Thirteen quick tips for bacteriophage genome annotation

An open-access practical guide to annotating tailed phage genomes, from assembly checks and phage-aware gene calling to conservative functional assignments. The authors explain why automated outputs need manual review, how gene context and protein structure can strengthen predictions, and why an honest hypothetical-protein label is preferable to an unsupported function that spreads through databases. A tool-and-database table, an annotator checklist and a companion HTML workflow make the guide useful alongside an annotation project or workshop.