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Install in OpenClaw
/install zotero-scholar
Description
Save academic papers with metadata, PDF links, and AI summaries to your Zotero library using credentials set in ZOTERO_CREDENTIALS (userid:apiKey).
Usage Guidance
This skill appears to do exactly what it says: create Zotero items (and optionally attach PDFs) using ZOTERO_CREDENTIALS in the format userID:apiKey. Before installing, verify the source of the Homebrew 'uv' formula (it's an uncommon package name) and ensure your runtime has Python and the pyzotero package installed. Keep your ZOTERO_CREDENTIALS secret—the script will use them to write to your Zotero library. Note that arXiv PDF downloads and uploads happen temporarily on disk and then are uploaded to Zotero; the temporary files are removed, but the upload requires network access. If you are uncomfortable granting write access to your Zotero account, do not install or provide credentials.
Capability Analysis
Type: OpenClaw Skill
Name: zotero-scholar
Version: 0.0.2
The skill is designed to save academic papers to a user's Zotero library. It reads Zotero API credentials from the `ZOTERO_CREDENTIALS` environment variable, which is necessary for its stated function. The Python script interacts with the Zotero API to create entries and notes, and conditionally downloads PDFs from `arxiv.org` URLs to attach them. There is no evidence of intentional data exfiltration beyond using the provided Zotero credentials for their intended purpose, no malicious execution, persistence mechanisms, or prompt injection attempts against the agent in `SKILL.md`. All network and file system interactions are directly related to the skill's described functionality.
Capability Assessment
Purpose & Capability
The name/description (save papers to Zotero) matches the code and required env var (ZOTERO_CREDENTIALS). The script uses the pyzotero library and the ZOTERO_CREDENTIALS (userid:apiKey) to create items and attach PDFs—this is consistent with the stated purpose. The only mild oddity: the skill requires a 'uv' binary to run the script instead of invoking python directly; this is a convenience/runtime choice rather than a mismatch in capability.
Instruction Scope
SKILL.md instructs running the included script via 'uv run' and to set ZOTERO_CREDENTIALS. The script only reads that env var and the provided CLI arguments; it does not attempt to read unrelated files, other environment variables, or contact endpoints outside of Zotero and (optionally) arXiv for PDF downloads. No open-ended or vague instructions that grant broad discretionary data access.
Install Mechanism
Install spec only installs a Homebrew formula 'uv' (creates a uv binary). This is a low-risk, package-manager-based install, but 'uv' is an uncommon binary name—verify the formula/source before installing. The script declares a Python dependency (pyzotero>=1.6.0) in its header, but the install spec does not install Python packages; the user will need to ensure pyzotero is present in the runtime environment (e.g., pip install pyzotero).
Credentials
Only ZOTERO_CREDENTIALS is required and used by the script; that credential is necessary and proportionate for creating items in a Zotero user library. No extra or unrelated secrets/config paths are requested.
Persistence & Privilege
The skill is not always-enabled and does not request elevated or persistent platform-wide privileges. It does not modify other skills or global agent settings; file writes are limited to a temporary directory when downloading PDFs.
How to Use
- Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
- Run the install command in chat:
/install zotero-scholar - After installation, invoke the skill by name or use
/zotero-scholar - Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
Version History
v0.0.2
- Updated skill description to clarify ZOTERO_CREDENTIALS formatting and usage.
- Changed metadata emoji from 🧠 to 📚.
- Added explicit brew-based install instructions for the uv binary in metadata.
- Improved documentation for environment variable configuration and usage examples.
- Removed detailed dependency section regarding PEP 723 and streamlined the instructions.
Metadata
Frequently Asked Questions
What is zotero-scholar?
Save academic papers with metadata, PDF links, and AI summaries to your Zotero library using credentials set in ZOTERO_CREDENTIALS (userid:apiKey). It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 1422 downloads so far.
How do I install zotero-scholar?
Run "/install zotero-scholar" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.
Is zotero-scholar free?
Yes, zotero-scholar is completely free (open-source). You can download, install and use it at no cost.
Which platforms does zotero-scholar support?
zotero-scholar is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).
Who created zotero-scholar?
It is built and maintained by GottenZZP (@gottenzzp); the current version is v0.0.2.
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