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validate-bib

Cross-reference LaTeX citations with bibliography entries to detect missing and unused references.

1|Updated Mar 14, 2026
Search Tags:#bibliography#citations#quality#validate#latex#bibtex
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/tesseract-ripple/claude-research-config --skill validate-bib-tesseract-ripple
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: validate-bib
Source: https://github.com/tesseract-ripple/claude-research-config/tree/main/skills/validate-bib
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/tesseract-ripple/claude-research-config --skill validate-bib-tesseract-ripple

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Cross-reference all citations in LaTeX files against bibliography entries to surface missing entries, unused references, and potential typos.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Missing entries check (CRITICAL): citations in .tex that are not found in the .bib file.
  • Unused entries check (informational): bibliography entries not cited anywhere in the project.
  • Quality & consistency checks: ensure required bib fields (author, title, year, journal/booktitle) are present, verify year plausibility, and detect duplicate keys or formatting issues.
  • Use Case: ensure a thesis with hundreds of references is complete and correct before submission.

Quick Start

Run the validation on your LaTeX project by pointing the skill at your main .tex file or directory containing .tex and .bib files.

Frequently Asked Questions about validate-bib

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I find missing citations in my LaTeX project?▼

To find missing LaTeX citations, cross-reference every citation command in your .tex files against entries in your .bib file. This identifies any reference key used in the text that lacks a corresponding bibliography entry.

How do I check for unused bibliography entries in BibTeX?▼

Checking for unused bibliography entries involves scanning all .tex files for citation commands and comparing them against your .bib keys. Any entry not cited anywhere in the project is flagged as unused.

How do I validate required fields in a BibTeX file?▼

Validating BibTeX fields requires parsing the .bib file to ensure required fields like author, title, year, and journal or booktitle are present, while also verifying year plausibility and detecting duplicate keys.

Can I validate citations across multiple LaTeX and BibTeX files?▼

Yes, you can validate citations across multi-file projects. The tool parses common citation commands across all .tex files and cross-references them with .bib entries, reporting findings across the entire workspace.

What is the best way to fix bibliography quality issues before thesis submission?▼

The best way to fix bibliography quality issues is to run a comprehensive validation that groups results by severity, checking for missing references, unused entries, duplicate keys, and potential typos across your project.

Why does LaTeX show undefined references despite having a BibTeX entry?▼

Undefined references can occur due to potential typos in citation keys or duplicate entries in the .bib file. Validating your LaTeX project cross-references citations to detect these formatting and consistency issues.

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