Matlab Code Reviewer

Purpose

Review MATLAB / 北太天元 compatible modeling code after scripts have been generated and routed by code-reviewer.

This skill checks whether .m scripts are runnable, consistent with the validated method plan, compatible with MATLAB / 北太天元 constraints, and able to produce traceable result and figure artifacts.

This skill may make minimal code fixes when needed, but it must not change the modeling route or silently alter assumptions.

This skill does not select models, clean raw data, invent results, write paper sections, or approve final submission.

When to use

Use this skill:

• After code-reviewer routes MATLAB scripts to matlab-code-reviewer.
• When implementation.target = matlab.
• When generated scripts are .m files.
• When the contest requires MATLAB / 北太天元 compatibility.
• Before using MATLAB-generated outputs for robustness checks, figures, or paper writing.

Preconditions

The following should already exist or be provided:

• A validated method plan.
• implementation.target = matlab.
• MATLAB scripts under workspace/code/matlab/.
• Cleaned data under workspace/data/data_clean/, if data is required.
• Data audit report and field mapping if data is used.
• Expected result paths under workspace/results/.
• Expected figure paths under workspace/figures/.
• Run instructions or intended script order.
• Runtime notes, especially MATLAB / 北太天元 compatibility requirements.

If generated scripts are missing, hand back to matlab-model-code-generator.

If cleaned data is missing, hand back to data-auditor-cleaner.

If implementation.target is not matlab, hand back to code-reviewer.

Inputs

Use or request:

• workspace/problem/method-selector/method_plan.json
• MATLAB scripts under workspace/code/matlab/
• cleaned data under workspace/data/data_clean/
• workspace/data/data_report.md, if available
• field mapping from data-auditor-cleaner
• expected output files
• expected figure files
• runtime notes such as:
• beita-tianyuan-compatible
• avoid-heavy-toolboxes
• prefer-basic-matrix-and-table-operations
• avoid-live-scripts
• avoid-app-designer
• save-portable-artifacts
• error messages, logs, screenshots, or failed outputs if available

Workflow

1. Confirm MATLAB review target.

• Confirm implementation.target = matlab.
• Confirm scripts are .m files.
• Confirm scripts are under workspace/code/matlab/ or clearly documented otherwise.
• Preserve MATLAB / 北太天元 runtime notes.

1. Map scripts to the method plan.

• Identify which subquestion each script supports.
• Identify whether each script implements a baseline, main model, improved model, or helper procedure.
• Check that every required baseline and main model script exists.
• Flag scripts that cannot be mapped to the method plan.

1. Check MATLAB script structure.

• Prefer plain .m scripts.
• Reject Live Script-only content.
• If a file defines a primary function, verify the function name matches the file name.
• Check that helper functions are either local functions or saved in clearly named .m files.
• Check that script execution order is clear.

1. Check paths and artifacts.

• Confirm cleaned data is read from workspace/data/data_clean/.
• Confirm raw data under workspace/data/data_raw/ is not modified.
• Confirm results are saved under workspace/results/.
• Confirm figures are saved under workspace/figures/.
• Check that outputs are saved to portable formats such as .csv, .mat, and .png.
• Flag scripts that only print or display results without saving them.

1. Check data-field consistency.

• Verify readtable, readmatrix, load, or equivalent input operations use expected files.
• Verify table variable names match the data audit field mapping.
• Verify units and indicator directions are consistent with the method plan.
• Verify missing values are handled or explicitly blocked.
• Verify rows and columns are not silently dropped.

1. Check numerical correctness risks.

• Check matrix and vector dimensions.
• Check row-vector and column-vector consistency.
• Check 1-based indexing.
• Check division by zero.
• Check NaN, Inf, or invalid numeric operations.
• Check objective functions, constraints, weights, and formulas against the method plan.
• Check convergence or stopping criteria where relevant.

6.5. Constraint-direction sanity check (P2 — list for human review, do NOT auto-correct). Inequality direction errors (writing allocated ≥ capacity when it should be ≤) are semantic, not syntactic — the agent cannot verify physical correctness. But it can surface every constraint for the user to scan.

For every constraint in the code:

• Extract the line number, the inequality direction (= / ==), the left-hand side variable name, and the right-hand side expression.
• Format as a compact table in the review file:

| File:line | Direction | LHS | RHS | Expected physical meaning | |---|---|---|---|---| | code/matlab/Q3/q3_main.m:42 | = | allocated(i) | demand_min(i) | allocated ≥ minimum demand (demand floor) |

• Do NOT change inequality direction. The reviewer MUST:
• Flag constraints whose direction looks counterintuitive.
• Ask the user to scan the "Expected physical meaning" column and confirm.
• Document this table in code/matlab/Qx/reviews/qx_matlab_review.md under a ## Constraint Direction Review section.

