# Cite Before Answer

> Verify all claims are backed by evidence before producing a final answer. Use when completing research tasks, writing cited answers, or ensuring factual accuracy.

- Skill: `knoopx/cite-before-answer` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add knoopx/cite-before-answer`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/knoopx/cite-before-answer/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: knoopx (https://skillmd.com/u/knoopx)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/knoopx/cite-before-answer

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## Cite-before-answer checklist

Before typing your final answer, run this check internally:

1. Call evidence-list. Confirm it is non-empty.
2. For each claim in your planned answer, identify the evidence id(s) that support it.
3. If any claim has no id → either remove the claim, or go gather one more piece of evidence.
4. Prefix your final answer with `Citations: e1, e2, …` listing the ids you used.

## Rules

- A final answer with zero citations is invalid on research tasks
- NEVER guess — always back claims with evidence ids
- ALWAYS call evidence-list before answering
- If any claim has no evidence id, remove it or gather evidence first

## Example

```
Citations: e1, e2, e3

The Turing machine was invented in 1936 by Alan Turing [e1].
```

## Workflow

1. **List evidence**: Call evidence-list to see all saved evidence IDs
2. **Map claims**: Match each planned claim to a supporting evidence ID
3. **Fill gaps**: Remove uncited claims or gather more evidence
4. **Prefix answer**: Start with `Citations: e1, e2, …` listing all used IDs