paper-lookup

Search academic paper databases and retrieve papers, preprints, and open access copies.

Updated May 8, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Zeyuyang-0420/bio-ai-research-skills --skill paper-lookup-zeyuyang-0420
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: paper-lookup
Source: https://github.com/Zeyuyang-0420/bio-ai-research-skills/tree/main/categories/scientific-communication/paper-lookup
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Zeyuyang-0420/bio-ai-research-skills --skill paper-lookup-zeyuyang-0420

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires requests, pyyaml, json, yaml, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) and assets (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill simplifies the process of searching for academic papers across various databases, providing a streamlined way to access research articles, preprints, and scholarly literature.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Cross-Database Search: Search across 10 academic paper databases simultaneously.
  • Identifier Lookup: Quickly find papers using DOI, PMID, or other identifiers.
  • Open Access Access: Retrieve open access copies of papers when available.
  • Use Case: Need to find the latest preprint on a specific topic? Use this Skill to search multiple databases and access the paper directly.

Quick Start

Use the paper-lookup skill to find papers on "CRISPR gene therapy".

Frequently Asked Questions about paper-lookup

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I search for academic papers across multiple databases at once?

You can search for academic papers by querying up to ten databases like PubMed, arXiv, and Semantic Scholar simultaneously. This retrieves comprehensive information on scholarly articles and preprints matching your specific topic in one streamlined request.

How do I find an open access copy of a paper using a DOI?

To find an open access copy of a paper using a DOI, perform an identifier lookup. The Skill queries databases like Unpaywall and CORE to locate and retrieve available open access versions of the scholarly literature directly.

Can I retrieve preprints from bioRxiv and medRxiv?

Yes, you can retrieve preprints from bioRxiv and medRxiv. The Skill integrates with these specific preprint servers alongside OpenAlex and Crossref to search for and access scholarly literature by topic or identifier.

What databases are supported for scholarly literature lookup?

Supported databases for scholarly literature lookup include PubMed, PMC, bioRxiv, medRxiv, arXiv, OpenAlex, Crossref, Semantic Scholar, CORE, and Unpaywall. The Skill searches these ten sources to find research articles and open access copies.

Do I need API access to search for open access scholarly articles?

Yes, you need API access to search for open access scholarly articles. The Skill requires API access to platforms like PubMed, OpenAlex, and Unpaywall to execute cross-database searches and retrieve open access copies.

What is the best way to find research articles on a specific topic like CRISPR gene therapy?

The best way to find research articles on a specific topic like CRISPR gene therapy is to use a cross-database search. Querying multiple academic paper databases simultaneously retrieves relevant papers, preprints, and scholarly literature efficiently.