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Abstract Searcher

Add abstracts to .bib file entries by searching academic databases (arXiv, Semantic Scholar, CrossRe

Rating
4 (127 reviews)
Downloads
624 downloads
Version
1.0.0

Overview

Add abstracts to .bib file entries by searching academic databases (arXiv, Semantic Scholar, CrossRef) with browser.

Key Features

1

Attach Chrome tab

2

Open Google Scholar and search

3

Click the result

4

Extract abstract from the page

5

Copy and format for BibTeX

Complete Documentation

View Source →

Abstract Searcher

Automatically fetch and add abstracts to BibTeX entries.

Usage

Given a .bib file, this skill will:

  • Parse each BibTeX entry
  • Search for the abstract using multiple sources:
  • arXiv API (for arXiv papers)
  • Semantic Scholar API
  • CrossRef API
  • OpenAlex API
  • If APIs fail: Use browser automation to search Google Scholar
  • Add abstract={...} to each entry
  • Return the complete modified .bib file

Quick Start

bash
# Process a bib file (API-based)
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/add_abstracts.py input.bib > output.bib

API Sources (No keys required)

  • arXiv API: http://export.arxiv.org/api/query?search_query=...
  • Semantic Scholar: https://api.semanticscholar.org/graph/v1/paper/search?query=...
  • CrossRef: https://api.crossref.org/works?query.title=...
  • OpenAlex: https://api.openalex.org/works?search=...

Browser Fallback (IMPORTANT!)

When APIs fail to find an abstract, use Chrome browser relay like a real person:

Step 1: Attach Chrome tab

text
# Check if tab is attached
browser action=tabs profile=chrome

# If no tabs, ask user to click the Clawdbot Browser Relay toolbar icon
# Or use mac-control skill to auto-click it

Step 2: Open Google Scholar and search

text
browser action=open profile=chrome targetUrl="https://scholar.google.com"
browser action=snapshot profile=chrome

# Type the paper title in search box
browser action=act profile=chrome request={"kind":"type","ref":"search box ref","text":"paper title here"}
browser action=act profile=chrome request={"kind":"press","key":"Enter"}
browser action=snapshot profile=chrome

Step 3: Click the result

text
# Find the paper in results, click to open
browser action=act profile=chrome request={"kind":"click","ref":"paper title link ref"}
browser action=snapshot profile=chrome

Step 4: Extract abstract from the page

  • ScienceDirect: Look for "Abstract" section in snapshot
  • ACL Anthology: Abstract is directly visible at top
  • Springer/Wiley: May need to click "Abstract" to expand
  • PubMed: Abstract is usually visible

Step 5: Copy and format for BibTeX

text
# Get the abstract text from snapshot
# Clean it: remove newlines, escape special chars
# Add to bib entry: abstract={...},

Tips:

  • Use profile=chrome to use real Chrome with your login sessions
  • Google Scholar rarely blocks real Chrome browsers
  • ScienceDirect/IEEE may need institutional login (your Chrome has it)
  • Always verify the paper title matches before copying abstract!

Notes

  • Rate limiting: 2 seconds between API requests
  • Browser fallback should find almost all papers
  • Abstracts are cleaned (newlines removed, escaped for BibTeX)
  • Always verify the abstract matches the correct paper!

Installation

Terminal bash

openclaw install abstract-searcher
    
Copied!

💻Code Examples

python3 {baseDir}/scripts/add_abstracts.py input.bib > output.bib

python3-basedirscriptsaddabstractspy-inputbib--outputbib.txt
## API Sources (No keys required)

1. **arXiv API**: `http://export.arxiv.org/api/query?search_query=...`
2. **Semantic Scholar**: `https://api.semanticscholar.org/graph/v1/paper/search?query=...`
3. **CrossRef**: `https://api.crossref.org/works?query.title=...`
4. **OpenAlex**: `https://api.openalex.org/works?search=...`

## Browser Fallback (IMPORTANT!)

When APIs fail to find an abstract, **use Chrome browser relay like a real person**:

### Step 1: Attach Chrome tab

browser action=snapshot profile=chrome

browser-actionsnapshot-profilechrome.txt
### Step 4: Extract abstract from the page
- **ScienceDirect**: Look for "Abstract" section in snapshot
- **ACL Anthology**: Abstract is directly visible at top
- **Springer/Wiley**: May need to click "Abstract" to expand
- **PubMed**: Abstract is usually visible

### Step 5: Copy and format for BibTeX
example.txt
# Check if tab is attached
browser action=tabs profile=chrome

# If no tabs, ask user to click the Clawdbot Browser Relay toolbar icon
# Or use mac-control skill to auto-click it
example.txt
browser action=open profile=chrome targetUrl="https://scholar.google.com"
browser action=snapshot profile=chrome

# Type the paper title in search box
browser action=act profile=chrome request={"kind":"type","ref":"search box ref","text":"paper title here"}
browser action=act profile=chrome request={"kind":"press","key":"Enter"}
browser action=snapshot profile=chrome
example.txt
# Find the paper in results, click to open
browser action=act profile=chrome request={"kind":"click","ref":"paper title link ref"}
browser action=snapshot profile=chrome
example.txt
# Get the abstract text from snapshot
# Clean it: remove newlines, escape special chars
# Add to bib entry: abstract={...},

Tags

#devops_and-cloud #data #database

Quick Info

Category Development
Model Claude 3.5
Complexity One-Click
Author easonc13
Last Updated 3/10/2026
🚀
Optimized for
Claude 3.5
🧠

Ready to Install?

Get started with this skill in seconds

openclaw install abstract-searcher