1. Check randomness and reproducibility.

• If randomness is used, verify rng(seed) is set.
• Verify stochastic outputs are saved.
• Verify repeated trials are documented if required by the method plan.

1. Check MATLAB / 北太天元 compatibility.

• Prefer basic MATLAB-compatible syntax.
• Flag heavy toolbox dependencies.
• Flag unsupported or high-risk features such as App Designer, GUI code, Simulink dependencies, parallel toolbox, deep learning toolbox, symbolic toolbox, or version-specific functions.
• If a function may not be available in 北太天元, recommend a simpler alternative or mark compatibility as a risk.

1. Make minimal fixes if needed.

• Fix syntax errors, path errors, output saving errors, simple dimension mismatches, missing directory creation, and obvious variable-name mismatches.
• Keep changes surgical and traceable.
• Do not refactor broadly.
• Do not change the mathematical model.

1. Produce a review report — MANDATORY substantive file on disk.

• State reviewed scripts.
• List ≥ 5 explicit pass items (concrete checks that ran and passed, each citing file:line and what was verified). Generic statements ("looks good", "no issues") do NOT count.
• List failed checks with file:line and suggested repair.
• State fixed issues (what this skill changed surgically).
• State unresolved risks.
• State run instructions.
• State expected outputs.
• Recommend the next skill.
• If fewer than 5 explicit pass items can be listed, the review is not substantive — return status: not_run. Do NOT pad with generic statements.

Outputs

Produce reviewed MATLAB code artifacts and a mandatory review file:

• corrected .m scripts under code/matlab/Qx/ (matching CLAUDE.md workspace convention).
• code/matlab/Qx/reviews/qx_matlab_review.md — REQUIRED. This is the artifact completeness-auditor will check for existence and pass-item count. Create the reviews/ directory if missing.
• updated run instructions
• fixed issue list
• remaining compatibility risks
• expected result paths
• expected figure paths
• recommended next skill

(Legacy path workspace/code/code-review/matlab_review_summary.md is deprecated. New runs must write to code/matlab/Qx/reviews/qx_matlab_review.md.)

Output format

The mandatory code/matlab/Qx/reviews/qx_matlab_review.md file MUST follow this template:

# Qx MATLAB Code Review

> **Status**: passed / passed_with_warnings / failed
> **Reviewer**: matlab-code-reviewer
> **Date**: [timestamp]
> **Scripts reviewed**: [list of .m paths]
> **Compatibility target**: MATLAB / 北太天元

## Pass Items (≥ 5 REQUIRED — concrete, file:line cited)

1. ✅ `code/matlab/Q1/q1_main.m:8` reads cleaned data via `readtable(fullfile('workspace','data_clean','clean_data.csv'))`.
2. ✅ `code/matlab/Q1/q1_main.m:24` weight vector `w (1×6)` matches indicator count from data audit.
3. ✅ `code/matlab/Q1/q1_main.m:53` calls `writetable` to save ranking → output saved, not just displayed.
4. ✅ `rng(2026)` is set at line 6 → reproducibility ensured.
5. ✅ No App Designer / Live Script / Simulink dependencies → 北太天元 compatible.
6. ✅ ...

## Failed / Repaired Items

| # | File:line | Issue | Action taken | Status |
|---|-----------|-------|--------------|--------|
| 1 | code/matlab/Q1/q1_main.m:17 | absolute path | replaced with relative path | fixed |
| 2 | code/matlab/Q3/q3_main.m:42 | uses `fmincon` (Optimization Toolbox) | NOT fixed — requires method change | blocked → method-selector |

## Remaining Risks

- [risk 1 with file:line]

## Run Instructions

Run code/matlab/Q1/q1baseline.m Run code/matlab/Q1/q1main.m

## Expected Outputs

- `results/Q1/experiments/round1/tables/ranking.csv`
- `results/Q1/experiments/round1/figures/q1_ranking.png`
- `results/Q1/experiments/round1/run_summary.json`

## Recommended Next Skill

- `result-report-generator` or `robustness-checker`

JSON summary is acceptable for handoff but the markdown file at code/matlab/Qx/reviews/qx_matlab_review.md is still required.

MATLAB / 北太天元 review checklist

Check at least the following.

