Agent skill

Abstract Summarizer

by aipoch in aipoch/medical-research-skills

Transform lengthy academic papers into concise, structured 250-word abstracts.

MITAuto-check passedResearch & Science

Install Abstract Summarizer

skills CLI
$ npx skills add aipoch/medical-research-skills --skill abstract-summarizer -a claude-code

Project install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.

GitHub CLI
$ gh skill install aipoch/medical-research-skills abstract-summarizer --agent claude-code

Project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).

Manual copy
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aipoch/medical-research-skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/'scientific-skills/Academic Writing/abstract-summarizer' .claude/skills/abstract-summarizer && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.

Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/

Facts

Skill name
abstract-summarizer
GitHub stars
2k
Token cost
~3k tokens
SKILL.md length
1,152 words
Files
7 (incl. scripts, references)
Skills in repo
567
Repo updated
First seen
Licence
MIT

At a glance

Transform lengthy academic papers into concise, structured 250-word abstracts.

  • Works in 4 steps: Structured Abstract Generation → Quantitative Data Preservation → Multi-Disciplinary Adaptation → …
  • Research & Science work in your project
  • SKILL.md covers When to Use, Key Features, Dependencies and Example Usage, plus 16 more sections
  • Runs Python scripts from its folder; calls python

What it does

Abstract Summarizer is an agent skill from aipoch/medical-research-skills. Transform lengthy academic papers into concise, structured 250-word abstracts.

Its SKILL.md is about 3k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. The skill folder holds 9 other files, including scripts and reference files (for example `abstract-summarizer_audit_result_v2.json`, `references/abstract-templates.md` and `references/evaluation-rubric.md`).

It sits in Research & Science. The repository describes itself as: Hundreds of agent skills for medical research, including protocol design, data analysis, evidence insights, and academic writing. The licence is MIT.

When your agent uses it

  • Research & Science work in your project

Example prompts

  • “/abstract-summarizer”

Requirements

  • Python 3

Workflow steps

4 steps, taken from the step headings in SKILL.md.

  1. Structured Abstract Generation
  2. Quantitative Data Preservation
  3. Multi-Disciplinary Adaptation
  4. Batch Literature Processing

What it can do on your machine

Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 686e09d. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.

  • Tool permissions

    Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.

    From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.

  • Runs code

    Ships 1 file in scripts/ (Python), which the agent can run.

    Shell commands in SKILL.md call:

    • python

    From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.

  • Network

    No URLs in SKILL.md.

    From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.

  • Credentials

    Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.

    From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.

Context cost

Abstract Summarizer loads about 3k tokens when it runs, and up to ~5.9k if it reads all its reference files. Until then it costs about 25 tokens; SKILL.md has 1,152 words of instructions outside code blocks.

Always · name and description, kept in context so the agent knows when to use it
~25
When it runs · the whole SKILL.md, loaded when a task matches
~3k
With references · SKILL.md plus every file in references/, read only if the agent opens them
~5.9k

Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.

Safety

Auto-check passed

The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.

Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); the scripts in this folder are not scanned.

SKILL.md

The full file from aipoch/medical-research-skills at commit 686e09d, republished under its MIT licence (© aipoch). 1,152 words, ~3,021 tokens.

Download SKILL.mdSave it as .claude/skills/abstract-summarizer/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder). This skill also uses 6 other files; get the full folder from GitHub.
name
abstract-summarizer
description
Transform lengthy academic papers into concise, structured 250-word abstracts.
license
MIT
author
AIPOCH

Source: https://github.com/aipoch/medical-research-skills

Abstract Summarizer

When to Use

  • Use this skill when the task needs Transform lengthy academic papers into concise, structured 250-word abstracts.
  • Use this skill for academic writing tasks that require explicit assumptions, bounded scope, and a reproducible output format.
  • Use this skill when you need a documented fallback path for missing inputs, execution errors, or partial evidence.

Key Features

  • Scope-focused workflow aligned to: Transform lengthy academic papers into concise, structured 250-word abstracts.
  • Packaged executable path(s): scripts/main.py.
  • Reference material available in references/ for task-specific guidance.
  • Structured execution path designed to keep outputs consistent and reviewable.

Dependencies

  • Python: 3.10+. Repository baseline for current packaged skills.
  • pypdf2: unspecified. Declared in requirements.txt.
  • requests: unspecified. Declared in requirements.txt.

