> If you're not describing an experiment or system that uses GNU parallel as one of its key components then it makes no sense to cite it any more than it does t

> If you're not describing an experiment or system that uses GNU parallel as one of its key components then it makes no sense to cite it any more than it does to cite any other utility. GNU Parallel agrees with you, but also gives you a test of when to regard it as a "key component" (as you put it): https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/parallel.git/tree/doc/citation-notice-faq.txt#n106 https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/parallel.git/tree/doc/cita... > If you feel the benefit from using GNU Parallel is too small to warrant a citation, then prove that by simply using another tool. [...] If it is too much work replacing the use of GNU Parallel, then it is a good indication that the contribution to the research is big enough to warrant a citation.