bib-validate

Validate BibTeX, BibLaTeX, RIS, EndNote XML, and CSL JSON bibliography files.

3|Updated Jan 17, 2026

Search Tags:#bibliography #validation #xml #bibtex #ris #csl

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/Mearman/marketplace --skill bib-validate

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: bib-validate
Source: https://github.com/Mearman/marketplace/tree/main/plugins/bib/skills/bib-validate
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Mearman/marketplace --skill bib-validate

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Validate bibliography files for syntax correctness, required fields, and format-specific rules to prevent data integrity issues in research workflows.

Core Features & Use Cases

Cross-format validation: checks BibTeX, BibLaTeX, RIS, EndNote XML, CSL JSON for syntax, field presence, and entry structure.
Error & warning reporting: detects missing required fields, unbalanced braces, invalid entry types, and malformed XML/JSON.
Practical use case: when preparing a manuscript, run validations on your .bib, .ris, or .xml references to catch errors before submission.

Quick Start

Run the validation script against your bibliography file to verify syntax, completeness, and format compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions about bib-validate

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I validate a BibTeX file for syntax errors and missing fields?▼

Bibliography validation checks syntax correctness and format compliance across BibTeX, BibLaTeX, RIS, EndNote XML, and CSL JSON files. It detects missing required fields, unbalanced braces, invalid entry types, and malformed XML or JSON to prevent data integrity issues.

What bibliography formats are supported for format compliance checking?▼

Supported bibliography formats include BibTeX, BibLaTeX, RIS, EndNote XML, and CSL JSON. The validator applies per-format checks for syntax, field presence, and entry structure, and includes auto-detection to identify the file format automatically.

Can I check RIS and EndNote XML files for malformed structure before manuscript submission?▼

Yes, RIS and EndNote XML files can be checked for malformed structure before manuscript submission. The validator detects malformed XML and JSON, missing required fields, and unbalanced braces, providing structured error and warning reporting to catch issues early.

How do I auto-detect and validate CSL JSON bibliography files?▼

To validate CSL JSON bibliography files, run the validation script which features auto-detection to identify the file format automatically. It then applies format-specific checks for syntax, field presence, and entry structure, reporting errors and warnings with structured exit codes.

Why does bibliography validation report unbalanced braces and invalid entry types?▼

Bibliography validation reports unbalanced braces and invalid entry types because they cause syntax errors and format compliance failures. Detecting these problems ensures data integrity in research workflows by preventing malformed references from causing processing failures downstream.