{ "id": "reading-digest", "slug": "reading-digest", "name": "Reading Digest", "tagline": "This week's papers worth reading, each explained in three lines.", "description": "Finds new papers and long-form pieces on your topics, picks the few that matter, and explains each in plain language with an honest caveat.", "category": "Research", "platforms": [ "Grok Bot", "Muse", "Dots" ], "schedule": "Weekly, Friday 5:00 PM", "outputType": "digest", "previewImage": "previews/reading-digest.png", "installSteps": { "grokBot": { "label": "Grok Bot", "status": "verified", "steps": [ "Copy skills/reading-digest/SKILL.md (the whole file, including the --- header).", "Open a one-to-one chat with your Grok Bot and paste the prompt below, with the file where it says.", "When the Bot asks, connect: Readwise, Instapaper, or Notion (optional). It shows a connect card right in the chat.", "Try it once now: \"Run Reading Digest.\"", "The routine shows in the Bot's info pane (click the Bot's name in the chat header) under Routines, where you can pause or edit it." ], "prompt": "Save the following as a skill called \"Reading Digest\". Then create a routine that runs it every Friday at 5:00 PM and posts the result here. Before the first run, ask me the setup questions in the skill and remember my answers.\n\n", "note": "Skills and routines are saved by asking the Bot; no settings to dig through.", "promptFull": "Save the following as a skill called \"Reading Digest\". Then create a routine that runs it every Friday at 5:00 PM and posts the result here. Before the first run, ask me the setup questions in the skill and remember my answers.\n\n---\nname: reading-digest\ndescription: Use when the user asks for a reading digest, paper digest, \"what's new in {field}\", a weekly roundup of research papers, newsletters, or saved articles, or when a scheduled reading routine runs. Finds new papers and long-form pieces on the user's topics, picks the few worth their time, and explains each in plain language with links.\nmetadata:\n id: reading-digest\n version: \"1.0.0\"\n author: BotPlaza\n---\n\n# Reading Digest\n\n> This week's papers worth reading, each explained in three lines.\n\n## What it does\n\nThe handful of papers and essays from this week worth your time, each explained in three plain sentences, so you can decide what to actually read.\n\n## When to use\n\n- \"What's new in {field} this week\", \"summarize this week's papers on {topic}\", \"go through my saved articles\".\n- A weekly routine (default: Friday 5:00 PM).\n\n## Requires\n\nWeb search and web access (arXiv, journals, preprint servers). Optional: a read-later app (Readwise, Instapaper, Notion) to save picks.\n\n## Schedule\n\nDefault: Weekly, Friday 5:00 PM. Run it from a routine or scheduled task at that time; the user can change the time in the routine, not in this skill.\n\n## Inputs\n\n| Setting | Default | Notes |\n|---|---|---|\n| `topics` | ask | E.g. \"LLM agents\", \"CRISPR delivery\", \"urban planning\". Up to 5. |\n| `sources` | preprints, journals, quality long-form | Toggle: arXiv, bioRxiv/medRxiv, SSRN, journals, newsletters, the user's read-later list, specific blogs. |\n| `window` | last 7 days | |\n| `count` | 5 | Items in the digest. |\n| `level` | informed non-specialist | Or `expert` (keep jargon, add methods detail) or `beginner`. |\n| `include_skipped` | yes | A short \"also out this week\" list. |\n\n## Steps\n\n1. **Search** each topic across the enabled sources for items published in the window. Collect title, authors, venue, date, and link.\n2. **Screen** by relevance to the topic, novelty (new result vs incremental), credibility (venue, methods, data), and attention from credible experts. Note when something is a preprint and not peer reviewed.\n3. **Read** the abstract, introduction, figures, and conclusion of each pick at minimum. For articles, read the whole piece.\n4. **Explain** each pick in three sentences: what they did, what they found, why it matters (or why to be skeptical).\n5. **Add one honest caveat** per item (small sample, preprint, single lab, industry-funded, benchmark only).\n6. **Write** in the format below, ordered by how much the user should care.\n\n## Output format\n\n```markdown\n# Reading digest \u00b7 {topics} \u00b7 week of {date}\n*{N} items reviewed, {count} picked*\n\n## 1. {Title}\n{Authors (first author et al.)