PDF source references
Trace recorded terms, values, and figure or table captions to highlighted source evidence.
Reference nodes in PDF Preview connect recorded terms, values, and figure or table captions to your research files. Open a node to see the source file, its recorded location, and highlighted evidence.
New in v1.2.0: PDF evidence links, source previews, yellow highlights, and multiple-source switching. PDF.js ships with the skill and loads locally without an external CDN.
Follow a claim to its source#
- Open PDF Preview in the local Manuscript Workspace.
- Click the reference node beside a recorded finding, such as model accuracy 0.9.
- The source panel shows the filename and locator, with yellow highlighting for matched source text.
- Switch between linked sources to compare each file and its surrounding context.
What a source location can show#
| Source | Location and display |
|---|---|
| A recorded page and text passage, or a specified page region. Matching extractable text is highlighted in yellow. | |
| Plain text, Markdown, CSV | Line numbers and text excerpts from the original file, with context for comparison. |
| DOCX | Extractable text in paragraph order. Download the original to inspect its pagination and embedded figures. |
| Images and figures | A supported image preview with the recorded region identified. |
Accepted research inputs cover more formats than direct highlighting. Scanned PDFs, files without extractable text, and sources without precise locators need a page, region, or reviewable text extract. The workspace does not invent a matching passage or perform automatic OCR.
Keep references useful#
Nodes use evidence recorded for the manuscript, rather than assuming that matching numbers prove a source. Ask the agent to record the source file, exact supporting quote, and appropriate page, line, or region for important claims. One claim can link to multiple sources.
Add source references for accuracy 0.9, key terms, and figure or table captions.
Check each original file and record the exact quote and page, line, or region.
Flag unresolved locations instead of guessing or treating repeated text as a unique match.Existing evidence-map.csv files remain usable, with precise locations recorded in the optional evidence-locations.json. Older records with only filenames or general notes can be reviewed and enriched with locators. Updating the skill does not automatically map every claim in an existing manuscript. Recheck references when claims or source files change.
Missing and ambiguous locations#
Missing files, unmatched quotes, and multiple candidate locations remain explicit review states. Check the filename, source version, and locator, then ask the agent to correct the record. Without a reliable location, a reference must not be treated as verified evidence.