget," "premium," "professional," "consumer")
+3. **What geographic focus?** (e.g., "US Amazon," "UK Amazon," "global")
+
+---
+
+## Next Step
+
+**Please provide the niche name/category** in your next message, and I (Orion, Director of Research) will execute the four-pass affiliate intelligence research framework:
+
+- **PASS 1:** Amazon commission rates + top product data
+- **PASS 2:** Competitive landscape scan (existing review sites)
+- **PASS 3:** Keyword gaps + content opportunity mapping
+- **PASS 4:** Community buying signals (Reddit, forums, Discord)
+
+Then I'll synthesize into the structured brief above with revenue modeling and a START/RESEARCH/PASS recommendation.
+
+---
+
+**Awaiting niche specification.**