} \u00b7 {Venue or \"Preprint\"} \u00b7 {date} \u00b7 ~{X} min read\n**What:** {one sentence} **Found:** {one sentence} **Why it matters:** {one sentence}\n*Caveat: {one line}*\n[Read]({url})\n\n## Also out this week\n- [{Title}]({url}), {one line}\n```\n\n## Edge cases\n\n- **Nothing notable:** say so and list the 2 or 3 closest items instead of padding.\n- **Paywalled:** use the abstract and say so; link a free version if the authors posted one.\n- **Retractions or major corrections** to anything in past digests: lead with them.\n\n## Boundaries\n\nSummarize and link; don't reproduce full text. Never state a finding more strongly than the authors do." }, "muse": { "label": "Muse", "status": "partially-verified", "steps": [ "Copy skills/reading-digest/SKILL.md.", "Open Muse and paste the prompt below with the file where it says.", "Try it: \"Run Reading Digest.\" Muse has no skill install for outside skills, so it follows the pasted instructions.", "Ask Muse to make it a recurring task every Friday at 5:00 PM. It then shows under the Assistant icon > Upcoming.", "Muse Code (developer CLI): unzip downloads/reading-digest.zip, run `muse skills validate ./reading-digest` then `muse skills install ./reading-digest --scope user`. Optional: add the BotPlaza connector (https://botplaza.vercel.app/api/mcp) under mcpServers in ~/.config/muse/settings.json." ], "sourceUrl": "https://www.meta.com/help/superintelligence/1484325780075655/", "note": "Recurring tasks and Muse Code skill install are documented by Meta. Installing outside skills in the Muse app is not.", "prompt": "Here are instructions for a task called \"Reading Digest\". Follow them whenever I say \"Run Reading Digest\". Ask me the setup questions first and remember my answers.\n\n\n\nIf you can save this as a skill, please do.", "promptFull": "Here are instructions for a task called \"Reading Digest\". Follow them whenever I say \"Run Reading Digest\". Ask me the setup questions first and remember my answers.\n\n---\nname: reading-digest\ndescription: Use when the user asks for a reading digest, paper digest, \"what's new in {field}\", a weekly roundup of research papers, newsletters, or saved articles, or when a scheduled reading routine runs. Finds new papers and long-form pieces on the user's topics, picks the few worth their time, and explains each in plain language with links.\nmetadata:\n id: reading-digest\n version: \"1.0.0\"\n author: BotPlaza\n---\n\n# Reading Digest\n\n> This week's papers worth reading, each explained in three lines.\n\n## What it does\n\nThe handful of papers and essays from this week worth your time, each explained in three plain sentences, so you can decide what to actually read.\n\n## When to use\n\n- \"What's new in {field} this week\", \"summarize this week's papers on {topic}\", \"go through my saved articles\".\n- A weekly routine (default: Friday 5:00 PM).\n\n## Requires\n\nWeb search and web access (arXiv, journals, preprint servers). Optional: a read-later app (Readwise, Instapaper, Notion) to save picks.\n\n## Schedule\n\nDefault: Weekly, Friday 5:00 PM. Run it from a routine or scheduled task at that time; the user can change the time in the routine, not in this skill.\n\n## Inputs\n\n| Setting | Default | Notes |\n|---|---|---|\n| `topics` | ask | E.g. \"LLM agents\", \"CRISPR delivery\", \"urban planning\". Up to 5. |\n| `sources` | preprints, journals, quality long-form | Toggle: arXiv, bioRxiv/medRxiv, SSRN, journals, newsletters, the user's read-later list, specific blogs. |\n| `window` | last 7 days | |\n| `count` | 5 | Items in the digest. |\n| `level` | informed non-specialist | Or `expert` (keep jargon, add methods detail) or `beginner`. |\n| `include_skipped` | yes | A short \"also out this week\" list. |\n\n## Steps\n\n1. **Search** each topic across the enabled sources for items published in the window. Collect title, authors, venue, date, and link.\n2. **Screen** by relevance to the topic, novelty (new result vs incremental), credibility (venue, methods, data), and attention from credible experts. Note when something is a preprint and not peer reviewed.\n3. **Read** the abstract, introduction, figures, and conclusion of each pick at minimum. For articles, read the whole piece.\n4. **Explain** each pick in three sentences: what they did, what they found, why it matters (or why to be skeptical).