Source-Grounded Notebook
Research skill, available on Zeplik
Source-Grounded Notebook is a ready-to-run research skill on Zeplik. Not for cross-source thematic synthesis (use knowledge-synthesis). Ask in plain language and Zeplik applies the skill's method for you inside the conversation, on whichever AI model you prefer.
The Source-Grounded Notebook skill loads automatically when your request matches it, or you can invoke it directly by typing /notebooklm in any chat. It works with attachments, connectors, and any model that supports the task, so you get the same expert method every time without setting anything up.
What the Source-Grounded Notebook skill can do
- Answer questions using only the uploaded sources with inline citations
- Flag gaps explicitly instead of guessing when sources lack coverage
- Generate study guides, FAQs, briefing docs, glossaries, timelines from sources
- Run quiz mode that grades answers against cited passages
Try these prompts on Zeplik
Pick a prompt to open it in the Zeplik app. If you are not signed in yet, your prompt is waiting for you the moment you do.
How the Source-Grounded Notebook skill works
/notebooklm
Run a source-grounded notebook over material the user uploads: every answer comes ONLY from the provided sources, every claim carries a citation, and anything the sources do not cover gets an explicit "not in your sources" instead of a guess. This is the discipline that makes the answers trustworthy -- general knowledge is off-limits except to explain, clearly marked, what a cited passage means.
Lane boundaries: for merging findings across heterogeneous sources into themes and narratives, use knowledge-synthesis. For organizing and formatting citations themselves, use source-management.
The grounding contract
- Sources first. The notebook is the set of documents the user has attached or pasted in this conversation. Confirm the roster before answering: "Working from: [doc 1], [doc 2], [doc 3]."
- Only from sources. Answers cite the document and location (section, page, heading, or a short exact quote) for every substantive claim. Format:
(Doc name, section/page). - Refuse gaps honestly. If the sources do not answer the question, say exactly that, name what related material the sources DO contain, and offer to answer from general knowledge only if the user asks -- clearly labeled as outside the sources.
- Conflicts are surfaced, not resolved silently. If two sources disagree, present both with citations.
- No leakage. Do not blend in web knowledge, training recall, or plausible-sounding filler. A grounded wrong-looking answer with a citation beats a fluent ungrounded one.
Question workflow
- Locate every passage relevant to the question across all sources (search synonyms, not just the user's wording).
- Draft the answer strictly from those passages.
- Attach citations inline.
- Check completeness against the user's question; if partially answerable, answer the covered part and mark the gap.
- End substantial answers with "Where this comes from:" listing the sources used, so the user can verify.
Derived artifacts
All built exclusively from the uploaded sources, with citations throughout:
- Study guide: key concepts with definitions (cited), section-by-section summaries, likely exam questions with cited answers.
- FAQ: the questions the material naturally raises, each answered with citations.
- Briefing doc: one-page executive summary -- purpose, key findings, numbers, open questions -- every bullet cited.
- Glossary: terms as defined IN the sources, not dictionary definitions.
- Quiz mode: ask the user questions from the sources, grade against the cited passages, show the citation with each correction.
- Timeline: events mentioned across sources in order, each dated and cited.
Session habits
- New uploads join the notebook; restate the updated roster.
- If the user asks something clearly outside the notebook's topic, check whether they want grounded mode suspended rather than silently switching.
- For long sources, work section by section and tell the user which sections informed the answer.
Usage
/notebooklm $ARGUMENTS
How to use the Source-Grounded Notebook skill
Sign in to Zeplik
Create a free Zeplik account or sign in. New accounts start with free credits, so you can try the Source-Grounded Notebook skill right away.
Describe your research task
Ask in plain language, or type /notebooklm to invoke the skill directly. Zeplik recognizes the Source-Grounded Notebook skill and applies its method.
Review and refine the result
Zeplik returns a clear, structured answer. Ask follow-ups in the same chat to refine it or take the next step.
Source and credit
- Author
- davila7
- License
- MIT
Adapted from the open-source davila7/claude-code-templates project and tuned to run natively on Zeplik. View source on GitHub.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Source-Grounded Notebook skill?
- Source-Grounded Notebook is a ready-to-run research skill on Zeplik. Not for cross-source thematic synthesis (use knowledge-synthesis). Ask in plain language and Zeplik applies the skill's method for you inside the conversation, on whichever AI model you prefer.
- How do I use Source-Grounded Notebook on Zeplik?
- Sign in to Zeplik and ask in plain language, or type /notebooklm in any chat to invoke it directly. The skill applies its method and returns a result you can refine in the same conversation.
- Which AI model does the Source-Grounded Notebook skill use?
- Any model you choose. Zeplik works across every model in one chat, so the Source-Grounded Notebook skill runs on your preferred model for the task.
- Where does the Source-Grounded Notebook skill come from?
- The Source-Grounded Notebook skill is adapted from the open-source davila7/claude-code-templates project (MIT) and tuned to run natively on Zeplik. The original source is linked on this page.
- How much does the Source-Grounded Notebook skill cost?
- Using the skill is free to start. You only spend Zeplik credits when the assistant runs, and new accounts begin with free credits.
Related research skills
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- Deep Research ReportsUse for a long, multi-step, sourced research report -- market analysis, competitive landscaping, literature review, due diligence: 'do deep research on X', 'write a full report with citations'. Plans, searches, and synthesizes autonomously. Not for a quick look-up or short synthesis (use research).
More on Zeplik
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