# backward-traceability

Connects every numeric value in a research PDF directly to the source code line that produced it. Helps verify data reproducibility across LaTeX documents.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 2100 installs · ★ 433
- Author: lingzhi227
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/lingzhi227/agent-research-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/backward-traceability/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-02-27
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/backward-traceability

## What it does

This skill binds numbers in paper text to the exact calculations that generated them. Experiment code outputs `\hypertarget` tags alongside raw values, while the LaTeX manuscript references them via clickable `\hyperlink` tags. Derived metrics evaluate at compilation time with `\num{}`, and full code listings sit in the appendix.

Verification runs through the bundled `ref_numeric_values.py` Python script. It scans `main.tex` for broken or orphan references and compares reported metrics directly against `results.txt`. For the LaTeX side, projects require both `hyperref` and `listings` packages.

Hardcoding numerical values in the manuscript breaks traceability checks immediately, forcing you to keep code output and paper numbers strictly in sync.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add lingzhi227/agent-research-skills --skill backward-traceability -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/backward-traceability/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/backward-traceability/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add lingzhi227/agent-research-skills --skill backward-traceability -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/backward-traceability/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add lingzhi227/agent-research-skills --skill backward-traceability -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/backward-traceability/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install lingzhi227/agent-research-skills backward-traceability
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/backward-traceability/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add lingzhi227/agent-research-skills --skill backward-traceability -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/lingzhi227/agent-research-skills --path skills/backward-traceability
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/backward-traceability/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add lingzhi227/agent-research-skills --skill backward-traceability -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/lingzhi227/agent-research-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/backward-traceability/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- link PDF metrics to source code lines
- find unreferenced or orphan numeric targets in LaTeX
- verify experiment outputs against values in paper text
- generate clickable code listings in LaTeX appendices

## Example prompts
- Check backward traceability for numbers in paper/main.tex
- Run verification between paper/main.tex and results.txt
- Scan paper directory for unreferenced numeric targets

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From the same set: [lingzhi227/agent-research-skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/lingzhi227/agent-research-skills.md) — 30 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md