Conduct comprehensive, systematic literature reviews using multiple academic databases (PubMed, arXiv, bioRxiv, Semantic Scholar, etc.). This skill should be used when conducting systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, research synthesis, or comprehensive literature searches across biomedical, scientific, and technical domains. Creates professionally formatted markdown documents and PDFs with verified citations in multiple citation styles (APA, Nature, Vancouver, etc.).
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Conduct systematic, comprehensive literature reviews following rigorous academic methodology. Search multiple literature databases, synthesize findings thematically, verify all citations for accuracy, and generate professional output documents in markdown and PDF formats.
This skill uses the parallel-web skill (parallel-cli search) as the primary web search tool for broad academic literature discovery, with domain-filtered searches against specialized databases (PubMed, preprint servers, and biomedical resources) for targeted coverage. It provides specialized tools for citation verification, result aggregation, and document generation.
Use this skill when:
⚠️ MANDATORY: Every literature review MUST include at least 1-2 AI-generated figures using the scientific-schematics skill.
This is not optional. Literature reviews without visual elements are incomplete. Before finalizing any document:
How to generate figures:
How to generate schematics:
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "your diagram description" -o figures/output.pngThe AI will automatically:
When to add schematics:
For detailed guidance on creating schematics, refer to the scientific-schematics skill documentation.
Literature reviews follow a structured, multi-phase workflow:
Define Research Question: Use PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) for clinical/biomedical reviews
Establish Scope and Objectives:
Develop Search Strategy:
parallel-cli search) for initial scoping to quickly gauge the landscape before formal database searchesSet Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:
Multi-Database Search:
Select databases appropriate for the domain. Always start with parallel-web for broad academic coverage, then supplement with domain-specific databases.
Web-Based Academic Search (parallel-web skill — START HERE):
parallel-cli search with academic domain filtering for broad scholarly coverage# Academic-focused search across scholarly sources
parallel-cli search "your research topic" -q "keyword1" -q "keyword2" \
--json --max-results 10 --excerpt-max-chars-total 27000 \
--include-domains "scholar.google.com,arxiv.org,pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov,semanticscholar.org,biorxiv.org,medrxiv.org,ncbi.nlm.nih.gov,nature.com,science.org,ieee.org,acm.org,springer.com,wiley.com,cell.com,pnas.org,nih.gov" \
-o sources/litreview_<topic>-academic.json
# General search for supplementary sources
parallel-cli search "your research topic" -q "keyword1" -q "keyword2" \
--json --max-results 10 --excerpt-max-chars-total 27000 \
-o sources/litreview_<topic>-general.jsonparallel-cli extract to fetch full content from specific paper URLs or PDFs found in search resultsparallel-cli extract "https://arxiv.org/abs/XXXX.XXXXX" --jsonBiomedical & Life Sciences:
parallel-cli search --include-domains "pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov,ncbi.nlm.nih.gov"--include-domains "biorxiv.org,medrxiv.org"parallel-cli extract on a paper or database record URL to pull full text and reference listsGeneral Scientific Literature:
parallel-cli search --include-domains "arxiv.org,semanticscholar.org,scholar.google.com"parallel-cli extract any resulting URL for full contentSpecialized Databases:
parallel-cli search --include-domains and parallel-cli extract the matching record pagesDocument Search Parameters:
## Search Strategy
### Database: PubMed
- **Date searched**: 2024-10-25
- **Date range**: 2015-01-01 to 2024-10-25
- **Search string**:("CRISPR"[Title] OR "Cas9"[Title]) AND ("sickle cell"[MeSH] OR "SCD"[Title/Abstract]) AND 2015:2024[Publication Date]
- **Results**: 247 articlesRepeat for each database searched.
