labcrew

name	labcrew
description	Use LabCrew for graduate research workflows: read local papers, create literature cards, inspect Zotero items or collections, sync reading status, draft research proposals, and generate slide plans through the LabCrew MCP server or CLI.

LabCrew

Use this skill when the user asks Codex to work with LabCrew research workflows, papers, Zotero items, literature cards, Notion sync, reading status, proposals, or slides.

Preferred Access

Prefer the LabCrew MCP server when available. Its tools return a stable envelope:

{
  "ok": true,
  "data": {},
  "warnings": [],
  "artifacts": [],
  "error": null
}

If MCP tools are not available, use the CLI from the LabCrew workspace:

python -m labcrew read-paper path/to/paper.pdf
python -m labcrew make-card path/to/paper.pdf --cards
python -m labcrew zotero read ITEMKEY
python -m labcrew zotero plan --collection COLLECTIONKEY
python -m labcrew make-slides path/to/paper.pdf

Tool Selection

• read_paper: summarize a local PDF or text paper.
• deep_read_method: explain method details.
• make_card: create a literature card; pass save_to_cards=true only when the user wants a local card.
• read_zotero_item: read a Zotero item by key.
• plan_zotero_collection: suggest a next reading batch from a Zotero collection.
• update_reading_status: update reading status; pass sync_to_notion=true only when the user wants Notion updated.
• make_slides: create a slide plan or HTML slide deck.
• propose_research: generate a proposal scaffold from a paper or seed question.

Safety Defaults

• Do not sync to Notion unless the user explicitly asks.
• Do not create local card files unless the user explicitly asks.
• Do not update reading status unless the user explicitly asks.
• When reporting results, mention important warnings and artifact paths.
• If a tool returns ok=false, summarize error and suggest the smallest next check.

MCP Setup Hint

For local stdio MCP clients, the server entry point is:

python -m labcrew.mcp_server

If the package is installed with scripts, labcrew-mcp is also available.