jabref

open-source bibliography reference manager

TLDR

Start JabRef

$ jabref

Open bibliography file

$ jabref [library.bib]

Import from file

$ jabref -i [refs.ris]

Export to a file

$ jabref -i [library.bib] -o [output.html]

Fetch entries from an online fetcher

$ jabref --fetch=[arxiv]:[query]

Run headless without the GUI

$ jabref --nogui -i [library.bib] -o [output.html]

JabRef is an open-source bibliography reference manager. It uses BibTeX/BibLaTeX format natively and integrates with LaTeX editors like TeXstudio, Emacs, and VS Code.JabRef can import from many formats (RIS, EndNote, PubMed), fetch references from online databases, and manage PDF attachments. It supports grouping, searching, and automatic key generation.

PARAMETERS

file

BibTeX file to open.

-i, --import file[,format]

Import or load a file with optional format specification.

-o, --output file[,format]

Export to a file with optional format.

-m, --exportMatches [field]searchTerm,outputFile

Save database entries matching a search query.

-f, --fetch fetcher:query

Query a web fetcher (e.g., arxiv, doi, pubmed) and import results.

-a, --aux infile,outfile base-file

Extract a sub-database from a LaTeX .aux file.

-g, --generateCitationKeys

Regenerate all citation keys in the opened library.

-b, --blank

Do not open any files at startup.

-n, --nogui

Suppress the GUI and exit after processing commands.

-v, --version

Display the version number.

--debug

Enable debug-level logging.

-h, --help

Show help and list supported import/export formats.

FEATURES

- BibTeX/BibLaTeX native format- Web search (DOI, arXiv, PubMed)- PDF and file management- Duplicate detection- Custom entry types- Shared databases

CAVEATS

Requires Java runtime. Large libraries may be slow. Some web fetchers have rate limits.

HISTORY

JabRef was started by Morten O. Alver in 2003 as an open-source alternative to commercial reference managers. It's maintained by a community of developers and is popular in academic circles.