Export and Aggregate Results:
scripts/search_databases.py for post-processing:
python search_databases.py combined_results.json \
--deduplicate \
--format markdown \
--output aggregated_results.mdDeduplication:
python search_databases.py results.json --deduplicate --output unique_results.jsonTitle Screening:
Abstract Screening:
Full-Text Screening:
Create PRISMA Flow Diagram:
Initial search: n = X
├─ After deduplication: n = Y
├─ After title screening: n = Z
├─ After abstract screening: n = A
└─ Included in review: n = BExtract Key Data from each included study:
Assess Study Quality:
Organize by Themes:
Create Review Document from template:
cp assets/review_template.md my_literature_review.mdWrite Thematic Synthesis (NOT study-by-study summaries):
Example structure:
#### 3.3.1 Theme: CRISPR Delivery Methods
Multiple delivery approaches have been investigated for therapeutic
gene editing. Viral vectors (AAV) were used in 15 studies^1-15^ and
showed high transduction efficiency (65-85%) but raised immunogenicity
concerns^3,7,12^. In contrast, lipid nanoparticles demonstrated lower
efficiency (40-60%) but improved safety profiles^16-23^.Critical Analysis:
Write Discussion:
CRITICAL: All citations must be verified for accuracy before final submission.
Verify All DOIs:
python scripts/verify_citations.py my_literature_review.mdThis script:
Review Verification Report:
Format Citations Consistently:
references/citation_styles.md)Generate PDF:
python scripts/generate_pdf.py my_literature_review.md \
--citation-style apa \
--output my_review.pdfOptions:
--citation-style: apa, nature, chicago, vancouver, ieee--no-toc: Disable table of contents--no-numbers: Disable section numbering--check-deps: Check if pandoc/xelatex are installedReview Final Output:
Quality Checklist:
Access via parallel-cli (parallel-web skill):
# Search PubMed-indexed literature
parallel-cli search "CRISPR gene editing" \
--include-domains "pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov,ncbi.nlm.nih.gov" \
--json --max-results 25 -o sources/litreview_pubmed.json
# Construct complex queries with the PubMed Advanced Search Builder,
# then extract the resulting record pages
parallel-cli extract "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/XXXXXXXX/" --jsonSearch tips:
"sickle cell disease"[MeSH][Title], [Title/Abstract], [Author]2020:2024[Publication Date]Access via parallel-cli (parallel-web skill):
parallel-cli search "CRISPR sickle cell" \
--include-domains "biorxiv.org,medrxiv.org" \
--json --max-results 25 -o sources/litreview_preprints.jsonImportant considerations:
Target arXiv with parallel-cli search --include-domains "arxiv.org" and parallel-cli extract the abstract pages. Useful category filters when composing queries:
# Example search categories:
# q-bio.QM (Quantitative Methods)
# q-bio.GN (Genomics)
# q-bio.MN (Molecular Networks)
# cs.LG (Machine Learning)
# stat.ML (Machine Learning Statistics)
# Search format: category AND terms
search_query = "cat:q-bio.QM AND ti:\"single cell sequencing\""Target with parallel-cli search --include-domains "semanticscholar.org":
Search each database's public site with parallel-cli search --include-domains and parallel-cli extract the matching record pages:
ebi.ac.uk — chemical bioactivityuniprot.org — protein informationgenome.jp,kegg.jp — pathways and genescancer.sanger.ac.uk — cancer mutationsalphafold.ebi.ac.uk — predicted protein structuresrcsb.org — experimental structuresExpand search via citation networks:
Forward citations (papers citing key papers):
parallel-cli search to find papers citing a specific work:
parallel-cli search "papers citing [Author et al. Year] [paper title]" \
-q "citing" -q "[key author]" \
--json --max-results 10 --excerpt-max-chars-total 27000 \
--include-domains "scholar.google.com,semanticscholar.org,arxiv.org,pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov" \
-o sources/litreview_forward_citations.jsonBackward citations (references from key papers):
parallel-cli extract to fetch full text of key papers and extract their reference lists:
parallel-cli extract "https://doi.org/10.xxxx/yyyy" --jsonDetailed formatting guidelines are in references/citation_styles.md. Quick reference:
Always verify citations with verify_citations.py before finalizing.
Always prioritize influential, highly-cited papers from reputable authors and top venues. Quality matters more than quantity in literature reviews.
