PhD Application Planner skill
PhD Application Planner finds programs and advisors, checks facts against sources and builds a marimo decision dashboard.
- 126 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- The agent runs Python scripts and writes files into the working folder, and program queries go out to web search.
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add skills/phd-application-plannerDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The agent runs Python scripts and writes files into the working folder, and program queries go out to web search.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
The skill leads a prospective applicant through 5–8 question rounds on field, advising model, geography, funding and deadlines. Once `_config.json` is confirmed, the agent researches programs and advisors in parallel and builds a marimo dashboard: program and advisor browsers, weighted ranking, cost-of-living-adjusted stipends and private notes. Every key claim links to a source and goes through an independent check. The statuses `confirmed`, `corrected`, `conflict` and `unresolved` show what can be trusted. Output exports to Excel or Google Docs as a concise tracker or a full evidence workbook.
Who it is for. PhD applicants comparing universities, advisors and funding who want a source behind every fact.
Good fit when
- Narrowing dozens of programs by field and country before applying.
- Finding advisors whose topics match a research interest.
- Comparing stipends against local cost of living.
- Tracking application statuses and outreach to faculty.
Not a fit when
- You expect guarantees: deadlines and terms change, and source checks do not prove a fact on their own.
- Applying to a master's or bachelor's program rather than a PhD.
- An environment without Python 3.10 or without web access for the agent.
Example request
Help me choose a computational linguistics PhD in Europe: run the intake, find programs and build a ranked dashboard.Limitations
It needs Claude Code or Codex with skills enabled, Python 3.10 and the packages from `requirements.txt`. Research relies on the web, so closed or stale pages end up as `unresolved`. Deadlines, prices and hours change, so the result still needs a personal check on university sites. Private notes stay out of Excel by default. The skill is English-only, so write questions in English. A full pass over dozens of programs takes a lot of time and tokens, so check plan limits beforehand.
How to disable. Delete the `phd-application-planner` folder from `~/.claude/skills` or the Codex skills directory. The dashboard and spreadsheets live in your working folder, so delete them separately.
FAQ
How does a session start?
With an intake of 5–8 rounds. Research does not begin until you confirm `_config.json` with `intake_complete: true`.
What does confirmed mean?
Independent evidence agrees. Only `confirmed` and `corrected` claims feed a `verified` summary.
Do private notes reach Excel?
Not by default; note export is opt-in.
Does it suit humanities programs?
Yes, a humanities and social science mode swaps the lab model for committee fit, writing samples and language requirements.
What must be installed?
Python 3.10 and dependencies via `python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt`. The dashboard is built on marimo.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD Application Planner (this card) | no | 126 | |
| phd-skills | no | 459 | a plugin for working researchers: paper reproduction and experiment review; Planner helps pick a program and advisor |
| Academic Research Skills | no | 56,682 | skills for writing and reviewing papers; this one handles admissions and program comparison |
README in short
The design rests on honest data: nothing claims blanket verification. Source and reporting rules sit in `reference/source_policy.md` and `reference/honesty.md`.