matchms

Process mass spectrometry spectra for similarity scoring and compound identification.

Updated Jul 1, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/jasrajtulsi/GRAD-SCOPE --skill matchms-jasrajtulsi
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: matchms
Source: https://github.com/jasrajtulsi/GRAD-SCOPE/tree/main/.claude/skills/matchms
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jasrajtulsi/GRAD-SCOPE --skill matchms-jasrajtulsi

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps metabolomics and mass spectrometry users standardize spectra, compare them reliably, and identify unknown compounds without manually stitching together preprocessing and scoring steps.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Spectrum Import and Export: Load and save MGF, MSP, mzML, mzXML, JSON, pickle, and USI-based spectra for interoperable workflows.
  • Filtering and Annotation: Harmonize metadata, normalize intensities, remove precursor peaks, add losses and fingerprints, and validate chemical annotations.
  • Similarity Scoring: Compare spectra with cosine, modified cosine, neutral-loss, fingerprint, and metadata-based scoring for library matching and candidate ranking.
  • Use Case: A researcher can clean a raw library, compare unknown spectra against references, and produce a ranked identification report with confidence metrics.

Quick Start

Use the matchms skill to load your spectra, run the recommended preprocessing pipeline, and return the top compound matches with scores.

Frequently Asked Questions about matchms

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I compare mass spectrometry spectra against a reference library for compound identification?

To identify compounds via mass spectrometry library searching, you import reference and unknown spectra in MGF, MSP, or mzML format, harmonize metadata, normalize intensities, and apply similarity scoring like cosine or modified cosine to rank compound matches.

Can I use mzML and mzXML files directly for metabolomics spectral similarity scoring?

Yes, mzML and mzXML files are supported natively for metabolomics spectral similarity workflows, allowing you to load raw mass spectrometry data directly, apply peak filtering, and calculate scores without manual format conversion.

What is the best way to preprocess mass spectrometry data before running library matching?

The best way to preprocess mass spectrometry data for library matching involves harmonizing metadata, normalizing intensities, removing precursor peaks, and adding neutral losses to ensure spectra are clean and comparable before calculating similarity scores.

Does metadata harmonization affect compound identification results in metabolomics workflows?

Metadata harmonization directly impacts compound identification by standardizing spectra annotations across diverse formats, ensuring that similarity scoring algorithms compare consistent peak data and reducing false positives during library searching.

What similarity metrics are available for ranking unknown spectra against reference libraries?

Available similarity metrics for ranking unknown spectra include cosine, modified cosine, neutral-loss, fingerprint, and metadata-based scoring, enabling comprehensive candidate ranking and confidence validation for compound identification.

How do I export processed mass spectrometry results after completing spectral similarity analysis?

After completing spectral similarity analysis, you can export processed mass spectrometry results to MGF, MSP, JSON, or pickle formats, ensuring interoperable workflows and reproducible analysis for downstream metabolomics research.