AGENT SKILL / MANUSCRIPT WORKFLOW

Anything in.
Journal out.

Drop every source into one folder. Your agent builds the LaTeX, PDF, references, audit, and submission files—then opens a local workspace for the final edit.

Start with a folder ↗Read the docs →

01 / INSTALL

One command to begin.

Run it yourself, or copy one prompt and let your agent handle installation or updates.

Already installed? Use the update command.

Requires Node.js 18 or newer. The default target is ~/.codex/skills/anything-to-journal.

02 / SOURCE WORKSPACE

One folder is the interface.

No form builder. No import ritual. Keep the full research context together.

FRESH WORKSPACE

Put every useful source in one new folder.

Notes, PDFs, tables, figures, references, transcripts, drafts—keep the context together. Before opening the content, the agent asks which output mode you want.

INPUT / 6 ITEMS•••

my-research/

field-notes.md

results.xlsx

interviews.pdf

figures/

references.bib

agent reads everything in context

03 / WORKFLOW

From source pile to final edit.

Four explicit steps. One real manuscript shared by the agent and the local editor.

01ASSEMBLE

Start with a fresh folder.

Create one clean workspace and put every relevant source inside. Mixed formats are expected.

02CONFIRM

Choose draft or template.

Before reading the sources, the agent confirms a flexible draft or a manuscript matched to a supplied venue template.

03GENERATE

Build the complete paper.

Anything-to-Journal produces editable LaTeX, a compiled PDF, references, audit reports, and submission files.

04REFINE

Finish in one workspace.

Edit the same LaTeX through Codex or by hand. Save, recompile, and watch the PDF preview update automatically.

04 / MODE GATE

The agent asks
before it reads.

Format is a deliberate choice, never a silent guess. The workflow pauses before source content is opened until draft mode or a specific journal target is confirmed.

ADEFAULT

Journal draft

A clear, portable manuscript structure for review, iteration, and choosing a venue later.

Standard article sections
Readable LaTeX sources
Conservative dependencies

Use draft mode →

BTARGETED

Specific template

A manuscript aligned to the supplied journal class, example article, and submission requirements.

Uses journal-provided files
Preserves required structure
Records compiler instructions

Add a template →

05 / OUTPUT

A manuscript you still own.

Every major section stays legible. Figures remain replaceable, citations stay in a bibliography file, and the editor works on the actual generated source.

01Editable source

02Compiled PDF

03Upload-ready ZIP

04Local workspace

DELIVERABLES / FINALEDITABLE

▰ journal-output/

▤ manuscript/manuscript.tex

▤ reports/quality-report.md

▰ submission/

▧ overleaf-upload.zipUPLOAD

▰ overleaf-upload/

▤ main.texROOT

▤ references.bib

▤ README_OVERLEAF.md

▤ manuscript.pdf

OVERLEAF ROUTENew Project → Upload Project

Choose submission/overleaf-upload.zip. main.tex is already at the ZIP root.

06 / MANUSCRIPT WORKSPACE

Review the PDF. Edit the real LaTeX.

The finished paper opens in one local-only browser workspace. Codex edits and manual edits stay synchronized because both work on journal-output/manuscript/manuscript.tex.

PDF Preview opens first and scrolls through the complete paper.
Save LaTeX to compile and refresh the preview automatically.
External edits are detected without overwriting unsaved work.
A failed compile keeps the last successful PDF visible.

Keep editing in Codex chatOpen the same URL in any browser

LOCALHOST ONLY · NO CLOUD UPLOAD

127.0.0.1:43127LOCAL

manuscript.texjournal-output / manuscript

SAVED

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Evidence-Aware
Manuscript Workflows

A. Researcher · B. Collaborator

Abstract

WATCHING EXTERNAL CHANGESPDF IN SYNC

07 / HANDOFF

One ZIP.
Straight to Overleaf.

Open Overleaf and choose New Project.

Select Upload Project.

Upload submission/overleaf-upload.zip.

Open the Overleaf guide ↗

08 / FAQ

Questions, resolved.

01What can I put in the source folder?

Anything that helps explain the work: PDFs, notes, Word files, spreadsheets, CSV data, figures, transcripts, citations, code, earlier drafts, and journal instructions.

02Do I need to organize everything first?

No. Clear names help, but the skill is designed to inspect mixed material. Keep the folder dedicated to one manuscript and exclude secrets or unrelated files.

03How do I update the skill?

Run npx anything-to-journal@latest update. The updater verifies the existing skill, stages the newest published release, and replaces the old copy safely.

04Can I edit the manuscript in Codex and by hand?

Yes. Both routes edit the same generated LaTeX files. The workspace detects external changes, recompiles after saved edits, and refreshes the PDF preview.

05What happens if LaTeX compilation fails?

The workspace shows the compile error and keeps the last successful PDF available, so a broken edit never destroys the usable preview.

06Can I still use Overleaf?

Yes. Upload journal-output/submission/overleaf-upload.zip using New Project → Upload Project. The local workspace is an additional editing option, not a replacement for the existing handoff.

READY / WHEN YOU ARE

Make a folder.
Make it a journal.

Generate the full manuscript, then keep refining it in Codex, the local workspace, or Overleaf.

Get started ↗

Anything in.Journal out.