Plugins / Reading & PDFs

Codex Bilingual Reader

by Mengqi97 · github.com/Mengqi97/codex-bilingual-reader-for-zotero

Preserved-layout English-Chinese PDF translation for Zotero using Codex or OpenAI-compatible APIs

View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.07 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
20
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
628
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
MIT
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it downloads a program checked against a fixed fingerprint, and runs it, and 1 more finding
Applies to v1.4.5, released 17 Aug 2026Code checked · tested installed in Zotero 9.0.6 on 27 Sep 2026
Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)Works with Zotero 7, 8, 9.
Another plugin uses the same IDOne other plugin shares this add-on ID. Zotero can only install one of them.
What we found in the codeSets the gradeThe worst finding in these three areas sets the grade.
Code transparencyReadable code; not yet checked against the published sourceThe developer uploaded the release file from the Mengqi97 account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.UnknownWe couldn't check this yet.
Updates
Updates come from this project's GitHub repositoryThe update address offers this version
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify11 addresses in 4 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (5)
Codex CLI (OpenAI)api.deepseek.comnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.api.openai.comnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.dashscope.aliyuncs.comnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.openrouter.ainamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.
Translation (3)
BabelDOC (the AI provider it's set up with)pdf2zh (Google Translate, or the translator it's set up with)pdf2zh-next (SiliconFlow, or the engine it's set up with)
Code hosting (2)
github.comnodejs.org
On your computer (1)
127.0.0.1named in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.
Where we found it
github.comcontent/runtime/install-preserved-pdf-runtime.ps1 · line 10
$engineUrl = "https://github.com/PDFMathTranslate-next/PDFMathTranslate-next/releases/download/v2.9.0/pdf2zh-v2.9.0-BabelDOC-v0.6.4-with-assets-win64.zip"
nodejs.orgcontent/runtime/install-preserved-pdf-runtime.ps1 · line 12
$nodeUrl = "https://nodejs.org/dist/v24.19.0/win-x64/node.exe"
Powerful capabilitiesDownloads a program checked against a fixed fingerprint, and runs it, and 4 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Downloads a program checked against a fixed fingerprint, and runs itmediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.Launches programs on your computermediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.Uses the clipboardlowLow concern.Stores API keys or passwordslowLow concern.Works with files on your computerlowLow concern.
Where we found it
Downloads a program checked against a fixed fingerprint, and runs itcontent/runtime/install-preserved-pdf-runtime.ps1 · line 38

Checked against a fingerprint written into the plugin

$curl = [IO.Path]::Combine($env:SystemRoot, "System32", "curl.exe")
Launches programs on your computerbootstrap.js · line 4

Programs it names include cmd, codex, codex.cmd, powershell, pythonw

"resource://gre/modules/Subprocess.sys.mjs",
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 7, 8, 9 · not 10, 11 betaDoesn't work with the current Zotero (10)MediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Zotero 7 ✓ worksZotero 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 10 ✗ doesn't workZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needAn API keyDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 17 Aug 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in English and ChineseInterface: English and Chinese
No further detail for this area yet.
We report what we found in the code. Open any area for the evidence.How we gradeReport a problem

What it does

Description coming soon. We haven't written a summary yet. The line above is the developer's own description; the developer's README is linked above.

What you'll need

Detected automatically
  • An API keyNeeds a key you get from the service (OpenAI (Codex CLI login or API key), DeepSeek, OpenRouter and Alibaba Qwen (DashScope)). What needs it: Either a local Codex CLI login (default backend) or an API key for OpenAI, DeepSeek or another provider.
  • Or: a model on your own computerIt can use a local model such as Ollama
  • Zotero 7, 8, 9Not working with Zotero 10

Where your data goes

We found: only contacts services we could identify. 11 addresses in 4 groups.

AI services (5)
Codex CLI (OpenAI)api.deepseek.comnamed in its codeapi.openai.comnamed in its codedashscope.aliyuncs.comnamed in its codeopenrouter.ainamed in its code
Translation (3)
BabelDOC (the AI provider it's set up with)pdf2zh (Google Translate, or the translator it's set up with)pdf2zh-next (SiliconFlow, or the engine it's set up with)
Code hosting (2)
github.comnodejs.org
On your computer (1)
127.0.0.1named in its code
Evidence · file and line
github.comcontent/runtime/install-preserved-pdf-runtime.ps1 · line 10
$engineUrl = "https://github.com/PDFMathTranslate-next/PDFMathTranslate-next/releases/download/v2.9.0/pdf2zh-v2.9.0-BabelDOC-v0.6.4-with-assets-win64.zip"
nodejs.orgcontent/runtime/install-preserved-pdf-runtime.ps1 · line 12
$nodeUrl = "https://nodejs.org/dist/v24.19.0/win-x64/node.exe"

Forks and alternatives

1 other plugin uses the same ID as this one. Every Zotero plugin carries an ID, a name tag Zotero uses to tell plugins apart. These 2 plugins carry the same one, because people copied Codex Bilingual Reader to make their own versions and kept its ID.Show what this means
  • You can only have one. Zotero sees them as the same plugin.
  • Installing another replaces it. If you install one of the others, it takes this one's place.
  • Check what you install. Several share this plugin's name, so make sure the file comes from the one you meant.
Codex Bilingual Reader · this pluginMengqi97/codex-bilingual-reader-for-zoteroBUse with care62817 Aug 2026
See all 2 and how they differ →

1 listed fork.

Plugins for the same job
  • NoteroReading & PDFs · Files, sync & backupA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Bionic for ZoteroReading & PDFsA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • ZotLitReading & PDFs · Citing & writingA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Zotero Focused ModeReading & PDFsA+Recommended, tested in Zotero

The developer's response

The developer hasn't responded. Developers can reply here, and their reply sits next to our findings.I'm the developer
Install Codex Bilingual Reader
BUse with care
Before you install: It downloads a program checked against a fixed fingerprint, and runs it, and 1 more finding.Read the finding
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