paper-lookup

Query multiple scholarly APIs to retrieve papers, metadata, and citations.

321|26|Updated Mar 10, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/mkurman/tamux --skill paper-lookup-mkurman
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: paper-lookup
Source: https://github.com/mkurman/tamux/tree/main/skills/scientific-skills/paper-lookup
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/mkurman/tamux --skill paper-lookup-mkurman

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Finding scholarly papers across multiple databases can be time-consuming and error-prone. This skill automates cross-database searches and consolidates results from many sources.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Cross-database search across PubMed, PMC, bioRxiv, medRxiv, arXiv, OpenAlex, Crossref, Semantic Scholar, CORE, and Unpaywall to locate papers, preprints, and metadata.
  • Retrieve metadata, abstracts, citations, and open-access availability; fetch full text when available.
  • Return per-database raw responses and a provenance list of databases queried; supports DOI/PMID lookups and topic-based searches; handles zero results gracefully.

Quick Start

Provide your query (topic, DOI, or PMID) and I will query the best databases, fetch results, and return the citations.

Frequently Asked Questions about paper-lookup

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I search multiple paper databases at once for scholarly literature?

To search multiple paper databases at once, provide your query to consolidate raw responses and provenance lists across PubMed, Crossref, OpenAlex, Semantic Scholar, bioRxiv, medRxiv, arXiv, CORE, and Unpaywall.

Can I find open access papers using a DOI or PMID lookup?

Yes, you can find open access papers using DOI or PMID lookups by querying Unpaywall and other databases to retrieve abstracts, metadata, and open-access availability.

What is the best way to retrieve research preprints from arXiv and bioRxiv?

The best way to retrieve research preprints from arXiv and bioRxiv is to perform a cross-database topic search that returns raw responses and metadata from the appropriate REST API endpoints.

Does this approach handle rate limits when querying academic REST APIs?

Yes, querying academic REST APIs handles rate limits by gracefully managing empty results and reporting the specific databases used to ensure you know which sources returned data.

How do I get citations and metadata for a specific scholarly article?

To get citations and metadata for a specific scholarly article, execute a DOI or PMID lookup to fetch abstracts, citation data, and open-access availability across multiple queried databases.