\n5. **Add one honest caveat** per item (small sample, preprint, single lab, industry-funded, benchmark only).\n6. **Write** in the format below, ordered by how much the user should care.\n\n## Output format\n\n```markdown\n# Reading digest \u00b7 {topics} \u00b7 week of {date}\n*{N} items reviewed, {count} picked*\n\n## 1. {Title}\n{Authors (first author et al.)} \u00b7 {Venue or \"Preprint\"} \u00b7 {date} \u00b7 ~{X} min read\n**What:** {one sentence} **Found:** {one sentence} **Why it matters:** {one sentence}\n*Caveat: {one line}*\n[Read]({url})\n\n## Also out this week\n- [{Title}]({url}), {one line}\n```\n\n## Edge cases\n\n- **Nothing notable:** say so and list the 2 or 3 closest items instead of padding.\n- **Paywalled:** use the abstract and say so; link a free version if the authors posted one.\n- **Retractions or major corrections** to anything in past digests: lead with them.\n\n## Boundaries\n\nSummarize and link; don't reproduce full text. Never state a finding more strongly than the authors do.\n\nIf you can save this as a skill, please do." }, "dots": { "label": "Dots", "status": "partially-verified", "steps": [ "Copy skills/reading-digest/SKILL.md.", "Paste the prompt below into your dot's conversation in ChatGPT, with the file where it says.", "Wait for the dot to confirm the schedule, time zone and end date.", "Optional: in ChatGPT, Plugins > + > Add custom MCP server with https://botplaza.vercel.app/api/mcp (no authentication). Dots can use installed plugins, but OpenAI hasn't said whether that includes custom ones.", "Business, Enterprise, Healthcare and Edu workspaces can also upload downloads/reading-digest.zip under Plugins > Skills > Create > Upload from your computer." ], "sourceUrl": "https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/dots", "note": "Dots are available on ChatGPT Pro, Business Premium and Enterprise, and are still rolling out. Pasting instructions in and scheduled check-ins are documented.", "prompt": "Here are instructions for a task called \"Reading Digest\". Take this on as an ongoing responsibility and follow them whenever I say \"Run Reading Digest\". Ask me the setup questions first and remember my answers.\n\n\n\nCheck in every Friday at 5:00 PM Eastern time for the next 3 months, and confirm the schedule back to me.", "promptFull": "Here are instructions for a task called \"Reading Digest\". Take this on as an ongoing responsibility and follow them whenever I say \"Run Reading Digest\". Ask me the setup questions first and remember my answers.\n\n---\nname: reading-digest\ndescription: Use when the user asks for a reading digest, paper digest, \"what's new in {field}\", a weekly roundup of research papers, newsletters, or saved articles, or when a scheduled reading routine runs. Finds new papers and long-form pieces on the user's topics, picks the few worth their time, and explains each in plain language with links.\nmetadata:\n id: reading-digest\n version: \"1.0.0\"\n author: BotPlaza\n---\n\n# Reading Digest\n\n> This week's papers worth reading, each explained in three lines.\n\n## What it does\n\nThe handful of papers and essays from this week worth your time, each explained in three plain sentences, so you can decide what to actually read.\n\n## When to use\n\n- \"What's new in {field} this week\", \"summarize this week's papers on {topic}\", \"go through my saved articles\".\n- A weekly routine (default: Friday 5:00 PM).\n\n## Requires\n\nWeb search and web access (arXiv, journals, preprint servers). Optional: a read-later app (Readwise, Instapaper, Notion) to save picks.\n\n## Schedule\n\nDefault: Weekly, Friday 5:00 PM. Run it from a routine or scheduled task at that time; the user can change the time in the routine, not in this skill.\n\n## Inputs\n\n| Setting | Default | Notes |\n|---|---|---|\n| `topics` | ask | E.g. \"LLM agents\", \"CRISPR delivery\", \"urban planning\". Up to 5. |\n| `sources` | preprints, journals, quality long-form | Toggle: arXiv, bioRxiv/medRxiv, SSRN, journals, newsletters, the user's read-later list, specific blogs. |\n| `window` | last 7 days | |\n| `count` | 5 | Items in the digest. |\n| `level` | informed non-specialist | Or `expert` (keep jargon, add methods detail) or `beginner`. |\n| `include_skipped` | yes | A short \"also out this week\" list. |\n\n## Steps\n\n1. **Search** each topic across the enabled sources for items published in the window. Collect title, authors, venue, date, and link.