Litmaps — Research discovery

Search & DiscoverySee it liveapp.litmaps.com

A paper-search entry pairs a narrow sidebar with overlapping citation-map previews and an account invitation.

Litmaps — Research discovery — captured interface — Viewport capture · opening screen

Source capture · 2026-09-06Open full image ↗

Search & discovery AI interfaces

Why this pattern works

Explain a research graph through a visual preview before search.

Design notes

Surface: A paper-search entry pairs a narrow sidebar with overlapping citation-map previews and an account invitation.
Navigation: Slim left sidebar
Layout: Search-led introduction with map previews
Density: Comfortable spacing with focused controls.
Color: Pale gray, white and blue
Type: Readable sans-serif controls and clear heading hierarchy.
Pattern: Explain a research graph through a visual preview before search.
States: Public initial state; no user content submitted.
Don't: Adapt the layout to your own product and supported capabilities; write your own examples and keep important actions clearly labeled.

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Prompt text

# My project
[Describe the product, audience, and screen you want to improve]

Stack: Use the existing project stack
Task: Implement the interface and verify the result in the existing project.

## Tool guidance (Any AI tool)
Use available project tools to inspect, implement, and test. State any unavailable capabilities.

# Design reference: Litmaps — Research discovery
Source: https://app.litmaps.com/
Swipefile reference: https://swipefile.design/ref/ai-litmaps/
Captured: 2026-09-06. This is a dated reference, not a claim about the current live product.
Capture scope: one viewport. Do not infer unseen page sections or a complete user flow.

## Objective
Adapt the interaction and layout patterns below to my project. Use my own content and identity. Do not reproduce logos, proprietary copy, or brand assets.

## Reference notes
- surface: A paper-search entry pairs a narrow sidebar with overlapping citation-map previews and an account invitation.
- nav: Slim left sidebar
- layout: Search-led introduction with map previews
- density: Comfortable spacing with focused controls.
- color: Pale gray, white and blue
- typography: Readable sans-serif controls and clear heading hierarchy.
- pattern: Explain a research graph through a visual preview before search.
- states: Public initial state; no user content submitted.
- dont: Adapt the layout to your own product and supported capabilities; write your own examples and keep important actions clearly labeled.

Useful for: Explain a research graph through a visual preview before search.

## Acceptance criteria
- Existing project conventions, design tokens, working functionality, and unrelated changes are preserved.
- Two or three reference principles clearly support the user's task; conflicts are resolved in favor of usability and the existing product.
- Reusable components and semantic HTML express the interface. Available licensed assets are used; important UI text is never rendered as a bitmap.
- Every visible control has a defined behavior. Loading, empty, error, success, disabled, and long-content states are specified where relevant. Demo data is clearly labeled.
- Navigation and content adapt at 375px, 768px, and 1440px without horizontal page overflow. Keyboard use, visible focus, labeled inputs, at least 44px touch targets, readable contrast, and reduced motion are supported.
- Verification distinguishes rendered behavior from proposals and identifies anything still requiring a backend or external service.

## Quality bar
Clear hierarchy, consistent spacing, restrained surfaces, and purposeful motion. Avoid decorative gradients, excessive cards, placeholder buttons, and invented metrics unless the project calls for them. Do not claim a feature is connected or tested without evidence.

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## Objective
Adapt the interaction and layout patterns below to my project. Use my own content and identity. Do not reproduce logos, proprietary copy, or brand assets.

Useful for: Explain a research graph through a visual preview before search.

Litmaps — Research discovery

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