# Download References

> Download, search, batch-resolve, cite, and organize academic papers using scansci-pdf with an authorized-access-first workflow. Use when the user asks to download DOI/arXiv PDFs, batch-download references from DOI lists or BibTeX, search literature then fetch PDFs, export BibTeX/RIS/EndNote, push downloaded papers to Zotero, troubleshoot paper download failures, or use Central South University resources, CARSI, WebVPN, EZProxy, publisher institutional login, document delivery, or literature-help accounts for non-OA articles.

- Skill: `liujiayi3703/download-references` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add liujiayi3703/download-references`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/liujiayi3703/download-references/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Docs & Writing
- Author: liujiayi3703 (https://skillmd.com/u/liujiayi3703)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/liujiayi3703/download-references

---


# Download References

## Core Rule

Use authorized access first. Prefer open access, Central South University subscriptions, CARSI/WebVPN/EZProxy, publisher institutional login, library document delivery, and the user's literature-help account. Do not default to Sci-Hub/LibGen; if upstream tools expose those paths, keep them disabled unless the user explicitly asks and the compliance risk has been explained.

## Backend

Use `scansci-pdf` MCP tools when available. If they are not available, tell the user to install the bundled upstream implementation from `vendor/scansci-pdf` or from PyPI:

```powershell
pip install "scansci-pdf[cloakbrowser,instsci]"
scansci-pdf check
```

For detailed tool names and call examples, read `references/scansci-pdf-tools.md`.

## Workflow

1. Identify input type: DOI/arXiv, DOI list, BibTeX/RIS/EndNote, paper titles, keyword search, or failed-download report.
2. For broad keyword search, call search first and ask the user to confirm selected papers before downloading.
3. For known DOI/arXiv IDs, download directly with `scihub_enabled=false` and `bibtex=true` when citation export is useful.
4. If a paywall or access failure occurs, run institution login: first `scansci_pdf_login(identifier=DOI)`, then CARSI/WebVPN/EZProxy only when needed.
5. If institution access fails, produce a document-delivery or literature-help request list with title, DOI, journal, year, publisher, URL, and failure reason.
6. Report successes, failures, saved paths, citation exports, and the recommended next action for each failed item.

## Central South University Defaults

When the user mentions 中南大学, CSU, school database, CARSI, WebVPN, non-OA journals, or literature-help accounts:

- Prefer `Central South University` / `中南大学` in publisher institution search.
- Use CARSI or publisher `Access through your institution` before WebVPN-specific automation.
- Never ask for or store the user's password. Let login happen in the browser.
- Keep batch concurrency moderate, for example `batch_workers=5`.
- For unresolved non-OA papers, prepare a clean request list for CSU document delivery or the user's literature-help website.

## Common Calls

Single DOI:

```text
scansci_pdf_download(identifier="10.xxxx/xxxxx", output_dir="D:/papers", scihub_enabled=false, bibtex=true)
```

Paywalled DOI with institution login:

```text
scansci_pdf_login(identifier="10.xxxx/xxxxx")
scansci_pdf_download(identifier="10.xxxx/xxxxx", output_dir="D:/papers", scihub_enabled=false, bibtex=true)
```

Batch DOI list:

```text
scansci_pdf_batch_download(identifiers=[...], output_dir="D:/papers", scihub_enabled=false, resume=true)
```

BibTeX or mixed reference list:

```text
scansci_pdf_resolve_and_download(file_path="references.bib", output_dir="D:/papers", scihub_enabled=false, resolve_titles=true)
```

## Output Format

End with:

- downloaded count and failed count
- output directory
- citation export status
- failed DOI/title list with reason and next channel
- any login, API key, or manual step the user must perform