What Are Inline Citations?
Trunk Tools shows where each answer comes from. Citations sit right next to the statement they support, so you can check the source before you act on it.
When you open a source from a citation, Trunk Tools highlights the exact passage that supports the answer, so you don't have to scan the whole document.
How to Read a Citation
Format — A citation looks like [1a] or [2b] and appears right after the statement it supports.
The number — This is the source document. It matches the numbered Sources list at the bottom of the answer.
The letter — This is the specific passage in that document. If one document supports several statements, each passage gets its own letter: [1a], [1b], [1c].
Multiple sources — When two documents support the same statement, you'll see both side by side, like [1a] [2a].
In this example answer about a door swing conflict, every statement points to RFI 117 (source 1) and RFI 122 (source 2). The Sources list at the bottom shows both documents, with buttons to open the original record or download the file.
Hover to Preview a Source
Hover over any citation to see a tooltip with the citation label, the document name, and a short excerpt from the passage.
Click to Open the Source
Click a citation to open the document in a panel next to the chat. The passage that supports the statement is highlighted, so you can find it right away.
Good to Know
Citations are there to help you verify. Trunk Tools is AI and can make mistakes, so check the source for anything you plan to act on.
If a statement has no citation, check the project documents before relying on it.
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Questions? Reach out to support@trunk.tools.