matchms

Match LC-MS/MS query spectra against reference libraries using similarity metrics.

1|Updated Mar 19, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/JosephWoodall/noosphere --skill matchms-josephwoodall
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: matchms
Source: https://github.com/JosephWoodall/noosphere/tree/main/.agent/skills/matchms
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/JosephWoodall/noosphere --skill matchms-josephwoodall

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Identify compounds by spectral similarity matching between query spectra and reference libraries.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Import spectra from multiple formats and standardize metadata
  • Compute spectral similarity using CosineGreedy, CosineHungarian, ModifiedCosine, NeutralLossesCosine, and metadata-based metrics
  • Identify unknowns by library searching and ranking top hits across LC-MS/MS datasets

Quick Start

Load your spectral library and query data, then run a CosineGreedy-based search to retrieve top matches.

Frequently Asked Questions about matchms

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I identify unknown compounds in LC-MS/MS datasets using spectral matching?

Spectral matching identifies unknown compounds by computing similarity between query spectra and reference libraries. You load your query data, run a similarity metric like CosineGreedy, and rank top hits to identify compounds across LC-MS/MS datasets.

What similarity metrics are available for mass spectrometry library search?

Mass spectrometry library search supports CosineGreedy, CosineHungarian, ModifiedCosine, NeutralLossesCosine, and metadata-based FingerprintSimilarity metrics to compute spectral similarity and rank candidate matches.

How do I standardize metadata like precursor_mz and retention time for metabolomics processing?

Metabolomics data processing includes metadata harmonization to standardize precursor_mz, retention time, and inchikey during import, ensuring consistent spectral matching and accurate compound identification.

Can I screen unknowns in-context against large-scale metabolomics reference libraries?

Yes, large-scale metabolomics library searches support in-context screening of unknowns by ranking candidate matches across LC-MS/MS datasets using multiple spectral similarity metrics.

When should I use NeutralLossesCosine instead of ModifiedCosine for spectral matching?

NeutralLossesCosine and ModifiedCosine provide different spectral similarity calculations for metabolomics. Choose based on your dataset characteristics; both rank candidate matches during library searching to identify compounds.