Abstract Searcher

Automatically fetch and add abstracts to BibTeX entries.

Usage

Given a .bib file, this skill will:

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

Quick Start

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

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

# 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

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

# 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

# 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!