\n2. **Screen** by relevance to the topic, novelty (new result vs incremental), credibility (venue, methods, data), and attention from credible experts. Note when something is a preprint and not peer reviewed.\n3. **Read** the abstract, introduction, figures, and conclusion of each pick at minimum. For articles, read the whole piece.\n4. **Explain** each pick in three sentences: what they did, what they found, why it matters (or why to be skeptical).\n5. **Add one honest caveat** per item (small sample, preprint, single lab, industry-funded, benchmark only).\n6. **Write** in the format below, ordered by how much the user should care.\n\n## Output format\n\n```markdown\n# Reading digest \u00b7 {topics} \u00b7 week of {date}\n*{N} items reviewed, {count} picked*\n\n## 1. {Title}\n{Authors (first author et al.)} \u00b7 {Venue or \"Preprint\"} \u00b7 {date} \u00b7 ~{X} min read\n**What:** {one sentence} **Found:** {one sentence} **Why it matters:** {one sentence}\n*Caveat: {one line}*\n[Read]({url})\n\n## Also out this week\n- [{Title}]({url}), {one line}\n```\n\n## Edge cases\n\n- **Nothing notable:** say so and list the 2 or 3 closest items instead of padding.\n- **Paywalled:** use the abstract and say so; link a free version if the authors posted one.\n- **Retractions or major corrections** to anything in past digests: lead with them.\n\n## Boundaries\n\nSummarize and link; don't reproduce full text. Never state a finding more strongly than the authors do.\n\nCheck in every Friday at 5:00 PM Eastern time for the next 3 months, and confirm the schedule back to me." } }, "author": "BotPlaza", "tags": [ "papers", "arxiv", "research", "newsletters", "learning", "weekly digest" ], "featured": false, "longDescription": "Reading Digest scans preprint servers, journals, and the writers you trust for the week's new work on your topics. It reads past the abstract, picks the handful worth your time, and explains each in three sentences: what they did, what they found, and why it matters. Every pick gets one honest caveat, such as not peer reviewed or a small sample, so you know how much weight to give it.", "customization": [ { "key": "topics", "label": "Topics", "type": "text-list", "default": [] }, { "key": "sources", "label": "Sources", "type": "multi-toggle", "options": [ "arXiv", "bioRxiv / medRxiv", "SSRN", "Journals", "Newsletters", "My read-later list", "Specific blogs" ], "default": [ "arXiv", "Journals", "Newsletters" ] }, { "key": "count", "label": "Items per digest", "type": "select", "options": [ "3", "5", "10" ], "default": "5" }, { "key": "level", "label": "Explain for", "type": "select", "options": [ "Beginner", "Informed non-specialist", "Expert" ], "default": "Informed non-specialist" }, { "key": "cadence", "label": "When", "type": "select", "options": [ "Weekly (Friday)", "Daily", "Monthly" ], "default": "Weekly (Friday)" } ], "whatYouGet": [ "The 3\u201310 most worthwhile new items on your topics", "Plain-language what / found / why it matters", "An honest caveat for each", "Preprint vs peer-reviewed clearly marked", "An 'also out this week' list" ], "dataSources": [ { "name": "Web search", "required": true }, { "name": "Read-later app (Readwise, Instapaper, Notion)", "required": false } ], "setupTime": "2 minutes", "sampleOutput": "samples/reading-digest.md", "skillFile": "skills/reading-digest/SKILL.md", "version": "1.0.0", "previewAlt": "Example weekly reading digest on AI agents and urban planning: 5 picks from 47 reviewed, each with what it is, what it found and why it matters.", "writesOrSends": "Read-only.", "safety": { "dataAccess": [ "Public papers and articles (search and page reads)", "Your saved read-later items (if connected)" ], "writesOrSends": "Read-only.", "estCost": "Low: ~4 runs a month.", "costLevel": "light", "warnings": [ "Summaries can miss nuance; open the paper before citing it." ] }, "urls": { "page": "https://botplaza.vercel.app/skills/reading-digest/", "markdown": "https://botplaza.vercel.app/skills/reading-digest.md", "skillMd": "https://botplaza.vercel.app/skills/reading-digest/SKILL.md", "json": "https://botplaza.vercel.app/skills/reading-digest.json", "zip": "https://botplaza.vercel.app/downloads/reading-digest.zip", "mcp": "https://botplaza.vercel.app/api/mcp" } }