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Install in OpenClaw
/install zotero-browse
Description
Browse, search, and read papers from a local Zotero library. Use when the user wants to: (1) Search their Zotero library by title, author, or keyword, (2) Re...
Usage Guidance
This skill appears to do what it says: query a local Zotero sqlite DB and extract PDF text. Before installing: (1) ensure you are comfortable granting the agent access to your local Zotero DB and storage folders (the code uses E:\Refer.Hub\... by default — change the --db/--db path or DEFAULT_DB/STORE constants if your library is elsewhere), (2) install Python 3 and PyMuPDF (fitz) in the environment you will run it in, (3) be aware the scripts will print PDF text to stdout or write extracted text to a file if you pass --output, and (4) review the two scripts yourself; they perform only local reads and contain no network calls or secret-exfiltration logic. If you plan to run on a non-Windows system, update paths and the 'py -3' invocation accordingly.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill
Name: zotero-browse
Version: 1.0.1
The skill bundle provides legitimate functionality for searching and reading a local Zotero library. The Python scripts (query_items.py and read_pdf.py) use parameterized SQLite queries and PyMuPDF to extract text from local files. While the scripts contain hardcoded absolute paths (e.g., E:\Refer.Hub\zotero.sqlite), there is no evidence of network activity, data exfiltration, or malicious intent.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
Name/description match the actual behavior: the scripts query a local Zotero SQLite DB and locate PDFs in a local storage folder. The required binary (python3 with PyMuPDF) is appropriate. Note: the repository uses Windows-specific default paths (E:\Refer.Hub\zotero.sqlite and storage) which are plausible for the author's environment but will need adjustment on other machines.
Instruction Scope
SKILL.md and the scripts stay within scope: they open the specified sqlite DB, list/search items, resolve storageHash folders, and extract PDF text with PyMuPDF. They do not access network endpoints, environment secrets, or unrelated system files. Note the instructions and code print paths and file sizes and prompt for an attachment key when using interactive search; they assume user consent to read local files.
Install Mechanism
There is no install spec (instruction-only with code files). That is low-risk. The only external dependency is PyMuPDF (fitz), which must be installed in the Python environment before running; no remote downloads or archive extraction are performed by the skill itself.
Credentials
The skill requests no environment variables or credentials. The operations require filesystem access to the Zotero DB and storage, which is proportionate to its stated purpose.
Persistence & Privilege
always:false and user-invocable:true (default) — the skill is not force-included and does not modify other skills or system config. It performs read-only DB queries (PRAGMA read_only=ON) and reads files; it does not write to system-wide settings or other skills.
How to Use
- Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
- Run the install command in chat:
/install zotero-browse - After installation, invoke the skill by name or use
/zotero-browse - Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v1.0.1
No functional or documentation changes in this release.
- Version bump to 1.0.1 with no detected file modifications.
- All existing workflows, features, and usage remain unchanged.
v1.0.0
Initial release of zotero-browse: Browse, search, and read papers from a local Zotero library.
- Search Zotero library by title, author, or keyword
- Read or summarize specific PDFs stored in Zotero by attachment key or title
- View library summary with item counts, types, and recent additions
- Find and extract related papers or detailed metadata by item key
- Includes command-line scripts for all workflows; requires Python 3 with PyMuPDF
Metadata
Frequently Asked Questions
What is zotero-browse?
Browse, search, and read papers from a local Zotero library. Use when the user wants to: (1) Search their Zotero library by title, author, or keyword, (2) Re... It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 154 downloads so far.
How do I install zotero-browse?
Run "/install zotero-browse" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.
Is zotero-browse free?
Yes, zotero-browse is completely free, licensed under MIT-0. You can download, install and use it at no cost.
Which platforms does zotero-browse support?
zotero-browse is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).
Who created zotero-browse?
It is built and maintained by Liang Guo (@lyononthemoon); the current version is v1.0.1.
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