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Papis

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hostedWeb

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Papis's own site

What Papis is

Papis is a free, open-source command-line tool for managing documents and bibliographic records. It keeps bibliographic details in human-readable YAML files, which users can search by fields such as author, title, and tags. It can import records from other bibliography managers, retrieve document metadata automatically, and export to BibTeX and other formats. Importers can obtain information from online sources including arXiv and Crossref. The project lists plugins for Vim, Neovim, and Emacs, as well as integrations with rofi, dmenu, Zotero, and Firefox. Python package entry points let third parties add plugins such as importers and downloaders, and a Python API is available for scripting. Papis also includes a web app that can be run locally with `papis serve`; the documented address is `http://localhost:8888`. Installation options include pip, source, Arch Linux AUR, Nix, and a Guix recipe. Records are stored locally, and the project describes sharing documents without a proprietary service. If a website lacks an importer, users may need to download its PDF and enter the metadata manually.

Who it suits

Papis suits people managing books and papers who are comfortable with a command-line interface. Its local web app may also suit users who want to access a library from a tablet.

What it does well

  • Stores bibliographic records in readable YAML files.
  • Searches by author, title, and tags.
  • Imports metadata from sources including arXiv and Crossref.
  • Exports to BibTeX and other formats.
  • Python API supports scripting.

What to know first

  • A missing website importer may mean manual metadata entry.
  • The main interface is command-line based.

Limits

When Papis has no importer for a website, users may need to download the PDF and enter its metadata manually.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
PapisOpen-source CLI document and bibliography managerFree

As github.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Install Papis with pip, from source, through Arch Linux AUR or Nix, or using the Guix recipe.
  2. Use the command-line interface to manage documents and bibliographic records.
  3. Import records from another bibliography manager or use an importer for an online source.
  4. Start the web app locally with `papis serve` and open `http://localhost:8888`.

Verdict

Papis offers local document and bibliography management with import, export, search, and extension options. Check importer coverage for the sites you use, since some records may require manual entry.

Questions

Is Papis free?

Yes. Papis is free and open source; its listed plan is free.

Which platforms does Papis support?

Its listed platforms are API, Linux, self-hosted, and web.

Can Papis export to BibTeX?

Yes. It can export to BibTeX and other formats.

Can I use Papis with an editor?

The project lists plugins for Vim, Neovim, and Emacs.

Does Papis have a web app?

Yes. Run `papis serve` to start it locally; the documented address is `http://localhost:8888`.

What if a website has no importer?

The quick guide says users may need to download the PDF and enter its metadata manually.

Facts from Papis's own pages

API
Papis provides a Python API intended for users to create scripts. · papis.readthedocs.io, 4 Oct 2026
Audience
The project presents Papis for people managing books and papers, and its web app is suggested for cases such as using a tablet. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Editor integrations
The project lists plugins for Vim, Neovim, and Emacs. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Extensibility
Papis supports third-party plugins through Python package entry points, including importers and downloaders. · papis.readthedocs.io, 4 Oct 2026
Import and export
Papis can import from other bibliography managers and export to BibTeX and other formats. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Installation
The documentation describes installation with pip, from source, and through Arch Linux AUR, Nix, and a Guix recipe. · papis.readthedocs.io, 4 Oct 2026
Limit
The quick guide says that if Papis lacks an importer for a website, users may need to download the PDF and enter metadata manually. · papis.readthedocs.io, 4 Oct 2026
Metadata
It stores bibliographic data in human-readable YAML files. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Metadata retrieval
Papis can automatically fetch document metadata, and its importers retrieve data from online sources such as arXiv and Crossref. · papis.readthedocs.io, 4 Oct 2026
Other integrations
The project ecosystem lists integrations including rofi, dmenu, Zotero, and Firefox. · papis.readthedocs.io, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
Papis manages documents and bibliographic records through a command-line interface. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Search
Users can search their library by fields such as author, title, and tags. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Security and privacy
The project describes storing records in local YAML files and sharing documents without requiring a proprietary service; the pages opened do not state security certifications or compliance claims. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Support
The project directs users to GitHub Discussions for questions and GitHub Issues for bugs. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Web app
Papis includes a web app that can be started locally with `papis serve`, with the README showing `http://localhost:8888` as the address. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

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