Example Usage

bash
cd "20260318/scientific-skills/Academic Writing/abstract-summarizer"
python -m py_compile scripts/main.py
python scripts/main.py --help

Example run plan:

  1. Confirm the user input, output path, and any required config values.
  2. Edit the in-file CONFIG block or documented parameters if the script uses fixed settings.
  3. Run python scripts/main.py with the validated inputs.
  4. Review the generated output and return the final artifact with any assumptions called out.

Implementation Details

See ## Workflow above for related details.

  • Execution model: validate the request, choose the packaged workflow, and produce a bounded deliverable.
  • Input controls: confirm the source files, scope limits, output format, and acceptance criteria before running any script.
  • Primary implementation surface: scripts/main.py.
  • Reference guidance: references/ contains supporting rules, prompts, or checklists.
  • Parameters to clarify first: input path, output path, scope filters, thresholds, and any domain-specific constraints.
  • Output discipline: keep results reproducible, identify assumptions explicitly, and avoid undocumented side effects.

Quick Check

Use this command to verify that the packaged script entry point can be parsed before deeper execution.

bash
python -m py_compile scripts/main.py

Audit-Ready Commands

Use these concrete commands for validation. They are intentionally self-contained and avoid placeholder paths.

bash
python -m py_compile scripts/main.py
python scripts/main.py --help

Workflow

  1. Confirm the user objective, required inputs, and non-negotiable constraints before doing detailed work.
  2. Validate that the request matches the documented scope and stop early if the task would require unsupported assumptions.
  3. Use the packaged script path or the documented reasoning path with only the inputs that are actually available.
  4. Return a structured result that separates assumptions, deliverables, risks, and unresolved items.
  5. If execution fails or inputs are incomplete, switch to the fallback path and state exactly what blocked full completion.

Overview

AI-powered academic summarization tool that condenses complex research papers into publication-ready structured abstracts while preserving scientific accuracy and key findings.

Key Capabilities:

  • Multi-Format Input: Process PDFs, text, URLs, or clipboard content
  • Structured Output: Background, Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusion format
  • Word Count Enforcement: Strict 250-word limit with validation
  • Quantitative Preservation: Retains key numbers, statistics, and effect sizes
  • Discipline Adaptation: Optimized for STEM, medical, and social sciences
  • Batch Processing: Summarize multiple papers efficiently

Core Capabilities

1. Structured Abstract Generation

Extract and condense key sections into standard format:

python
from scripts.summarizer import AbstractSummarizer

summarizer = AbstractSummarizer()

# Generate from PDF
abstract = summarizer.summarize(
    source="paper.pdf",
    format="structured",  # structured, plain, or executive
    word_limit=250,
    discipline="biomedical"  # affects terminology handling
)

print(abstract.text)

# Output: Background → Objective → Methods → Results → Conclusion

Output Structure:

**Background**: [Context and problem statement]
**Objective**: [Research goal and hypotheses]
**Methods**: [Study design, sample, key methods]
**Results**: [Primary findings with statistics]
**Conclusion**: [Implications and significance]

---
Word count: 247/250
2. Quantitative Data Preservation

Ensure numbers and statistics are accurately retained:

python

# Extract and verify quantitative results
quant_results = summarizer.extract_quantitative(
    text=paper_content,
    priority="high"  # keep all numbers vs. representative samples
)

# Validate against original
validation = summarizer.verify_accuracy(
    abstract=abstract,
    source=paper_content
)

Preserves:

  • Sample sizes (n=128)
  • Effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.82)
  • P-values (p < 0.001)
  • Confidence intervals (95% CI: [0.45, 0.78])
  • Percentages and absolute numbers
3. Multi-Disciplinary Adaptation

Adjust extraction strategy by field:

text

# Biomedical paper
python scripts/main.py --input paper.pdf --field biomedical

# Physics paper  
python scripts/main.py --input paper.pdf --field physics

# Social science paper
python scripts/main.py --input paper.pdf --field social-science

Field-Specific Handling:

FieldFocus AreasSpecial Handling
BiomedicalStudy design, statistical significance, clinical relevancePreserve P-values, effect sizes
PhysicsTheoretical framework, experimental setup, precisionKeep measurement uncertainties
CS/EngineeringAlgorithm performance, benchmarks, complexityRetain accuracy percentages
Social ScienceMethodology, sample demographics, theoretical contributionPreserve effect descriptions
4. Batch Literature Processing

