read-paper

Parse PDFs or arXiv IDs into structured markdown notes with figure analysis.

2|Updated Mar 20, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Gonglitian/agent-skills --skill read-paper-gonglitian
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: read-paper
Source: https://github.com/Gonglitian/agent-skills/tree/main/skills/read-paper
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Gonglitian/agent-skills --skill read-paper-gonglitian

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires pymupdf, Pillow, openai, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Read and summarize research papers (PDFs or arXiv IDs) into a structured markdown note that includes text summaries and figure analysis, saving time and enabling quick review.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Deep reading pipeline: locate, extract text, and extract figures via VLM for analysis.
  • Parallel, scalable workflow: standard (short papers) vs dynamic (long papers) with Overview and Chunk subagents.
  • Final output: papers/notes/<paper_id>/note.md with embedded figures, plus figure_descriptions.json for cross-validation.

Quick Start

Provide a paper PDF path or arXiv ID and I will generate a structured markdown note with figure analyses.

Frequently Asked Questions about read-paper

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I generate structured notes from an arXiv paper?

To generate structured notes from an arXiv paper, provide the arXiv ID to the Skill. It parses the PDF, extracts text and figures via VLM, and outputs a comprehensive markdown note with embedded figures.

Can I extract and analyze figures from a PDF automatically?

Yes, you can extract and analyze figures from a PDF automatically using the integrated VLM figure-description step. The pipeline extracts images, generates descriptions, and cross-validates them in a figure_descriptions.json file.

How do I summarize long research papers with parallel processing?

To summarize long research papers, the Skill deploys dynamic parallel subagents that divide the document into chunks. This parallel-processing workflow extracts text and figures efficiently before assembling the final markdown note.

Does this paper-reading tool work with local PDF files?

Yes, this paper-reading tool works with local PDF files by accepting a direct PDF path as input. It uses pymupdf to extract text and images, enabling you to create academic notes without needing an arXiv ID.

What is the best way to create academic notes with embedded figures?

The best way to create academic notes with embedded figures is using a VLM-powered deep reading pipeline. It parses the document, analyzes the figures, and assembles everything into a structured note.md file for quick review.

What are the limitations of using VLM for figure analysis in academic papers?

A limitation of using VLM for figure analysis is that the generated descriptions require cross-validation to ensure consistency. The pipeline addresses this by outputting a figure_descriptions.json file to verify accuracy.