Pubmed Database

Direct HTTP access to PubMed's E-utilities REST API for systematic literature searches and citation management. You'll use this when you need to construct complex Boolean queries with MeSH terms, pull batches of abstracts programmatically, or build automated literature monitoring workflows. The skill covers search syntax (field tags like [mh] for MeSH, [tiab] for title/abstract), all the core E-utilities endpoints (ESearch, EFetch, ESummary), and practical patterns for systematic reviews using PICO frameworks. If you're doing Python work, the docs suggest using biopython's Bio.Entrez instead. This is for raw REST calls or custom implementations where you need control over the HTTP layer.

skills.sh installs: 713
GitHub stars: 33.2K
last updated: Aug 21, 2026

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Install

$ npx -y skills add davila7/claude-code-templates --skill pubmed-database --agent claude-code

Installs into .claude/skills of the current project.

Files

PubMed Database

Overview

PubMed is the U.S. National Library of Medicine's comprehensive database providing free access to MEDLINE and life sciences literature. Construct advanced queries with Boolean operators, MeSH terms, and field tags, access data programmatically via E-utilities API for systematic reviews and literature analysis.

When to Use This Skill

This skill should be used when:

Searching for biomedical or life sciences research articles
Constructing complex search queries with Boolean operators, field tags, or MeSH terms
Conducting systematic literature reviews or meta-analyses
Accessing PubMed data programmatically via the E-utilities API
Finding articles by specific criteria (author, journal, publication date, article type)
Retrieving citation information, abstracts, or full-text articles
Working with PMIDs (PubMed IDs) or DOIs
Creating automated workflows for literature monitoring or data extraction