biorxiv-database

Retrieve bioRxiv preprint metadata by keywords, authors, dates, or categories.

18|1|Updated Dec 27, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/LogauaEngstrom/claude-scientific-skills --skill biorxiv-database-logauaengstrom
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: biorxiv-database
Source: https://github.com/LogauaEngstrom/claude-scientific-skills/tree/main/scientific-skills/biorxiv-database
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/LogauaEngstrom/claude-scientific-skills --skill biorxiv-database-logauaengstrom

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires requests, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

bioRxiv hosts a large volume of life sciences preprints, but efficiently locating relevant papers and gathering consistent metadata across searches is time-consuming and error-prone.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Efficient search by keywords, authors, dates, and subject categories across bioRxiv.
  • Structured metadata output including title, authors, date, DOI, category, abstract, and PDF URL for easy downstream analysis.
  • Literature review workflows: perform rapid literature sweeps, track authors, and assemble citation-ready datasets.

Quick Start

Ask the skill to search bioRxiv for papers by keywords, authors, dates, or categories and export structured metadata.

Frequently Asked Questions about biorxiv-database

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I search bioRxiv preprints and export structured metadata for literature reviews?

To search bioRxiv preprints, you can use keywords, authors, dates, or subject categories to retrieve structured JSON metadata including title, authors, date, DOI, category, abstract, and PDF URL. This allows rapid literature sweeps and assembly of citation-ready datasets.

Can I filter bioRxiv paper searches by date range and specific subject categories?

Yes, you can filter bioRxiv paper searches by specific date ranges and subject categories. The search functionality supports date-range and category filtering, alongside author matching, to efficiently narrow down relevant preprints for targeted literature review workflows.

Does this tool support downloading PDFs along with the abstract and DOI metadata?

Yes, the tool supports optional PDF downloads alongside retrieving structured metadata. It returns a JSON output containing the title, authors, date, DOI, category, abstract, and the direct PDF URL, making it suitable for downstream analysis and citation management.

What is the best way to track specific authors across bioRxiv preprints?

The best way to track specific authors is using the author matching feature during your bioRxiv search. This function filters preprints by author names and returns structured metadata, enabling you to monitor publications and assemble citation-ready datasets efficiently.

Are there rate limits or error handling considerations when retrieving bioRxiv metadata?

Yes, the metadata retrieval process includes robust error handling and rate limiting to ensure stable and reliable data extraction. These built-in protections prevent request failures and maintain consistent JSON formatting suitable for downstream analysis workflows.