# hypothesis-generation

Formulate testable scientific hypotheses from observations and literature data. Helps researchers plan experimental designs and structure academic LaTeX reports.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code · 101 installs
- Author: davila7
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/skills/scientific/hypothesis-generation
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/hypothesis-generation

## What it does

This skill guides research inquiry through a fixed step-by-step procedure. First, the agent analyzes the target phenomenon and defines its limits. It then searches literature via PubMed or web queries to identify existing mechanisms and unresolved conflicts. From these findings, it drafts three to five distinct mechanistic hypotheses. Each candidate explanation is evaluated against falsifiability, parsimony, and empirical scope.

Next, the agent plans experiments. It defines controls, measurements, and numerical predictions that can falsify competing models. The final output is structured into a LaTeX report using `assets/hypothesis_report_template.tex`.

Workflow guidelines require visual schematics in every report. Generating these figures relies on `python scripts/generate_schematic.py` and the companion `scientific-schematics` skill.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **claude-code-templates**
```bash
npx claude-code-templates@latest --skill scientific/hypothesis-generation
```

2. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add davila7/claude-code-templates --skill hypothesis-generation -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

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

### Cursor

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install davila7/claude-code-templates hypothesis-generation
```

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

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates --path cli-tool/components/skills/scientific/hypothesis-generation
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### 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/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/skills/scientific/hypothesis-generation

## When to use it
- formulate testable mechanistic hypotheses from experimental observations
- design controlled studies with defined variables and sample metrics
- evaluate alternative explanations against falsifiability criteria
- compile research findings into a structured LaTeX report template

## Example prompts
- Examine our preliminary assay data and propose three competing mechanistic hypotheses
- Search PubMed for this cellular pathway and outline testable predictions
- Draft an experimental design and compile the findings into the LaTeX report template

## Similar
- [anysearch](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/anysearch.md) — skill · 38500 installs
- [academic-paper](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/academic-paper.md) — skill · 10900 installs
- [nature-figure](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/nature-figure.md) — skill · 18800 installs
- [academic-paper-reviewer](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/academic-paper-reviewer.md) — skill · 9900 installs
- [nature-polishing](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/nature-polishing.md) — skill · 17500 installs
- [nature-citation](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/nature-citation.md) — skill · 15600 installs

## Other versions with the same name
- [hypothesis-generation · k-dense-ai](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/k-dense-ai-hypothesis-generation.md) — 2100 installs

From the same set: [davila7/claude-code-templates](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/davila7/claude-code-templates.md) — 804 cards

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