In the DeepSeek Harness (DSH) plugin ecosystem, when writing code or conducting research, frequently switching between applications to manage references and read PDFs can interrupt the creative flow. DSH Literature is a literature tool installed in the sidebar that can directly identify literature sources in the conversation context, fetch metadata, download full texts, and provide a local PDF reader and citation generation.

This plugin is maintained by Aik358, released under the MIT License, runs entirely locally, and requires no cloud relay.

Core Features

The plugin mainly addresses the integrated problem of literature acquisition, management, and reading:

  • Built-in Literature Library: Identified downloaded references are stored locally in the plugin by default, without relying on external software. Supports exporting as a directory or linking with a local literature library.
  • Automatic Identification and Fetching: Automatically identifies DOI / arXiv ID / titles in model responses or pasted text, and calls APIs such as Crossref, arXiv, and OpenAlex to complete metadata.
  • Full Text Download: Supports multi-source OA downloads. When encountering paywalls or login walls, first log in via the browser, then download and import to add to the library.
  • Sidebar Reader: Built-in PDF reader supports zooming, page navigation, table of contents jumping, full-text search, highlighted notes (Markdown supported), and night reading mode.
  • Citation Generation: Supports multiple formats such as APA 7 / GB/T 7714 / MLA 9 / Chicago 17 / BibTeX, and supports reference lists, in-text citations, and direct quotations.
  • AI Assistant Integration: Select text in the reader to trigger translation, explanation, or summarization, and the result can be sent directly to the current conversation.

Installation and Enabling

Ensure the DeepSeek Harness version meets the requirements (>= 0.1.1-rc.2, Cordis v4), and the Node.js environment version is >= 20.

Run the following command to install the plugin:

dsh plugin --profile web add @a9i5k4/dsh-literature

After installation, restart the dsh web process for the sidebar to show the “Literature” entry.

Typical Usage

  1. Installation and Startup: After installation and restart, a literature management entry appears in the sidebar.
  2. Identifying Literature:
    • Ask the model in the dialog to return text containing a DOI or arXiv ID.
    • Or directly paste text similar to "DOI: 10.1038/xxxx" or "arXiv:1706.03762" into the input box.
  3. Import and Reading: After the system parses it and displays the entry, click “Download Full Text”, then click “Save” to store the entry in the built-in literature library.
  4. Exporting Citation: Right-click on the literature card, select a citation format (such as BibTeX), and copy it.

Applicable Scenarios and Notes

  • Environment Requirements: This plugin depends on DeepSeek Harness >= 0.1.1-rc.2, and the host environment must run Node >= 20.
  • Privacy and Localization: All requests are routed through the local loopback interface. Metadata requests connect directly to public APIs, without third-party relays and without uploading telemetry data.
  • Paywall Handling: For literature that requires logging in to access an institutional subscription, the plugin cannot directly bypass or download it. The correct workflow is to click “Open Login Page” to complete login in the browser, download the PDF, then click “Import Local PDF” to add it to the library.
  • Compatibility: If the dsh-better-sidebar plugin is installed, this plugin automatically registers as a right sidebar Tab. Otherwise, it occupies the left sidebar button slot by default.

Summary

DSH Literature deeply integrates the literature management workflow into the DSH sidebar, providing a one-stop closed loop from identification and download to reading and citation. For developers and researchers who frequently consult literature within AI conversations, this is a practical plugin that reduces tool switching and improves efficiency.