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Install in OpenClaw
/install papersgpt-for-zotero
Description
A privacy-first, local-first search assistant and MCP server for your Zotero library, enabling AI agents to search and analyze your research papers securely.
Usage Guidance
This skill appears to do what it says (index and search your local Zotero storage), but it is instruction-only and tells you to install an external npm package and run a background service. Before installing or running it: 1) inspect the npm package and its GitHub repo (check the maintainer, recent commits, issues, and package.json scripts) to ensure there are no unexpected postinstall or remote-exfiltration behaviors; 2) run it in a contained environment (VM or container) first if you are unsure; 3) verify what network ports the background service opens and avoid exposing it to the public internet; 4) backup sensitive Zotero data before indexing; and 5) prefer installing packages from a verified source or official project page rather than unknown registry metadata. If you can provide the npm package name/version or the GitHub repo content, I can re-evaluate with higher confidence.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill
Name: papersgpt-for-zotero
Version: 1.0.1
The skill bundle instructs the AI agent to perform high-risk operations, including installing an external npm package and executing shell commands (`pz init`, `pz search`) to index and search local Zotero data. While these actions are aligned with the stated purpose of the research assistant, the requirement for direct shell access and third-party software installation represents a significant attack surface without explicit safety constraints in the SKILL.md file.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
The name and description (local, privacy-first Zotero search/indexing) match the SKILL.md instructions: initialize by pointing at the Zotero storage, run pz search, and stop the background service. No unrelated credentials or binaries are requested.
Instruction Scope
Instructions focus on indexing local Zotero storage and running pz CLI commands (pz init, pz search, pz stop). However, the doc refers to running a background indexing/service (an 'MCP server') without describing whether it opens network ports, what it exposes, or what data (if any) it transmits externally. That omission is notable because a background server could expose local data unexpectedly.
Install Mechanism
There is no platform install spec; SKILL.md instructs the user to run npm install papersgpt-for-zotero. Installing an npm package is a reasonable route for a CLI tool, but npm packages can execute arbitrary code (postinstall scripts, background processes). The skill references a GitHub repo URL which is a known host, but the registry metadata lists the source as unknown and has no homepage in the registry — you should verify the package source and contents before running it.
Credentials
The skill requests no environment variables, credentials, or config paths beyond the Zotero storage directory (which the user supplies). There are no unexplained secret or cloud credential requests.
Persistence & Privilege
The skill does not request 'always: true' or autonomous platform privileges. It does instruct the user to start a background indexing service (pz init) that persists outside the agent's process — this is reasonable for a local search server but may create long-lived processes and potential network exposure; the SKILL.md does not describe how that persistence is managed or secured.
How to Use
- Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
- Run the install command in chat:
/install papersgpt-for-zotero - After installation, invoke the skill by name or use
/papersgpt-for-zotero - Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v1.0.1
- Added a link to the GitHub repository for more information in the Installation section.
- No functional or behavioral changes to the skill itself.
v1.0.0
Initial release of PapersGPT for Zotero — a local, privacy-first AI assistant for searching and analyzing your Zotero research library.
- Enables instant, AI-powered search across your personal Zotero PDF/library collection.
- Provides synthesized insights and context from your local research papers.
- Streamlines literature reviews by surfacing arguments, methodologies, and findings.
- Easy installation via npm and intuitive CLI with commands for initialization, searching, and stopping the service.
- Fully local workflow: no cloud upload, all operations stay on your machine.
Metadata
Frequently Asked Questions
What is papersgpt-for-zotero?
A privacy-first, local-first search assistant and MCP server for your Zotero library, enabling AI agents to search and analyze your research papers securely. It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 107 downloads so far.
How do I install papersgpt-for-zotero?
Run "/install papersgpt-for-zotero" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.
Is papersgpt-for-zotero free?
Yes, papersgpt-for-zotero is completely free, licensed under MIT-0. You can download, install and use it at no cost.
Which platforms does papersgpt-for-zotero support?
papersgpt-for-zotero is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).
Who created papersgpt-for-zotero?
It is built and maintained by papersgpt (@papersgpt); the current version is v1.0.1.
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