scansci-pdf

Download academic papers and export citations from DOI or arXiv inputs.

709|73|Updated May 2, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Rimagination/scansci-pdf --skill scansci-pdf-rimagination
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: scansci-pdf
Source: https://github.com/Rimagination/scansci-pdf/tree/main/skill
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Rimagination/scansci-pdf --skill scansci-pdf-rimagination

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires requests, BeautifulSoup, lxml, PyYAML, bibtexparser, pandas, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) and assets (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill simplifies the process of downloading academic papers, searching for research literature, managing citations, and accessing institutional resources, providing a streamlined solution for researchers and students.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Academic Paper Download: Retrieve and download full-text PDFs from various sources, including publishers, open access, and institutional access.
  • Literature Search: Search for papers by keywords, authors, or DOI using OpenAlex.
  • Citation Management: Export citations in BibTeX, RIS, or EndNote formats.
  • WebVPN Management: Access subscription papers through institutional proxies like WebVPN, CARSI, and EZProxy.
  • Use Case: A researcher needs to download a specific paper. They can use this Skill by providing the DOI or URL, and it will automatically attempt to download the paper using various sources.

Quick Start

Use the scansci-pdf skill to download a paper with DOI '10.1038/nature12373'.

Frequently Asked Questions about scansci-pdf

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I download academic papers automatically using a DOI or arXiv ID?

To download academic papers automatically, you provide a DOI, arXiv ID, or paper list URL. The Skill handles parallel downloads and retrieves full-text PDFs from publishers, open access sources, and institutional access points.

Can I access subscription research literature through my university's WebVPN?

Yes, you can access subscription research literature through institutional proxies. The Skill supports WebVPN, CARSI, and EZProxy to authenticate and download paywalled academic papers via your university access.

What is the best way to search for research literature and export citations in BibTeX?

The best way to search for research literature and export citations in BibTeX is using the built-in OpenAlex integration. You search by keywords, authors, or DOI, then automatically export citation management files in BibTeX, RIS, or EndNote formats.

Do I need Python and external libraries to manage institutional access for paper downloads?

Yes, you need Python and external libraries like requests, BeautifulSoup, lxml, and bibtexparser to manage institutional access. These dependencies are required for API access, data retrieval, and parsing during the paper download process.

Why does my academic paper download fail when trying to retrieve from publishers?

Academic paper downloads from publishers may fail if institutional access is not configured correctly. You must ensure your WebVPN, CARSI, or EZProxy credentials are valid and properly set up to authenticate subscription-based research literature retrieval.