Use citation counts to identify the most impactful papers:
| Paper Age | Citation Threshold | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years | 20+ citations | Noteworthy |
| 0-3 years | 100+ citations | Highly Influential |
| 3-7 years | 100+ citations | Significant |
| 3-7 years | 500+ citations | Landmark Paper |
| 7+ years | 500+ citations | Seminal Work |
| 7+ years | 1000+ citations | Foundational |
Prioritize papers from higher-tier venues:
Prefer papers from:
For any topic, identify foundational work by:
parallel-cli search with academic domains for initial broad coverage before querying specialized databasessources/Complete workflow for a biomedical literature review:
# 1. Create review document from template
cp assets/review_template.md crispr_sickle_cell_review.md
# 2. Start with parallel-web for broad academic search
parallel-cli search "CRISPR Cas9 sickle cell disease gene therapy efficacy" \
-q "CRISPR" -q "sickle cell" -q "gene therapy" \
--json --max-results 10 --excerpt-max-chars-total 27000 \
--include-domains "scholar.google.com,arxiv.org,pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov,semanticscholar.org,biorxiv.org,nature.com,science.org,cell.com,pnas.org,nih.gov" \
-o sources/litreview_crispr_scd-academic.json
parallel-cli search "CRISPR sickle cell disease clinical trials treatment" \
-q "CRISPR" -q "sickle cell" \
--json --max-results 10 --excerpt-max-chars-total 27000 \
-o sources/litreview_crispr_scd-general.json
# 3. Search specialized databases with parallel-cli --include-domains
# - PubMed/bioRxiv/arXiv/Semantic Scholar via domain-filtered parallel-cli search
# - Export results in JSON format
# 4. Aggregate and process results (combine parallel-cli + database results)
python scripts/search_databases.py combined_results.json \
--deduplicate \
--rank citations \
--year-start 2015 \
--year-end 2024 \
--format markdown \
--output search_results.md \
--summary
# 5. Screen results and extract data
# - Use parallel-cli extract to fetch full content from promising URLs
# - Manually screen titles, abstracts, full texts
# - Extract key data into the review document
# - Organize by themes
# 6. Write the review following template structure
# - Introduction with clear objectives
# - Detailed methodology section
# - Results organized thematically
# - Critical discussion
# - Clear conclusions
# 7. Verify all citations
python scripts/verify_citations.py crispr_sickle_cell_review.md
# Review the citation report
cat crispr_sickle_cell_review_citation_report.json
# Fix any failed citations and re-verify
python scripts/verify_citations.py crispr_sickle_cell_review.md
# 8. Generate professional PDF
python scripts/generate_pdf.py crispr_sickle_cell_review.md \
--citation-style nature \
--output crispr_sickle_cell_review.pdf
# 9. Review final PDF and markdown outputsThis skill works seamlessly with other scientific skills:
parallel-cli search --include-domains against the database's public site, then parallel-cli extract the matching record pages (see "Database-Specific Search Guidance" above)When preparing a literature review for a specific journal, consult the venue-templates skill for writing style guidance:
venue_writing_styles.md: Master style comparison across venuesnature_science_style.md: Nature/Science flowing abstract style, story-driven structurecell_press_style.md: Cell Press graphical abstracts, Highlights formatmedical_journal_styles.md: NEJM/Lancet/JAMA structured abstracts, PRISMA complianceThese guides help adapt your review's tone, abstract format, and structure to match the target venue's expectations.
Scripts:
scripts/verify_citations.py: Verify DOIs and generate formatted citationsscripts/generate_pdf.py: Convert markdown to professional PDFscripts/search_databases.py: Process, deduplicate, and format search resultsReferences:
references/citation_styles.md: Detailed citation formatting guide (APA, Nature, Vancouver, Chicago, IEEE)references/database_strategies.md: Comprehensive database search strategiesAssets:
assets/review_template.md: Complete literature review template with all sectionsGuidelines:
Tools:
Citation Styles:
# parallel-cli (PRIMARY — for web search and URL extraction)
curl -fsSL https://parallel.ai/install.sh | bash
# Or: uv tool install "parallel-web-tools[cli]"
# Authenticate: parallel-cli authpip install requests # For citation verification# For PDF generation
brew install pandoc # macOS
apt-get install pandoc # Linux
# For LaTeX (PDF generation)
brew install --cask mactex # macOS
apt-get install texlive-xetex # LinuxCheck dependencies:
python scripts/generate_pdf.py --check-depsThis literature-review skill provides:
parallel-cli search for fast, broad academic literature discovery with scholarly domain filteringparallel-cli search/extract against PubMed, preprint servers, and specialized biomedical databasesConduct thorough, rigorous literature reviews that meet academic standards and provide comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge in any domain.
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