Summarize multiple papers for systematic reviews:

python
from scripts.batch import BatchProcessor

batch = BatchProcessor()

# Process directory of papers
summaries = batch.summarize_directory(
    directory="literature_review/",
    output_format="csv",  # or json, markdown
    include_metadata=True  # title, authors, year
)

# Generate review matrix
matrix = batch.create_summary_matrix(summaries)
matrix.save("review_matrix.csv")

Output:

  • Individual abstract files
  • Comparative summary table
  • Key findings synthesis document

Quality Checklist

Pre-Summarization:

  • Source document is complete (not truncated)
  • PDF/text is machine-readable (not scanned images)
  • Document is research paper (not editorial, review, or news)

During Summarization:

  • All key sections identified (don't miss Results)
  • Quantitative data preserved accurately
  • Statistical significance indicators kept
  • No interpretation added beyond source

Post-Summarization:

  • Word count ≤ 250
  • All 5 sections present
  • CRITICAL: Numbers match source document
  • Standalone comprehensibility (makes sense without paper)
  • No citations or references in abstract
  • Technical terms used correctly

Before Use:

  • CRITICAL: Fact-check all numbers against original
  • Verify author names and affiliations correct
  • Ensure conclusions don't overstate findings
Show full SKILL.md (492 more words)Show less

Common Pitfalls

Accuracy Issues:

  • ❌ Misrepresenting statistics → "Significant improvement" when p>0.05

    • ✅ Preserve exact P-values and confidence intervals
  • ❌ Oversimplifying complex findings → "Drug works" vs nuanced efficacy data

    • ✅ Include effect sizes and confidence intervals
  • ❌ Missing adverse events → Only reporting positive results

    • ✅ Include safety data for clinical studies

Structure Issues:

  • ❌ Methods too detailed → Protocol steps in abstract

    • ✅ High-level study design only
  • ❌ Results without context → Numbers without interpretation

    • ✅ Brief clinical/scientific significance
  • ❌ Conclusion overstates → "Cure for cancer" from preclinical data

    • ✅ Match conclusion to evidence level

Word Count Issues:

  • ❌ Exceeding 250 words → Journal rejection

    • ✅ Strict enforcement with real-time counter
  • ❌ Too short (<150 words) → Missing key information

    • ✅ Minimum thresholds by section

References

Available in references/ directory:

  • abstract_templates.md - Discipline-specific abstract formats
  • quantitative_checklist.md - Number verification guidelines
  • disciplinary_guidelines.md - Field-specific conventions
  • journal_requirements.md - Word limits by publisher
  • example_abstracts.md - High-quality examples by type

Scripts

Located in scripts/ directory:

  • main.py - CLI interface for summarization
  • summarizer.py - Core abstract generation engine
  • extractor.py - PDF and text extraction
  • validator.py - Accuracy checking and verification
  • batch_processor.py - Multi-document processing
  • adapter.py - Journal-specific formatting

Limitations

  • Language: Optimized for English-language papers
  • Length: Papers >50 pages may need section-by-section processing
  • Complexity: Highly mathematical content may lose nuance
  • Figures: Cannot interpret images, charts, or graphs (text only)
  • Domain: Best for empirical research; struggles with pure theory papers
  • Context: May miss field-specific conventions without discipline flag

📝 Note: This tool generates draft abstracts for efficiency, but all summaries require human review before submission. Always verify that numbers, statistics, and conclusions accurately reflect the original paper.

Parameters

ParameterTypeDefaultDescription
--inputstrRequired
--textstrRequiredDirect text input
--urlstrRequiredURL to fetch paper from
--outputstrRequiredOutput file path
--formatstr'structured'Output format

Output Requirements

Every final response should make these items explicit when they are relevant:

  • Objective or requested deliverable
  • Inputs used and assumptions introduced
  • Workflow or decision path
  • Core result, recommendation, or artifact
  • Constraints, risks, caveats, or validation needs
  • Unresolved items and next-step checks

Error Handling

  • If required inputs are missing, state exactly which fields are missing and request only the minimum additional information.
  • If the task goes outside the documented scope, stop instead of guessing or silently widening the assignment.
  • If scripts/main.py fails, report the failure point, summarize what still can be completed safely, and provide a manual fallback.
  • Do not fabricate files, citations, data, search results, or execution outcomes.

