name: detect-ai-text
description: Estimate whether a document's prose was written by AI, with the linguistic tells and honest abstention on non-prose. Use when the user asks whether an essay, report, CV, submission, or article was AI-generated — for triage, not proof.
category: document-verification
risk: critical
source: community
source_repo: Sketchjar/stipple-agent-skills
source_type: community
date_added: "2026-08-31"
author: Sketchjar
tags: [document-verification, fact-checking, stipple, authenticity]
tools: [claude, cursor, gemini, codex]
license: "Apache-2.0"
license_source: "https://github.com/Sketchjar/stipple-agent-skills/blob/main/LICENSE"
AI-Text Detection
Estimate the probability that a document's prose was written by AI, with the specific linguistic tells and an honest abstention when the document isn't prose. Uses the Stipple API (free anonymous tier).
When to use
- Educators screening student submissions
- Publishers and platforms triaging inbound content
- HR reviewing AI-drafted CVs (flag, don't reject)
- Researchers checking source provenance
Instructions
-
Get the document. URL, local file path (PDF, DOCX, TXT, MD), or raw text via --text.
-
Run detection.
curl -X POST https://www.stipple.sh/v1/detect-ai-text \
-F "file=@essay.pdf" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $STIPPLE_API_KEY"
For raw text: POST JSON {"text": "..."} to the same endpoint.
-
Interpret the response.
applicable: false — the document is not prose (forms, tables, scans, spreadsheets). Detection is deliberately refused rather than guessed. Report this and stop.
probability — model confidence (0–1), NOT a calibrated truth
lean — "ai" | "human" | "unsure"
tells[] — the specific phrases/patterns flagged (e.g. "It is important to note that", uniform sentence length, low burstiness)
reasoning — why the model reached its verdict
limitations — always present; the API states its own noise profile
-
Report honestly. This measures style, not authenticity:
| Question | Tool |
|---|
| Was this written by AI? (style) | this skill |
| Is this document genuine/tampered? (forensics) | verify-document skill |
A human can write generically; an AI can write plainly. One triage signal, never a verdict.
Output format
AI-written probability: 0.87 (lean: ai)
prose ratio: 0.82
linguistic tells:
- "It is important to note that, in today's fast-paced world" (stock phrase)
- uniform sentence length across paragraphs
- low burstiness; no authorial asides
reasoning: The text relies entirely on formulaic transition clichés...
limitations: The probability is the model's CONFIDENCE, not a calibrated truth.
Limitations and Safety
- AI-text detection is probabilistic and can disproportionately flag templated,
coached, translated, accessibility-assisted, or non-native-English writing. Do
not use it as proof of misconduct or as the sole basis for employment, academic,
publishing, or disciplinary action.
- Uploading a document sends its contents to a hosted third party. Obtain explicit
approval first, remove unnecessary personal or confidential material, and verify
the provider's current retention and deletion terms.
- Preserve the original work and give the affected person a meaningful human review
and appeal path before any consequential decision.
Notes
- Non-prose documents (forms, tables, payslips) get
applicable: false — the engine refuses rather than guessing
- Can false-flag templated/coached or non-native-English writing — always present as one signal alongside human review
- Free anonymous tier works without a key; free key at https://www.stipple.sh