
Paper Explain Figures
FreeGenerate readable reports for academic figures.
Free · Opens the source repo
What Paper Explain Figures does
Paper Explain Figures is a specialized tool designed to assist researchers and academics in interpreting figures from academic papers. By inputting one or more figure files, users receive a comprehensive Markdown report that elucidates the meaning behind each figure. The tool operates by converting figures to JPEG format for visual understanding and attempts to retrieve the source code that generated the figures, providing a deeper insight into their construction and significance.
The skill processes each figure independently, ensuring that the interpretation of one figure does not interfere with another. This is achieved through a concurrent execution model, allowing up to three figures to be analyzed simultaneously. The output report includes a visual interpretation, a source code analysis, and any user-provided insights, which can help clarify the user's focus or context regarding the figures.
This tool is particularly beneficial for researchers who need to present complex data in a more understandable format or for educators looking to explain academic content to students. The structured report format enhances readability and ensures that critical information is clearly conveyed, making it easier to grasp the essential elements of the figures.
However, it is important to note that this skill is not intended for users looking to modify figures or source code; it strictly adheres to a read-only policy, ensuring the integrity of the original files throughout the process. Users seeking to alter or edit images or code should consider other tools that cater to those needs.
When to use it
Use this skill when you need to interpret and report on figures from academic papers, especially in research or educational settings.
When not to use it
This skill is not suitable for users who want to edit figures or source code, as it strictly maintains a read-only approach.
What you can build with it
Research Paper Analysis
When analyzing figures from a research paper, this skill can help generate a clear report that explains each figure's meaning.
Teaching Aid
Educators can use this tool to create understandable reports for students, breaking down complex figures into simpler explanations.
Data Presentation
Researchers preparing presentations can utilize the generated reports to effectively communicate the significance of their figures.
How to install Paper Explain Figures
View source1. Install with the skills CLI
npx skills add huangwb8/chineseresearchlatex/paper-explain-figures --agent claude-code2. Or install it manually
Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.
Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs
Inside SKILL.md
Written by huangwb8paper-explain-figures
BenszAPI 任务工作区
本 Skill 的新任务中间文件统一写入 ./.bensz-api/task-{yyyymmdd-hhmm}-{简短描述}/{skill名}/input|output|log/。同一任务复用一个任务根目录;多 Skill 协作才创建 shared/。正式交付物不写入该目录,历史隐藏目录只允许显式兼容读取、迁移或清理。
与 bensz-collect-bugs 的协作约定
- 因本 skill 设计缺陷导致的 bug,先用
bensz-collect-bugs规范记录到~/.bensz-skills/bugs/,不要直接修改用户本地已安装的 skill 源码;若有 workaround,先记 bug,再继续完成任务。 - 只有用户明确要求“report bensz skills bugs”等公开上报时,才用本地
gh上传新增 bug 到huangwb8/bensz-bugs;不要 pull / clone 整个仓库。
目标
对用户提供的 1 张或多张论文 Figure:
- 将 Figure 转为
.jpg(用于视觉理解;转换失败则保留原图并显式说明) - 在 Figure 附近自动检索“生成该图的源代码”(可能找不到;找不到则为
NULL) - 综合三类信息输出可读性强的报告:
- 理解 1:视觉理解(从 jpg/原图直接读图)
- 理解 2:源代码理解(以代码为准;代码决定图的真实含义)
- 理解 3:用户人工解读(帮助猜测用户关注点;可能有误)
强约束(必须遵守)
- 目录管理硬约束:所有中间产物必须托管在当前工作目录下的隐藏目录
.bensz-api/task-{yyyymmdd-hhmm}-{简短描述}/paper-explain-figures/(该目录名在脚本中硬编码;不允许改到别处)。 - 运行时隔离硬约束:runner / 图片转换器产生的 HOME、TMP、XDG cache/state/config 等运行时辅助文件,也必须重定向并收纳到
.bensz-api/task-{yyyymmdd-hhmm}-{简短描述}/paper-explain-figures/内。 - 只读约束:全程只读访问用户的 Figure 与源代码文件;严禁修改它们(包括格式化/重写/覆盖)。
输入
用户会输入 1 个或多个信息:
- 1 个或多个 figure 文件的绝对路径
- 可选:对 figure 的人工解读(全局或按 figure 分配)
- 可选:用户显式给出源代码文件绝对路径(优先作为“候选入口”)
输出
- 最终报告:默认输出到当前工作目录
paper-explain-figures_report.md - 所有中间文件与日志:落到
.bensz-api/task-{yyyymmdd-hhmm}-{简短描述}/paper-explain-figures/(按 run/job 分目录保存)
标准报告格式(每张图必须按此结构输出)
每张图在同一个 Markdown 文件中以 ## 级标题分隔:
# Figures
## Figure: xxx
> 文件位置: xxx
> 源代码: xx.R 第xxx-xxx行
### 图表核心含义
...
### 变量定义
| 元素 | 定义 |
| --- | --- |
| ... | ... |
### 解读要点
1. ...
2. ...
### 解释
...
### 科学价值
...
技术路径(进程级隔离 + 并发上限)
为保证“每张图的解读相互独立”,本 skill 采用 worker 脚本在 shell 中启动独立进程执行:
codex exec "..."(推荐:更容易做本地文件读取 + 视觉理解)claude -p "..."(可选)
并发上限默认 3(可在 paper-explain-figures/config.yaml 调整)。
使用方式(建议)
在当前目录运行(推荐,产物会落到当前目录与 .bensz-api/task-{yyyymmdd-hhmm}-{简短描述}/paper-explain-figures/):
python3 paper-explain-figures/scripts/paper_explain_figures.py \
--fig /abs/path/to/figure1.png \
--fig /abs/path/to/figure2.pdf \
--note "你对这些图的关注点/背景解释(可选)"
如果该 skill 已做系统级安装(路径因平台而异,以下仅示例):
python3 ~/.codex/skills/paper-explain-figures/scripts/paper_explain_figures.py --fig /abs/path/to/figure.png
常用参数(按需):
# 启用并行(默认串行,减少 API 限流/封禁风险)
python3 paper-explain-figures/scripts/paper_explain_figures.py --fig /abs/path/to/figure.png --parallel
# 并发上限(默认 3;也可改 config.yaml:defaults.max_parallel)
python3 paper-explain-figures/scripts/paper_explain_figures.py --fig /abs/path/to/figure.png --parallel --max-parallel 3
# 指定 runner(codex/claude/local)
python3 paper-explain-figures/scripts/paper_explain_figures.py --fig /abs/path/to/figure.png --runner codex
⚠️ 安全提示:--runner shell 已禁用,因为它无法对“.bensz-api/task-{yyyymmdd-hhmm}-{简短描述}/paper-explain-figures 之外绝不泄露中间文件”提供严格保证。
清理方式
在触发目录执行:
rm -rf .bensz-api/task-{yyyymmdd-hhmm}-{简短描述}/paper-explain-figures
Frequently asked questions about Paper Explain Figures
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