Script structure

• script is a plain .m file
• script is not a Live Script
• file name is clear and maps to a subquestion
• primary function name matches file name if a function is used
• helper functions are local or clearly named
• execution order is documented
• run_all.m exists only if useful

Method consistency

• script maps to a method-plan item
• baseline script exists when required
• main model implements the selected method
• optional improved model is clearly separated
• formulas match the method plan
• variables match the method plan where practical
• objective functions and constraints are consistent
• rejected methods are not accidentally implemented

Data and table handling

• cleaned data is used
• raw data is not overwritten
• readtable, readmatrix, load, or equivalent input calls use expected paths
• table field names match the data report
• missing values are handled or reported
• units and indicator directions are respected
• no rows or columns are silently dropped

Matrix and numeric checks

• matrix dimensions are compatible
• row and column vectors are used consistently
• indexing uses MATLAB 1-based indexing correctly
• no avoidable division by zero
• no uncontrolled NaN or Inf
• weights sum or normalize correctly when required
• constraints are represented correctly
• convergence or iteration limits are defined where needed

Reproducibility

• rng(seed) is used when randomness exists
• seed value is documented
• stochastic outputs are saved
• repeated simulations are summarized if required

Paths and outputs

• relative paths are used where practical
• no hard-coded local absolute paths
• output directories are created if needed
• result tables are saved under workspace/results/
• figures are saved under workspace/figures/
• .mat files are saved when useful for later review
• outputs are not limited to command window display

Compatibility

• code uses conservative MATLAB-compatible syntax
• heavy toolbox functions are avoided unless explicitly approved
• Live Scripts, App Designer, GUI code, and Simulink dependencies are avoided
• parallel toolbox, deep learning toolbox, and symbolic toolbox are avoided unless explicitly approved
• version-specific functions are flagged
• 北太天元 compatibility risks are listed

Fixing rules

• Make the smallest necessary change.
• Preserve the approved modeling route.
• Preserve existing code style where practical.
• Fix only issues related to review goals.
• Remove only unused imports, variables, or code created by the fix.
• Add directory creation only when needed for saving outputs.
• Add result saving when missing.
• Add rng(seed) when randomness exists and no seed is set.
• Do not rewrite the whole script for style.
• Do not replace the model with a different method.
• Do not hide assumptions inside code.
• Do not fabricate outputs.

Rules

• Do not select or change the model.
• Do not clean raw data.
• Do not fabricate data, labels, metrics, outputs, logs, or results.
• Do not write paper text.
• Do not perform final QA.
• Do not approve final submission.
• Do not overwrite raw data.
• Do not make broad style refactors.
• Do not add heavy toolbox dependencies.
• Do not ignore MATLAB / 北太天元 compatibility notes.
• Do not claim the code is correct if scripts are not runnable or outputs are not traceable.
• Do not declare "completion" without writing code/matlab/Qx/reviews/qx_matlab_review.md to disk with ≥ 5 explicit pass items. A verbal "passed" is not a review — completeness-auditor will flag it as MISSING.
• Do not pad the pass list with generic statements. If you cannot list 5 concrete checks, report status: not_run.
• Mark remaining risks explicitly.

Verification

Before handing off, verify:

• implementation.target = matlab.
• Reviewed scripts are .m files.
• Reviewed scripts map to the method plan.
• Scripts use cleaned data or approved non-tabular inputs.
• No raw data file is overwritten.
• Baseline outputs exist or are explicitly blocked.
• Main model outputs exist or are explicitly blocked.
• Randomness is controlled where relevant.
• Results are saved under results/Qx/experiments/roundN/ (per CLAUDE.md workspace convention).
• Figures are saved under results/Qx/experiments/roundN/figures/.
• MATLAB / 北太天元 compatibility risks are listed.
• Fixed issues are documented.
• Remaining risks are documented.
• code/matlab/Qx/reviews/qx_matlab_review.md exists on disk with ≥ 5 explicit pass items (this is what completeness-auditor will check — verbal completion does not count).
• The next skill is result-report-generator or robustness-checker if code is usable.

Failure modes

Stop and report a blocker if:

• No .m script is available to review.
• The method plan is missing.
• implementation.target is not matlab.
• Required cleaned data is unavailable.
• Required fields are missing.
• Runtime errors cannot be fixed without changing the model.
• The code depends on unavailable or unsupported toolbox functions.
• The script output cannot be linked to any subquestion.
• The script writes to workspace/data/data_raw/.
• The script cannot produce required result artifacts.
• Fixing the script would require inventing data, labels, parameters, or results.

Stop conditions

This skill must stop instead of guessing when:

• A fix would change the mathematical meaning of the model.
• A fix requires inventing data, labels, parameters, metrics, outputs, or results.
• A script cannot be mapped to the method plan.
• The data schema is too ambiguous to repair safely.
• The script language or implementation target conflicts with the route.
• MATLAB / 北太天元 compatibility cannot be maintained without changing the method.
• Continuing would hide a method, data, or compatibility problem.

When stopping, output:

• blocker
• why it matters
• affected script or subquestion
• safe partial fixes if any
• missing information needed
• recommended repair skill
• next action

Handoff

If reviewed MATLAB code is usable, hand off to:

robustness-checker

The handoff should include:

• reviewed .m script paths
• run instructions
• result output paths
• figure output paths
• fixed issue list
• remaining risk list
• MATLAB / 北太天元 compatibility notes
• validation output

…

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: zhnnky329
• Source: zhnnky329/MathModeling-skills
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.