Proofreading

Check for editorial context first: If .agents/editorial-context.md exists, read it before beginning. Load the Style Sheet from the copy editing pass if it's there — it defines the standard the layout must match.

Intake

Read the context file. Then ask for anything not already captured. Proofreading is stage-dependent — several of these questions are gatekeeping questions, not just helpful context.

Required — cannot begin without these:

1. What is the final format of the document? (PDF from typeset LaTeX, formatted Word document, typeset book pages, web page ready for publication, other.) The format determines which error types apply — widows and orphans matter in a typeset PDF; broken links matter in a web document; both matter in a formatted Word doc.
2. For print books (PDF from editorial-typesetting): Has latex-book been run and all TX# issues resolved? If not, stop and flag it — proofreading a PDF that still has print production errors wastes the pass. Ask whether to return to latex-book first. For all other formats (Word, web, etc.): Has copy editing been completed and approved by the author? If the answer is no or uncertain, stop and flag it — proofreading before copy editing is complete will miss errors that belong to an earlier stage. Ask whether to proceed or return to editorial-copy first.