| name | cgpt-manuscript-recovery |
| description | Inspect an academic manuscript or revision folder after a long break and produce a durable recovery map. Use when the user asks to recover manuscript status, find the live version, identify backups/submission files/reviewer letters/Turnitin reports, resume a revision, reconstruct next actions, or create a recovery handoff before editing a manuscript. |
CGPT Manuscript Recovery
Use this skill to turn a messy manuscript folder into a current-state map that another Codex thread can resume from without relying on chat history.
Workflow
-
Confirm the target folder.
- Use the user-provided path when available.
- If the path is ambiguous, inspect nearby folder names and choose the best match before asking.
- Keep the pass read-only unless the user explicitly asks for backups or edits.
-
Inventory candidate artifacts.
- Manuscripts:
.docx, .qmd, .tex, .md, .pdf.
- Submission package: cover letters, response letters, reviewer comments, decision letters, ScholarOne/Editorial Manager exports.
- Evidence: Turnitin reports, figures, tables, appendices,
.bib, data/code logs.
- Recovery aids:
HANDOFF.md, MEMORY.md, SESSION-LOG.md, STATUS-LOG.md, NEXT-CODEX-TASK.md, PROJECT_STATE.json, archive/, backups/.
-
Identify the live version.
- Prefer explicit handoff/status notes over filenames alone.
- If filenames conflict, compare modified times, file sizes, and nearby package files.
- Mark confidence as high, medium, or low. Explain the evidence.
-
Detect frozen or critical files.
- Treat submitted versions, coauthor-shared versions, reviewer letters, and files named
FINAL, SUBMIT, ACCEPTED, frozen, or backup as no-edit until backed up.
- If edits are requested after recovery, run
cgpt-backup first.
-
Produce a recovery map.
- Save it only when the user asks for a durable artifact; otherwise summarize in chat.
- Default filename:
CGPT-<project-or-folder>-RECOVERY-MAP-YYYY-MM-DD.md in the target folder.
- Use exact paths and dates, not vague references to the current thread.
Recovery Map Shape
# CGPT Recovery Map - <Project> - YYYY-MM-DD
## Current Verdict
- Live manuscript: <path> (<confidence>; evidence)
- Current stage: <draft/revision/submission/waiting/unknown>
- Do not edit without backup: <paths>
## Key Artifacts
| Role | Path | Modified | Notes |
|---|---|---:|---|
## Evidence Read
- <path>: <what it established>
## Risks and Ambiguities
- <issue> -> <how to resolve>
## Next Codex Task
1. <specific next action>
2. <specific verification>
Rules
- Do not invent project status from filenames alone.
- Do not edit manuscripts during recovery unless the user explicitly asks.
- Do not delete or rename old versions as cleanup.
- Prefer PowerShell
Get-ChildItem -LiteralPath and Get-Item -LiteralPath on Windows paths.
- If Google Drive or OneDrive sync paths are involved, verify file existence with literal paths before reporting.