Verify, repair, explain, and generate BibTeX references with Bibverify's DOI-first CLI and MCP tools.
---
name: bibverify
description: Verify, repair, explain, and generate BibTeX references with Bibverify's DOI-first CLI and MCP tools.
metadata:
openclaw:
requires:
bins:
- bibverify
---
# Bibverify
Use this skill when the user asks to verify a `.bib` file, repair BibTeX metadata, generate BibTeX from a DOI, explain why a reference lookup source was chosen, or compare original vs updated BibTeX fields.
## Preferred Path
If the Bibverify MCP server is available, call its tools directly:
- `doi_to_bibtex`: Convert a DOI, DOI URL, or DOI-prefixed value to BibTeX.
- `rank_lookup_sources`: Explain the effective lookup order for a title and optional BibTeX entry.
- `explain_update_diff`: Compare original and updated BibTeX-like entry objects.
- `verify_bib_file`: Verify a `.bib` file through a Bibverify config file.
Prefer `doi_to_bibtex` for one DOI. Prefer `verify_bib_file` for project-level reference checks.
## CLI Fallback
If MCP is not configured but the `bibverify` command is available:
```bash
bibverify --doi 10.1038/nature12373 --key example2013
bibverify config.json
```
For first-time setup, tell the user to install Bibverify from PyPI and create a minimal config:
```bash
pip install -U bibverify
```
```json
{
"language": "EN",
"bib_file": "references.bib",
"user_info": {
"email": "your_email@example.com",
"app_name": "Bibverify"
}
}
```
## Safety
- Do not silently overwrite the source `.bib` file.
- Tell the user that Bibverify writes timestamped backup, updated, and problem-entry files using the input `.bib` filename stem.
- Do not invent missing bibliographic metadata. Use Bibverify results and explain uncertainty when sources disagree.
- Do not expose API keys or local config secrets in the answer.
## Response Style
Summarize what Bibverify checked, which sources were used or preferred, which entries changed, and where generated files were written. For user-facing explanations, focus on DOI-first lookup, dynamic source ranking, field differences, and remaining entries that need manual review.
don't have the plugin yet? install it then click "run inline in claude" again.