# Quality Gate

> Verify that paper claims match analysis outputs before submission.

- Skill: `fdu-ins/quality-gate` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add fdu-ins/quality-gate`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/fdu-ins/quality-gate/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: FDU-INS (https://skillmd.com/u/fdu-ins)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/fdu-ins/quality-gate

---


# Quality Gate: Paper ↔ Analysis Consistency

Cross-check every numerical claim in the paper against analysis output files. Reports only — never edits.

**Input:** `$ARGUMENTS` — path to the paper draft, or leave blank to auto-detect.

---

## Step 1: Locate the Paper Draft

If `$ARGUMENTS` is provided, use that path. Otherwise glob for:
- `manuscripts/**/*.tex`
- `manuscripts/**/*.qmd`
- `manuscripts/**/*.md`

If multiple drafts are found, use `request_user_input` in Plan mode for a single-choice prompt when there are 2-3 clear candidates; otherwise ask conversationally. For the question UI:
- header: "Paper"
- question: "Multiple drafts found. Which manuscript should I check?"
- options: list up to 3 found files (label: filename, description: path and file size). If more than 3, ask conversationally instead.

---

## Step 2: Extract Numerical Claims

Read the full manuscript and extract every quantitative claim:

- **Coefficients and standard errors** — e.g., "The effect is 0.23 (SE = 0.04)"
- **Sample sizes** — e.g., "N = 4,521 observations"
- **Percentages and proportions** — e.g., "42% of firms..."
- **Means, medians, ranges** — e.g., "average income of $45,000"
- **Table and figure references** — e.g., "Table 2 shows...", "as seen in Figure 1"
- **p-values and significance statements** — e.g., "statistically significant at the 1% level"

Record location (section, paragraph, line number if available) for each claim.

---

## Step 3: Inventory Output Files

Glob for all output files:
- `output/tables/**/*.tex` — regression and summary tables
- `output/tables/**/*.html` — HTML versions
- `output/figures/**/*.pdf`, `output/figures/**/*.png` — figures
- `output/**/*.rds`, `output/**/*.pkl`, `output/**/*.parquet`, `output/**/*.csv` — saved objects

Build an inventory with file paths and sizes.

---

## Step 4: Spawn Verifier Subagent

Read `agents/verifier.md` before spawning the verifier subagent. Use it as the base verification protocol.

Spawn a `default` subagent to perform the heavy verification work. Pass it:
- The full list of numerical claims extracted in Step 2 (with locations)
- The output file inventory from Step 3
- The paper draft path
- The bibliography file path

```
Subagent prompt: "You are the verifier agent. Paper draft: [path].
Bibliography: [bib path].

CLAIMS TO VERIFY:
[paste the full claims list from Step 2]

OUTPUT FILE INVENTORY:
[paste the inventory from Step 3]

Verify each claim against the output files. Then do a reverse check —
find output files NOT referenced in the paper. Then check all citation
keys against the bibliography. Follow the verifier agent instructions
and return your full verification report."
```

After the verifier completes, collect its results:
- Claim verification table (MATCHED / UNVERIFIED / MISSING FILE per claim)
- Unreferenced output files list
- Missing citation keys

---

## Step 5: Save Report

Save to `quality_reports/quality_gate_[YYYY-MM-DD]_[paper-name].md`:

```markdown
# Quality Gate Report: [Paper Name]
**Date:** [YYYY-MM-DD]
**Paper:** [file path]

## Verdict: PASS / CONDITIONAL PASS / FAIL

PASS = all claims matched, no missing citations, no unexplained unreferenced outputs
CONDITIONAL PASS = minor unverified claims or informational unreferenced outputs
FAIL = unverified critical claims or missing citations

---

## Claim Verification

| Claim | Location | Found in Output? | Source File | Status |
|-------|----------|-----------------|-------------|--------|
| β = 0.23 (SE = 0.04) | Section 4, para 2 | Yes | output/tables/main_regs.tex | MATCHED |
| N = 4,521 | Table 2 note | Yes | output/tables/main_regs.tex | MATCHED |
| 42% of firms | Intro, para 1 | No | — | UNVERIFIED |

---

## Unreferenced Outputs

Files in output/ not referenced in the paper:

| File | Size | Recommended Action |
|------|------|-------------------|
| output/tables/robustness_het.tex | 4.2 KB | Reference in Section 7 or explain exclusion |

---

## Missing Citations

| Key | Used At | Status |
|-----|---------|--------|
| SmithJones2021 | Section 3, para 1 | NOT IN BIBLIOGRAPHY — CRITICAL |

---

## Summary

- Claims verified: N / M total
- Claims unverified: K (see table above)
- Unreferenced outputs: J
- Missing citations: L

## Recommended Actions (Priority Order)
1. [BLOCKING] ...
2. [RECOMMENDED] ...
```

---

## Key Rules

- **Report only — never edit.** All fixes are the user's responsibility after reviewing the report.
- **Tolerance:** For inline numbers, a claim is MATCHED if the value appears in any output file within reasonable display rounding (±0.005 for 2-decimal numbers).
- **False positives are OK.** Flag uncertainties as UNVERIFIED rather than guessing MATCHED.
- **Missing files are always BLOCKING** — a figure reference pointing to a non-existent file is a FAIL.