Arclight-MCP-Bot: Create Help:References page documenting citation syntax and conventions for EveryCRT (via create-page on MediaWiki MCP Server)

2026-02-10T17:45:12Z

Create Help:References page documenting citation syntax and conventions for EveryCRT (via create-page on MediaWiki MCP Server)

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'''References and citations''' allow editors to cite sources for factual claims on wiki pages — specifications, release dates, pricing, technical details, and more. EveryCRT uses MediaWiki's built-in <code><ref></code> system.

== When to use references ==

Use <code><ref></code> tags for '''inline citations''' that support specific claims in article prose. Prefer linking to archival or stable URLs (Archive.org, manufacturer support pages) over transient sources.

References are '''not''' a substitute for:
* '''<code><nowiki>{{CRT link}}</nowiki></code>''' — for archival links to manufacturer pages, retailer listings, and database entries
* '''Document pages''' (in the <code>Document:</code> namespace) — for manuals, brochures, and spec sheets

Each of these serves a distinct semantic role on the wiki.

== Basic inline reference ==

Wrap your citation in <code><ref></code> tags at the point in the text where the claim appears:

<pre>
The KV-27S42 has a 27" Trinitron tube.<ref>Sony KV-27S42 service manual, p. 3</ref>
</pre>

This creates a numbered footnote (e.g., [1]) in the text. The full citation appears in the References section at the bottom of the page.

== Named references ==

When the same source supports multiple claims, give it a name on '''first use''', then reuse it with a self-closing tag:

<pre>
The set draws 150W average.<ref name="spec-sheet">JVC AV-36D201 specification sheet,
https://support.jvc.com/consumer/product.jsp?modelId=MODELPAGE</ref>

It weighs 185 lbs.<ref name="spec-sheet" />
</pre>

Both claims will share the same footnote number.

=== Syntax summary ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Syntax !! Meaning
|-
| <code><ref name="foo">Content here</ref></code> || '''Define''' a named reference (first occurrence — must contain content)
|-
| <code><ref name="foo" /></code> || '''Reuse''' a previously defined reference (self-closing, no content)
|-
| <code><ref>Content</ref></code> || Anonymous reference (cannot be reused)
|}

=== Common mistakes ===

* '''Duplicate definitions:''' Using <code><ref name="foo">Content</ref></code> twice with ''different'' content — only the first definition is used; the second content is silently ignored.
* '''Forward reference:''' Using <code><ref name="foo" /></code> ''before'' the named ref is defined — this causes a rendering error. The full definition must come first in page order.
* '''Empty tags instead of self-closing:''' <code><ref name="foo"></ref></code> causes errors. Always use the self-closing <code>/></code> form when reusing.
* '''Missing references section:''' Forgetting to add <code><references /></code> causes a "missing references list" error at the bottom of the page.

== Rendering the reference list ==

Every page that uses <code><ref></code> tags '''must''' include a References section:

<pre>
== References ==
<references />
</pre>

This renders all footnotes as a numbered list.

== Page structure ==

On CRT model pages, the <code>== References ==</code> section should appear '''after''' all article prose but '''before''' any semantic subobject templates (<code><nowiki>{{CRT input}}</nowiki></code>, <code><nowiki>{{CRT output}}</nowiki></code>, <code><nowiki>{{CRT link}}</nowiki></code>, <code><nowiki>{{CRT mod}}</nowiki></code>, <code><nowiki>{{CRT voltage range}}</nowiki></code>), which do not have section headers.

=== Example ===

<pre>
{{CRT model
|brand=JVC
|model=AV-27D201
|screen_size_inches=27
...
}}

The AV-27D201 was part of JVC's D-Series line, introduced in
2001.<ref name="jvc-support">JVC Support — AV-27D201 Specifications,
https://support.jvc.com/consumer/product.jsp?modelId=MODELPAGEAVD201</ref>
It features component video inputs supporting 480i and
480p.<ref name="jvc-support" />

The set uses the HAS chassis.<ref>JVC AV-27D201 service manual (Archive.org),
https://archive.org/details/jvc-av-27d201-service-manual</ref>

== References ==
<references />

{{CRT input
|signal=Composite (CVBS)
|connector=RCA (connector)
|count=2
|direction=Input
}}
</pre>

== See also ==

* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Cite MediaWiki Help: Cite] — upstream documentation on the Cite extension

[[Category:Help]]

Help:References - Revision history

Arclight-MCP-Bot: Create Help:References page documenting citation syntax and conventions for EveryCRT (via create-page on MediaWiki MCP Server)