Input Validation

This skill accepts requests that match the documented purpose of abstract-summarizer and include enough context to complete the workflow safely.

Do not continue the workflow when the request is out of scope, missing a critical input, or would require unsupported assumptions. Instead respond:

abstract-summarizer only handles its documented workflow. Please provide the missing required inputs or switch to a more suitable skill.

Response Template

Use the following fixed structure for non-trivial requests:

  1. Objective
  2. Inputs Received
  3. Assumptions
  4. Workflow
  5. Deliverable
  6. Risks and Limits
  7. Next Checks

If the request is simple, you may compress the structure, but still keep assumptions and limits explicit when they affect correctness.

© aipoch, MIT. Rendered from Markdown: HTML in the file is shown as text, images as links, and headings moved down two levels. Raw file

Files

SKILL.md and 6 other files (scripts, references) in scientific-skills/Academic Writing/abstract-summarizer of aipoch/medical-research-skills.

  • SKILL.md
  • abstract-summarizer_audit_result_v2.json
  • references/abstract-templates.md
  • references/evaluation-rubric.md
  • references/example-abstracts/cs-and-biomed-examples.md
  • requirements.txt
  • scripts/main.py

Open the folder on GitHubat commit 686e09d

Compare with similar skills

Abstract Summarizer next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.

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GitHub Deep Researchbytedance/deer-flow83k5 repos~1.3kAutomated safety check: PassMIT
Nature Paper CardYuan1z0825/nature-skills46k2 repos~2.1kAutomated safety check: PassApache-2.0
Read arXiv Paperkarpathy/nanochat58k2 repos~494Automated safety check: PassMIT
Content Research Writerweapp-tailwindcss/weapp-tailwindcss1.9k25 repos~3.5kAutomated safety check: PassMIT

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Questions about Abstract Summarizer

What does Abstract Summarizer do?

Transform lengthy academic papers into concise, structured 250-word abstracts. Abstract Summarizer is an agent skill from aipoch/medical-research-skills. Transform lengthy academic papers into concise, structured 250-word abstracts.

When should I use Abstract Summarizer?

Abstract Summarizer fits situations like: research & Science work in your project.

How do I install Abstract Summarizer in Claude Code?

Run `npx skills add aipoch/medical-research-skills --skill abstract-summarizer -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (scientific-skills/Academic Writing/abstract-summarizer in aipoch/medical-research-skills) into .claude/skills/abstract-summarizer in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.

How do I install Abstract Summarizer in Codex?

Run `npx skills add aipoch/medical-research-skills --skill abstract-summarizer -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (scientific-skills/Academic Writing/abstract-summarizer in aipoch/medical-research-skills) into .agents/skills/abstract-summarizer in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.

Can I use Abstract Summarizer in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?

Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add aipoch/medical-research-skills --skill abstract-summarizer -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/abstract-summarizer, .gemini/skills/abstract-summarizer, .github/skills/abstract-summarizer and .opencode/skills/abstract-summarizer in your project.

What does Abstract Summarizer need to run?

Going by SKILL.md and its folder, Abstract Summarizer needs Python for the scripts in its folder and the command-line tools its instructions call (python). Our summary lists: Python 3.

Does Abstract Summarizer access the network?

SKILL.md contains no URLs. Any network use would come from the scripts or tools the agent runs. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.

Is Abstract Summarizer safe to install?

Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. The check reads SKILL.md only: the scripts in the folder are not scanned, so read them before running anything.

What licence does Abstract Summarizer use?

Abstract Summarizer is published under the MIT licence (declared in SKILL.md). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.

How many tokens does Abstract Summarizer use?

About 3k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 12k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full. Its references folder adds about 2.9k tokens, read only when the agent opens those files.

What are the alternatives to Abstract Summarizer?

Skills that share tags, products or a category with Abstract Summarizer: Hypothesis Generation (spacering-net/codeg, 3.8k stars), GitHub Deep Research (bytedance/deer-flow, 83k stars), Nature Paper Card (Yuan1z0825/nature-skills, 46k stars) and Read arXiv Paper (karpathy/nanochat, 58k stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.

Who maintains Abstract Summarizer?

aipoch (a GitHub organization) maintains it in aipoch/medical-research-skills, which has 1,974 GitHub stars. The repository holds 567 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on September 17, 2026.

Source: aipoch/medical-research-skills on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.