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Install in OpenClaw
/install pubmed-edirect
Description
Search and retrieve literature from PubMed using NCBI's EDirect command-line tools. ⚠️ Advanced skill requiring manual installation.
Usage Guidance
This skill appears coherent and matches its stated purpose, but follow the documentation and good security hygiene before installing: review the official install-edirect.sh script you download (do not pipe remote scripts to bash), preferably test the installer in a container or VM, avoid running installers as root unless necessary, and audit the included scripts before running them. If you plan to use cron/automation in OpenClaw, limit workspace permissions and avoid storing sensitive credentials in shared shell rc files; store an NCBI API key only in a place you control and rotate it if needed. If you have low trust in the source of this registry entry, consider using a containerized ncbi/edirect image or perform installation on an isolated test environment first.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill
Name: pubmed-edirect
Version: 0.4.4
This OpenClaw skill is designed for legitimate PubMed data retrieval and analysis using NCBI's EDirect command-line tools. The documentation (SKILL.md, INSTALL.md, OPENCLAW_INTEGRATION.md) is exceptionally transparent and responsible, explicitly warning users about the elevated security risks of manual installation, external script execution, and system modifications. It provides clear instructions for secure installation, including reviewing scripts before execution, and explicitly prohibits unsafe practices like piping remote scripts directly to a shell. The included shell scripts are well-written, perform tasks aligned with the stated purpose, and do not contain any malicious code patterns such as data exfiltration, persistence, or unauthorized network calls. There is no evidence of prompt injection attempts against the AI agent; instead, the markdown consistently instructs the *user* on secure practices and how to use the skill effectively.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
The name/description match the actual requirements and behavior: the skill requires the EDirect binaries (esearch, efetch, elink, xtract, einfo, efilter) and provides documentation and scripts that invoke those tools. No unrelated binaries, services, or credentials are requested.
Instruction Scope
SKILL.md and the included docs/scripts confine instructions to installing, configuring, and running EDirect and to using OpenClaw's exec to run EDirect commands. The docs explicitly warn about reviewing installer scripts, avoiding piping remote scripts to shell, and recommend isolation. There are OpenClaw exec examples that run commands and save results to the agent workspace — expected for a local CLI integration. No instructions request reading unrelated system secrets or exfiltrating data to third-party endpoints.
Install Mechanism
There is no automated install spec — installation is manual and points to the official NCBI FTP/HTTP (ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov / https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK179288/). The docs explicitly instruct to download-and-review rather than piping to shell. This is a proportionate and lower-risk approach compared to blind downloads from untrusted servers.
Credentials
Only optional environment variables are documented (NCBI_API_KEY and NCBI_EMAIL) and they are appropriate for EDirect (rate-limiting and identification). The skill does not request unrelated secrets or config paths. The INSTALL.md does note that system package installation (Perl modules) may require sudo — that is a legitimate prerequisite for this toolchain but is a privilege escalation point you should manage consciously.
Persistence & Privilege
The skill does not request always:true or any ability to alter other skills or global agent configuration. It suggests adding EDirect to PATH and updating shell rc files only for the user, which is standard for CLI tools. OpenClaw integration examples create workspace files and cron jobs under the workspace; these are expected for automation but should be deliberately enabled by the user.
How to Use
- Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
- Run the install command in chat:
/install pubmed-edirect - After installation, invoke the skill by name or use
/pubmed-edirect - Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v0.4.4
pubmed-edirect 0.4.4
- Improved security advisory and installation instructions in documentation
- Enhanced clarity in descriptions and instructions for manual skill setup
- Added/updated security best practices and removed duplicated content
- Standardized environment variable descriptions and removed non-English sections
v0.4.3
- Installation method changed: now requires manual review and elevated security steps.
- SKILL.md and install docs now include detailed security advisories and best practices, with much of the guidance in Chinese for broader accessibility.
- Added warnings about script review, system modification, and permissions required before EDirect installation.
- OpenClaw metadata updated: marked as "advanced," with explicit "elevated" security level.
- INSTALL.md and OPENCLAW_INTEGRATION.md updated to match new manual and secure installation workflow.
v0.4.2
- Added explicit list of required binaries under `metadata.openclaw.requires` for improved compatibility.
- No functional changes to usage or features; documentation metadata updated only.
v0.4.1
- Removed the _meta.json file from the skill.
- No user-facing changes or updates to features or documentation.
v0.4.0
- Switched install and requirements to top-level YAML keys with clearer structure.
- Added direct EDirect install script URL and official documentation link.
- Declared required and optional environment variables for NCBI API key and email.
- Updated metadata for compatibility and improved configuration.
- Content and functionality otherwise unchanged.
v0.3.0
- Added _meta.json file with skill metadata.
- Updated SKILL.md to include frontmatter metadata for OpenClaw integration.
- Declared required binaries and install instructions in SKILL.md metadata block.
- No changes to user-visible skill features or usage.
v0.2.0
Security hardening: updated installation to avoid shell piping, removed insecure SSL disable suggestion, added CA certificate updates
v0.1.1
- Clarified that the skill is for local installation only, with all tools running directly on your system and no containerization.
- Updated instructions and documentation in SKILL.md to emphasize the local setup process.
- Added a prominent note in the Overview about following INSTALL.md for local installation.
v0.1.0
Initial release of the PubMed EDirect Skill.
- Provides access to PubMed and other NCBI databases using EDirect command-line tools.
- Includes comprehensive documentation: installation, basics, advanced usage, examples, and quick reference.
- Integrates with OpenClaw exec for executing EDirect utilities (`esearch`, `efetch`, `xtract`, etc.).
- Offers ready-to-use bash scripts for common tasks such as batch fetching abstracts, exporting search results, and analyzing publication trends.
- Supports structured data extraction, batch processing, and cross-database linking capabilities.
Metadata
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pubmed Edirect?
Search and retrieve literature from PubMed using NCBI's EDirect command-line tools. ⚠️ Advanced skill requiring manual installation. It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 2609 downloads so far.
How do I install Pubmed Edirect?
Run "/install pubmed-edirect" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.
Is Pubmed Edirect free?
Yes, Pubmed Edirect is completely free (open-source). You can download, install and use it at no cost.
Which platforms does Pubmed Edirect support?
Pubmed Edirect is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).
Who created Pubmed Edirect?
It is built and maintained by KGTAF (@killgfat); the current version is v0.4.4.
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