bibliography-builder

Extract in-text citations and generate APA, ASA, or Chicago bibliographies from a Zotero MCP library.

Updated Aug 23, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/nealcaren/sociology-writing-suite --skill bibliography-builder
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: bibliography-builder
Source: https://github.com/nealcaren/sociology-writing-suite/tree/main/plugins/sociology-writing-suite/skills/bibliography-builder
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/nealcaren/sociology-writing-suite --skill bibliography-builder

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill streamlines the creation of accurate bibliographies by extracting in-text citations, resolving them against a Zotero MCP library, flagging issues, and producing a formatted reference list.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Extraction & matching: Extract in-text citations and map them to Zotero items via MCP.
  • Issue detection: Identify missing items, ambiguities, and year mismatches to ensure completeness.
  • Formatted output: Generate APA, ASA, or Chicago style bibliographies ready for inclusion in manuscripts.
  • Use Case: You have a sociology manuscript with 30 citations; the skill outputs a complete, style-compliant bibliography and a report of any unresolved items.

Quick Start

Use the bibliography-builder skill on your manuscript file (e.g., manuscript.md) to generate a formatted bibliography. The skill reads citations, queries your Zotero library via MCP, and outputs a markdown bibliography in the selected style.

Frequently Asked Questions about bibliography-builder

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I generate a bibliography from in-text citations in a markdown manuscript?▼

Bibliography construction works by extracting in-text citations from your manuscript, resolving them against items in a Zotero MCP library, flagging missing entries or year mismatches, and outputting a formatted reference list in APA, ASA, or Chicago style.

Can I format citations in ASA style using my Zotero library?▼

Yes, you can format citations in ASA style using your Zotero library. The Skill queries Zotero items via MCP, matches them to your in-text citations, and produces a style-compliant ASA formatted bibliography for your manuscript.

Do I need a Zotero MCP server to build a reference list?▼

Yes, you need a Zotero MCP server to build a reference list. The Skill requires access to a Zotero MCP server and the project's YAML configuration to resolve in-text citations and map them to Zotero items.

What happens if citations in my manuscript do not match my Zotero items?▼

If citations do not match your Zotero items, the Skill performs issue detection to identify missing items, ambiguities, and year mismatches, flagging these unresolved entries in a report alongside the formatted bibliography.

What is the best way to automate reference formatting for a sociology manuscript?▼

The best way to automate reference formatting for a sociology manuscript is to use a Skill that extracts in-text citations, queries Zotero via MCP, and outputs APA, ASA, or Chicago style bibliographies tailored for social science workflows.