AI SummaryStructured workflow for reading academic papers efficiently. Follow the appropriate level template above. When in doubt, start with Level 2. After reading, save the digest:
Install
Copy this and paste it into Claude Code, Cursor, or any AI assistant:
I want to install the "paper-reading" skill in my project. Please run this command in my terminal: # Install skill into your project mkdir -p .claude/skills/paper-reading && curl --retry 3 --retry-delay 2 --retry-all-errors -o .claude/skills/paper-reading/SKILL.md "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jxtse/scientific-research-skills/main/skills/paper-reading/SKILL.md" Then restart Claude Code (or reload the window in Cursor) so the skill is picked up.
Description
Reads and analyzes academic papers (arXiv preprints, conference / journal PDFs, Zotero items) at three configurable depths: quick skim (2 min), standard read (10 min), or deep analysis (30 min). Produces structured digests covering problem, method, key innovation, results, limitations, reproducibility, hidden assumptions, and connections to the user's other work. Use when the user shares an arXiv link, PDF, or paper title and asks to read / summarize / digest / TL;DR / analyze / review / critique / explain / break down a paper, asks about a paper's contributions / methods / results / equations / figures, wants to compare two papers side by side, or needs a reading note for their records.
Paper Reading
Structured workflow for reading academic papers efficiently.
When to Use
• User shares an arXiv link or PDF and asks to read/summarize it • User asks about a specific paper's contributions, methods, or results • User wants a reading digest for their records • User asks to compare a paper against related work
Level 1: Quick Skim (2 min)
When: User just wants to know if a paper is worth reading Output: • Paper title, authors, venue, year • One-paragraph summary (what problem, what method, what result) • Key contribution in one sentence • Relevance assessment to user's work • Recommendation: Read / Skip / Skim only
Level 2: Standard Read (10 min)
When: User wants to understand the paper's approach Output: • Problem: What gap does this address? • Method: How do they solve it? (with key technical details) • Key innovation: What's genuinely new vs. incremental? • Results: Main numbers + comparison to baselines • Limitations: What they don't do, acknowledged or not • Connections: How does this relate to user's active projects?
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