The AI Workspace for Researchers
Writing, reference management, and coding, combined with truly capable AI assistance
Used by researchers at
AI Integration
Work with AI on a shared canvas
The AI can access your workspace and help you write or find references – it can suggest changes directly in your document.
References
Surprisingly great reference management
Add references by pasting titles, DOIs, or dropping PDFs – Shoulders will try to find and verify the metadata.
Writing
Built to augment, not intrude
The AI stays out of your way until you ask – press ++ and get a few ideas to complete your thought without breaking your flow.
Coding & Data
Analysis and manuscript in one place
Run code next to your draft. The AI can critique your analysis, or check that your methods section actually matches your code.
Full control
All files stay on your machine. You can use API keys to connect to public or private LLMs — or sign up for simplicity.
Shared context
Your references, notes, PDFs, data, code, and manuscripts — all in one workspace, shared with your AI research assistant.
Write in any format
Word, Markdown, or LaTeX. Export publication-ready documents with formatted citations.
Linked notes
Connect ideas with [[wiki links]]. Bidirectional references between your notes and papers.
Full transparency
Shoulders' full source code is openly available. No hidden fees. No vendor lock-in.
Version control
Every change saved automatically. Full history, one-click restore. Never lose work again.
The AI Workspace for Researchers
| Task | What researchers use today | Shoulders |
|---|---|---|
| Write a paper | Word, Markdown, LaTeX | supports all 3 formats |
| Manage references | Zotero, Mendeley, Endnote | built-in |
| AI writing assistance | ChatGPT (copy-paste) | contextual |
| Summarise papers | ChatGPT, NotebookLM | reads your PDFs |
| Search for papers | Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar | integrated tools |
| Run analysis code | RStudio, VS Code, Cursor | built-in |
| Organise notes | Notepad, Notion, Obsidian | wiki links |
| Version control | Git CLI, Overleaf premium | automatic |
| Read PDFs | Zotero, browser, Adobe | built-in |
Word, Markdown, LaTeX
Zotero, Mendeley, Endnote
ChatGPT (copy-paste)
ChatGPT, NotebookLM
Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar
RStudio, VS Code, Cursor
Notepad, Notion, Obsidian
Git CLI, Overleaf premium
Zotero, browser, Adobe
Better AI collaboration through shared context in a fully integrated workspace.
Free Research Preview
AI peer review
Upload a draft manuscript and receive a structured AI review — methodology checks, editorial feedback, and reference verification.
Takes about five minutes. No account required.
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Isaac Newton, 1675 (echoing Bernard of Chartres, c. 1120)