Lixplore-cli is a Unix-inspired command-line tool for searching scientific literature, built for terminal enthusiasts who prefer speed, automation, and minimal interfaces.
Search across multiple academic databases (PubMed, arXiv, Crossref, DOAJ, EuropePMC) with Boolean operators, smart selection, and export to 8 formats including EndNote, Excel, and BibTeX.
This is free and open source software.
Features include:
- Multi-Source Search – Search 5 academic databases simultaneously (PubMed, arXiv, Crossref, DOAJ, EuropePMC).
- Boolean Operators – Advanced queries with AND, OR, NOT, parentheses.
- Smart Sorting – Sort by relevance, newest, oldest, journal, or author.
- Smart Selection – Export odd/even, ranges, first/last N articles.
- 8 Export Formats – CSV, Excel, JSON, BibTeX, RIS, EndNote, XML.
- Review Mode – View articles in separate terminal windows.
- Deduplication – Advanced duplicate removal with multiple strategies.
- Organized Exports – Auto-organized folders by format type.
Advanced Features:
- PDF Downloads – Automatic PDF downloads from PMC, arXiv, Unpaywall, and SciHub (optional).
- PDF Link Display – Show clickable PDF links for open access articles in terminal.
- Reference Manager Integration – Direct Zotero API integration and Mendeley RIS export.
- Statistics Dashboard – Comprehensive analytics with visualizations (publication trends, top journals, top authors).
- Interactive TUI Mode – Browse, select, and export with an interactive terminal UI.
- Citation Export – Format citations in APA, MLA, Chicago, IEEE styles.
- Custom API Integration – Plugin architecture for any REST API (Springer, BASE, etc.).
- Metadata Enrichment – Auto-enrich results from multiple APIs (Crossref, PubMed, arXiv).
- Smart Caching – 7-day cache with automatic expiration.
- Pagination – Browse large result sets with automatic pagination.
- Export Profiles – Save and reuse export configurations.
- Export Templates – Predefined templates (Nature, Science, IEEE).
- Export Compression – ZIP compression for batch exports.
Website: github.com/pryndor/Lixplore_cli
Support:
Developer: Balasubramanian Periannan
License: MIT License

Lixplore-cli is written in Python. Learn Python with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
| Popular series | |
|---|---|
| The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. | |
| Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. | |
| The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions. | |
| Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, SAS, Progress, Salesforce, and Citrix | |
| Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. | |
| Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. | |
| New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. | |
| Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. | |
| Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. | |
| Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. | |
| Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. | |
| Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. | |
| Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. | |
| Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. | |
| Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. | |
| Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. | |
| Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. | |
| Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. | |
| These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! | |
| These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. | |
| Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. | |
| Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. | |