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Install in OpenClaw
/install open-access-scout
Description
Use when finding open access journals, checking journal policies, or identifying predatory publishers. Helps researchers locate legitimate open access venues...
Usage Guidance
This package is inconsistent: the SKILL.md promises journal-level features (predatory checks, APC comparisons, indexing filters) but the included script only mock-searches for open-access copies of individual papers. Before installing or granting this skill to an agent: 1) decide whether you need a journal/publisher scout or a paper-level OA finder — this package appears to be the latter. 2) Inspect scripts/main.py yourself (it contains no network calls and is small), and run the recommended checks: python -m py_compile scripts/main.py and python scripts/main.py --help to confirm behaviour. 3) Don't rely on the SKILL.md examples that reference scripts/oa_scout.py or modules that aren't present; ask the author for a corrected release if you expected APC or predatory-publisher functionality. 4) Note the SKILL.md mention of Sci-Hub: that is a legal/ethical caution (not malicious code), so avoid instructing agents to retrieve paywalled content from illegal sources. If you require the promised journal-level features, treat this package as incomplete or mislabeled and do not use it as-is.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill
Name: open-access-scout
Version: 1.0.0
The skill bundle is a functional but simplified template for identifying open access journals and avoiding predatory publishers. The primary script (scripts/main.py) contains no network activity, file system manipulation, or sensitive data access, instead providing mock search results and hardcoded reference URLs. While there is a minor documentation discrepancy in SKILL.md referring to a non-existent 'oa_scout.py', the overall logic is safe and aligns with the stated purpose.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
The skill description and SKILL.md emphasize finding OA journals, checking journal policies, assessing predatory publishers, APC comparison, and indexed-status checks. The only packaged code (scripts/main.py) implements a tiny OpenAccessScout that mock-returns OA copies of individual papers and lists a handful of sources. There is no implementation of journal-level searches, APC comparisons, indexing checks, or predatory publisher heuristics. Example usage in SKILL.md references different module/file names (scripts/oa_scout, scripts/oa_scout.py) that do not exist, increasing the mismatch.
Instruction Scope
SKILL.md primarily instructs running the packaged script and following a bounded workflow, which is appropriate. However several concrete examples and Quick Start snippets reference non-existent files/modules and CLI names (oa_scout vs main.py), which may mislead users. The instructions do not ask for unrelated files, credentials, or system paths.
Install Mechanism
No install spec and no external downloads are included; this is an instruction-only skill with a small bundled script. That minimizes install risk.
Credentials
The skill requests no environment variables, no credentials, and no config paths. The code does not access environment secrets. (Note: SOURCES includes 'Sci-Hub (use with caution)', which is a legal/ethical flag but not a credential request.)
Persistence & Privilege
always is false, the skill is user-invocable and can be called autonomously (platform default). The skill does not request persistent system presence or alter other skills/configs.
How to Use
- Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
- Run the install command in chat:
/install open-access-scout - After installation, invoke the skill by name or use
/open-access-scout - Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v1.0.0
Initial release of open-access-scout.
- Provides tools to find open access journals, check journal policies, and identify predatory publishers.
- Includes scripts for journal search, publisher assessment, and APC (Article Processing Charge) comparison.
- Offers both CLI and Python API for flexible usage.
- Emphasizes input validation, error handling, and reproducible outputs.
- Contains clear workflow documentation, command examples, and reference materials for audit and support.
Metadata
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Open Access Scout?
Use when finding open access journals, checking journal policies, or identifying predatory publishers. Helps researchers locate legitimate open access venues... It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 97 downloads so far.
How do I install Open Access Scout?
Run "/install open-access-scout" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.
Is Open Access Scout free?
Yes, Open Access Scout is completely free, licensed under MIT-0. You can download, install and use it at no cost.
Which platforms does Open Access Scout support?
Open Access Scout is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).
Who created Open Access Scout?
It is built and maintained by AIpoch (@aipoch-ai); the current version is v1.0.0.
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