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Plugins / Import & metadata

Paper Metadata Search

by Archwindos · github.com/Archwindos/metadata-search-for-zotero

Finds where a paper was published from its title, then fills missing metadata from publisher pages, conference databases, Crossref and arXiv.

Paper Metadata Search has Atlas grade A (recommended) because every code check came out low. It works with Zotero 10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Import & metadata
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.03 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
In useAn estimate of how many copies of Zotero have it: Zotero downloads each new version once for every copy that has the plugin, so we count the downloads of its most-downloaded recent release. Rounded. Plugins that update from outside GitHub count low.
5
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
5
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
1
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
0
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
MIT
A
Atlas gradeRecommended
because every code check came out low
Applies to v0.4.0, released 21 Oct 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Documentation in Chinese onlyOur summary is in English, but the plugin's own docs and support are in Chinese.
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 Archwindos account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.UnknownWe couldn't check this yet.
Updates
Doesn't update automatically: the update address is a placeholder
Where your data goesIts code only names services we could identify5 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Translation (1)
www.bing.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.
Scholarly services (4)
api.crossref.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.doi.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.export.arxiv.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.openreview.netnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.
Powerful capabilitiesNo powerful capabilities foundLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
No further detail for this area yet.
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 10 · not 9, 11 betaManual updates only
Zotero 9 ✗ doesn't workZotero 10 ✓ worksZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needNothing extra detectedDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 21 Oct 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in Chinese onlyInterface language not declared
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

Written by AI from the README

Finds where a paper was published from its title, then fills missing metadata from publisher pages, conference databases, Crossref and arXiv. Can create parent items for loose PDFs, and flags conflicts for you to review.

PDFs and preprints often lack the published venue and DOI. This adds them without overwriting what is there. It queries web search and public sites, and some pages may not be readable. Targets Zotero 10.

What you'll need

Detected automatically

We haven't detected any setup requirements. That isn't the same as none: check the developer's README.

Where your data goes

We found: its code only names services we could identify. 5 addresses in 2 groups.

Translation (1)
www.bing.comnamed in its code
Scholarly services (4)
api.crossref.orgnamed in its codedoi.orgnamed in its codeexport.arxiv.orgnamed in its codeopenreview.netnamed in its code

Other plugins that do this

Matched on what they do

For the same job, work with Zotero 10 and graded A or better. Closest match first.

  • A
    Preprint Bridge

    Finds the published conference or journal version of an arXiv preprint and updates your existing item after you review the changes.

    Matches “find published version of arxiv paper” · 74 downloads · Active · Zotero 10
  • A
    Metadata Hunter

    Finds missing DOIs and abstracts using Crossref, DBLP, Semantic Scholar, arXiv, PubMed and OpenAlex.

    Matches “find missing doi” · 22,367 downloads · Active · Zotero 10
  • A
    arxiv-marker

    Finds the real publishing venue of arXiv preprints and writes it back to the item.

    Matches “find where arxiv paper was published” · 1,460 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10, 11 beta
Compare all 4 side by side
How we pick these

By how closely what they do matches this plugin, using descriptions and the phrases people search with. Copies and forks of this plugin are listed under Forks and copies instead. No plugin pays to appear here.

Forks and copies

No forks listed.

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

Ratings and reviews

What people who use it say. This is separate from the grade, which is what the code does, and never changes it.

No ratings yet.

Write a review
Your rating of Paper Metadata Search v0.4.0

Your review is public, under the name you give, and published with the directory's data under CC BY 4.0. Links are removed. We never store your IP address: a scrambled code made from it is kept for 30 days to catch fake reviews. Every review is checked before it's published; how fake ones are spotted isn't published, so it can't be gamed.

Install Paper Metadata Search
ARecommended
  1. 1Download the plugin fileDownload v0.4.0.xpi · 0.03 MB
  2. 2In Zotero, open Tools › Plugins
  3. 3Click the gear, choose Install Plugin From File… and pick the file
Step-by-step guide with pictures