Use when checking or fixing citation keys in appendix/library.bib, per-paper reference.bib files, or when thesis chapters use keys that do not match the canonical YYYYAuthorName format.
Read AGENTS.md first. It defines all bibliography file locations, the canonical key format, and the list of core papers that must keep their standard keys.
YYYYFirstAuthorLastName — four-digit year, then first author's last name capitalised, no spaces or punctuation.
Examples: 2026Rashad, 1985Hogan, 2023Moghaddam.
appendix/library.bib and any reference.bib files in scope.\cite{...} keys used in thesis chapters.YYYYAuthorName, propose the canonical form.| Situation | Rule |
|---|
| Two papers, same year, same first author | Suffix with letter: 2022RashadA, 2022RashadB; the older entry keeps the plain key |
| Hyphenated or compound surname | Use the primary surname only: Van der Berg → VanDerBerg |
| First author is an institution | Use the main recognisable word: 2020NASAReport → 2020NASA |
| Year is uncertain | Use best available year; flag with a note in the paper's Action Items |
For each issue state:
library.bib and any chapter \cite{} calls).reference.bib.library.bib without updating every \cite{} in the chapters — both must change together or the build will report undefined citations.