A method for verifying surgical tool placement includes attaching a guide sleeve to a surgical robot, the guide sleeve defining a guide sleeve axis; aligning the surgical robot such that the guide sleeve axis is directed at a predetermined target location; and attaching an aiming rod to the guide sleeve such that the aiming rod can rotate around the guide sleeve axis, the aiming rod having apertures along its length. The aiming rod is attached to the guide sleeve at an angle and position such that when the surgical robot is adjusted to align the guide sleeve axis with the predetermined target location, a center of each aperture of the apertures of the aiming rod and a center of the predetermined target location are collinear, independent of a rotational position of the aiming rod around the guide sleeve axis.