> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.oystack.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Reading and Analyzing a Paper

> Use Oystack to read a paper, inspect evidence, capture highlights, and continue the research workflow

# Reading and Analyzing a Paper

Oystack is not only for asking questions about documents. It also gives you a focused way to read a paper, inspect important passages, and keep the surrounding research workflow active while the document is open.

## Opening a paper

You can open a paper from places like:

* a collection in the Hub
* a referenced document from chat
* your recent work or history

Once opened, the paper becomes the center of the workspace so you can read, question, and compare without losing context.

## What you can do while reading

The reading and analysis view is built to help you move between the paper and your research questions.

* Read the document in the viewer while keeping research tools nearby.
* Inspect cited passages in context before reusing a claim.
* Capture or revisit highlights while reviewing the paper.
* Ask follow-up questions without leaving the document workflow.

## Using the analysis sidebar

Depending on the paper and workflow, the sidebar can help you work through:

* **Details:** key information and document-level context
* **Highlights:** important passages you want to revisit
* **Related:** nearby papers or references worth checking next
* **Infographics:** visuals that help explain methods, comparisons, or processes

## A practical reading flow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the paper">
    Start from a collection or source reference and open the file you want to
    inspect.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the source in context">
    Read the relevant section in the viewer instead of relying only on a summary
    or chat response.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Capture what matters">
    Keep highlights, notes, or follow-up questions close as your understanding
    develops.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Move into drafting or comparison">
    Continue into notes, related reading, or a grounded conversation once you
    know what the paper contributes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  The goal is not to read less carefully. The goal is to make careful reading
  easier to sustain.
</Tip>

## Explore next

* [Source references](/documents/source-references)
* [Trust and evidence](/documents/trust-and-evidence)
* [Notes and citations](/workspace/notes-and-citations)