Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / AI & summaries

kern

by Jaaaahan · github.com/Jaaaahan/kernai

kern - Intelligent Research Assistant for Zotero

AI & summaries
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (1.8 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
0
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
0
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 a zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit), and 1 more finding
Applies to v1.5.5, released 26 Mar 2026Code checked · tested installed in Zotero 9.0.6 on 27 Sep 2026
Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)Works with Zotero 8, 9.
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 Jaaaahan account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.UnknownWe couldn't check this yet.
Updates
Updates come from dralkh/seerai, another listed projectThe update address doesn't list this add-on, so Zotero won't update it
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify26 addresses in 5 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (10)
api.anthropic.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.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.groq.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.mistral.aiapi.openai.comapi.together.xyznamed 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.x.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.generativelanguage.googleapis.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.www.datalab.tonamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.
Scholarly services (12)
api.semanticscholar.orgnamed 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.unpaywall.orgnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.arxiv.orgdoi.orgnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.europepmc.orgnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.www.biorxiv.orgwww.ebi.ac.ukwww.medrxiv.orgwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.govnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.
Apps you connect (2)
api.firecrawl.devapi.tavily.com
Zotero (1)
Zotero lookup services
On your computer (1)
localhost
Where we found it
api.mistral.aicontent/scripts/kern.js · line 2564
"https://api.mistral.ai/v1/files",
api.openai.comcontent/scripts/kern.js · line 47312
{ name: "OpenAI", apiURL: "https://api.openai.com/v1/", model: "gpt-5-mini", placeholder: "sk-..." },
arxiv.orgcontent/scripts/kern.js · line 24211
const pdfUrl = `https://arxiv.org/pdf/${normalizedId}.pdf`;
Powerful capabilitiesA zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you, and 5 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)mediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a prompt (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)mediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.Stores API keys or passwordslowLow concern.Works with files on your computerlowLow concern.Other programs on this computer can change your library through itlowLow concern.Lets programs on this computer connect through Zotero's built-in server
Where we found it
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/kern.js · line 42781

zotero://plugin

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://plugin"] = pluginBridgeExtension;
A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a promptcontent/scripts/kern.js · line 42737

zotero://ztoolkit-debug

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://ztoolkit-debug"] = debugBridgeExtension;
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 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 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.
MaintenanceSlowing down · last release 26 Mar 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface: 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, Anthropic, Google Gemini, DeepSeek and OpenRouter). What needs it: An AI model provider key (default is OpenAI with an empty key); the chat assistant does not work until one is supplied.
  • Or: a model on your own computerIt can use a local model such as Ollama
  • Zotero 8, 9Not working with Zotero 10

Where your data goes

We found: only contacts services we could identify. 26 addresses in 5 groups.

AI services (10)
api.anthropic.comnamed in its codeapi.deepseek.comnamed in its codeapi.groq.comnamed in its codeapi.mistral.aiapi.openai.comapi.together.xyznamed in its codeapi.x.ainamed in its codegenerativelanguage.googleapis.comnamed in its codeopenrouter.ainamed in its codewww.datalab.tonamed in its code
Scholarly services (12)
api.semanticscholar.orgnamed in its codeapi.unpaywall.orgnamed in its codearxiv.orgdoi.orgnamed in its codeeuropepmc.orgnamed in its codeeutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govnamed in its codepubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govnamed in its codewww.biorxiv.orgwww.ebi.ac.ukwww.medrxiv.orgwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.govnamed in its code
Apps you connect (2)
api.firecrawl.devapi.tavily.com
Zotero (1)
Zotero lookup services
On your computer (1)
localhost
Evidence · file and line
api.mistral.aicontent/scripts/kern.js · line 2564
"https://api.mistral.ai/v1/files",
api.openai.comcontent/scripts/kern.js · line 47312
{ name: "OpenAI", apiURL: "https://api.openai.com/v1/", model: "gpt-5-mini", placeholder: "sk-..." },
arxiv.orgcontent/scripts/kern.js · line 24211
const pdfUrl = `https://arxiv.org/pdf/${normalizedId}.pdf`;

Forks and alternatives

No forks listed.

Plugins for the same job
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  • MkteroReading & PDFs · Citing & writing · AI & summariesA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Zotero 阅读模式沉浸式双语Reading & PDFs · Translation · AI & summariesA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Zotero 标题翻译Reading & PDFs · Translation · Organising & tags · AI & summariesA+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 kern
BUse with care
Before you install: A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit), and 1 more finding.Read the finding
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