> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.paperzilla.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Use the Paperzilla CLI with OpenClaw

> Install the Paperzilla skill in OpenClaw so your agent can use the pz CLI to list projects, browse or search feeds, inspect paper metadata, and fetch markdown.

export const AiAgents = ({path}) => <Tip>
    <b>AI agents</b>: This page is available as <a href={path + '.md'}>markdown</a>. See also the <a href="/llms.txt">docs index</a> and <a href="/llms-full.txt">full docs</a>.
  </Tip>;

<AiAgents path="/guides/openclaw" />

Use this guide when you want OpenClaw to use the Paperzilla CLI (`pz`) directly.

This is the CLI-based path. If you want Paperzilla over MCP instead, use [Use Paperzilla with MCP](/guides/mcp) or [Use Paperzilla MCP with Claude](/guides/claude).

## Before you start

* OpenClaw installed
* `pz` installed. If you have not installed it yet, start with the [CLI guide](/guides/cli).
* `pz` authenticated with `pz login`
* At least one Paperzilla project in your account

## How this works

The Paperzilla skill teaches OpenClaw when to use the `pz` CLI.

It does not replace the `pz` binary or your Paperzilla login.

OpenClaw can find the skill when you mention it in your request.

## Step 1: install and test the Paperzilla CLI

Install `pz`, then log in:

```bash theme={null}
pz login
```

Confirm the CLI works before you add the skill:

```bash theme={null}
pz project list
```

If this command does not work yet, fix the CLI setup first. OpenClaw depends on the same local `pz` install.

## Step 2: install the Paperzilla skill in OpenClaw

If you are using current OpenClaw, install the skill with the native OpenClaw command:

```bash theme={null}
openclaw skills install paperzilla
```

If you already use the separate ClawHub CLI, this also works:

```bash theme={null}
clawhub install paperzilla
```

`openclaw skills install` installs into the active workspace `skills/` directory.

The separate `clawhub` CLI installs into `./skills` under your current working directory, or falls back to the configured OpenClaw workspace.

<Note>If your OpenClaw version is older and `openclaw skills install paperzilla` fails because `skills` does not accept subcommands yet, use `clawhub install paperzilla` instead.</Note>

## Updating the skill

To update the Paperzilla skill to the latest published version:

```bash theme={null}
openclaw skills update paperzilla
```

If you use the separate ClawHub CLI instead:

```bash theme={null}
clawhub update paperzilla
```

To update every installed skill:

```bash theme={null}
clawhub update --all
```

## Step 3: ask OpenClaw to use Paperzilla

After install, ask OpenClaw to use Paperzilla in the workspace where you installed the skill.

You can ask for things like:

* "List my Paperzilla projects."
* "Show the newest must-read papers from my agents project."
* "Search my agents project for proximity graphs papers."
* "Open the newest must-read paper and summarize the metadata."
* "Get markdown for that paper."
* "Compare the two most recent must-read papers from this week."
* "Get the Atom feed URL for my evaluation project."

## What OpenClaw can do through the skill

The skill wraps the same `pz` workflows documented in the CLI guide.

That includes:

* listing projects
* opening one project
* browsing a feed with filters like `--must-read`, `--since`, and `--limit`
* searching the full feed with `pz feed search --project-id <id> --query <q>`
* opening one paper by UUID, short ID, or feed item ID
* fetching raw paper markdown
* getting an Atom feed URL

## When to use this vs MCP

Use OpenClaw plus CLI when:

* your agent already works in a terminal or workspace
* you want to reuse the local `pz` session
* you prefer deterministic CLI output and shell-friendly workflows

Use [MCP](/guides/mcp) when:

* your client already supports MCP directly
* you want a remote tool surface instead of a local CLI dependency
* you do not want to install `pz` in the agent environment

## Troubleshooting

### OpenClaw does not seem to use Paperzilla

Mention Paperzilla explicitly in the request so OpenClaw has a clear reason to use the skill.

### `pz` works in your shell but not for OpenClaw

Make sure `pz` is on `PATH` in the environment where OpenClaw runs.

### `clawhub` is not installed

That is fine. Use `openclaw skills install paperzilla` instead. The separate `clawhub` CLI is mainly for registry workflows such as publish or sync.

### You get no projects or no papers

Check the underlying CLI first:

```bash theme={null}
pz project list
pz feed <project-id>
```

If the CLI shows no data, fix that first in Paperzilla or the local CLI session.

### Markdown is not ready yet

The Paperzilla CLI may ask you to try again shortly if markdown generation is still pending.

## Related

* [CLI guide](/guides/cli)
* [Agent workflows](/guides/agent-workflows)
* [Use OpenClaw and Telegram for research briefs](/guides/openclaw-telegram-briefs)
* [Does Paperzilla have an OpenClaw skill?](/answers/openclaw-skill)