cite-sources

name	cite-sources
version	1.0.0
description	Annotates agent output with inline source citations to eliminate hallucination risk. Ensures every metric, claim, and ticket reference is traceable to a specific data source.
category	quality-gates
trigger	Final step before delivering any agent output
autonomy	autonomous
portability	universal
complexity	basic
type	evaluation
inputs	[{"name":"agent_output","type":"structured-text","required":true,"description":"The full text output to annotate with source citations"}]
outputs	[{"name":"cited_output","type":"structured-text","description":"The agent output with inline citations added after every metric, claim, and ticket reference"}]
tools_optional	[]
model_compatibility	["claude","gpt-4","gemini","llama-3"]

Cite Sources

Purpose

Ensures every claim, metric, and recommendation in an agent's output is traceable to a specific data source. Eliminates hallucination risk by enforcing citation discipline.

When to Use

Apply as the last quality step before delivering output, after self-check or evaluate-output. Particularly important for reports, stakeholder updates, and any output containing numbers or ticket references.

Method

1. Scan the output for every number, percentage, metric, ticket reference, date, and factual claim.

2. For each item, attach a source citation using one of these formats:

   Claim Type	Citation Format
   Ticket counts	(source: query "sprint in openSprints() AND status = Done" returned N tickets)
   Story points	(source: story points field on PROJ-123)
   Percentages	(source: 18 done / 24 total = 75%)
   PR/CI data	(source: PR #456, status: merged)
   Dates	(source: sprint end date from tracker)
   Recommendations	(based on: 3 tickets blocked >5 days)

3. Citation placement — append inline after the claim:

   Velocity: 34 SP (source: sum of story points on Done tickets in Sprint 1)
   

4. Unsourceable claims — if a claim cannot be traced to provided data:

   • Mark it: (unverified — no data source available)
   • Or remove it and note: "Metric omitted: {what} — source data unavailable"
   • Never leave an unsourced numeric claim in the output.

5. Citation density target: every numeric value and every factual assertion should have a citation. Narrative summaries and recommendations need at least one supporting citation.

Output Format

The original agent output with inline citations added. No structural changes to the report format — citations are appended inline.

Error Handling

• No data sources provided: Note "Citations cannot be verified — no source data available" at the top of the output. Pass through unchanged.
• Mixed sourced/unsourced: Cite what can be cited, mark the rest (unverified). Never silently pass unsourced claims.
• Conflicting sources: If two data points disagree, note both: "Velocity: 34 SP (source A) vs 31 SP (source B) — discrepancy noted."