Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / AI & summaries

PaperLens

by DreamPerday · github.com/DreamPerday/PaperLens-Zotero

An AI sidebar in the PDF reader for asking about selected text or boxed figures.

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

AI & summariesReading & PDFs
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (2.6 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.
11
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
46
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
9
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
3
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
2
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
MIT
A
Atlas gradeRecommended
because every code check came out low
Applies to v0.3.14, released 3 Nov 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 transparencyMinified (compressed) code; not yet checked against the published sourceThe developer uploaded the release file from the DreamPerday 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 identify5 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (1)
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.
Scholarly services (4)
api.crossref.orgapi.openalex.orgeasyscholar.ccexport.arxiv.org
Where we found it
api.crossref.orgcontent/host.js · line 1865
const data = await json(fetcher, `https://api.crossref.org/works/${encodeURIComponent(doi)}`);
api.openalex.orgcontent/host.js · line 1919
const url = `https://api.openalex.org/works?search=${encodeURIComponent(title)}&per-page=8&select=doi,title,publication_year,type,primary_location`;
easyscholar.cccontent/host.js · line 1973
const url = `https://easyscholar.cc/open/getPublicationRank?secretKey=${encodeURIComponent(apiKey)}&publicationName=${encodeURIComponent(publicationName)}`;
Powerful capabilitiesUses the clipboard, and 2 moreLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Low concern (3)
Uses the clipboardWorks with files on your computerUses Zotero's password manager
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 10 · not 9, 11 betaUpdates automatically
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 3 Nov 20262 contributors
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in Chinese onlyInterface: 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

Written by AI from the README

An AI sidebar in the PDF reader for asking about selected text or boxed figures. Also gives paragraph annotations, overviews and claim checking. Needs your own OpenAI-compatible provider and key, or a local model; Chinese interface.

Keeps AI reading help beside the PDF, with evidence checking to see whether the paper supports a claim.

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: only contacts services we could identify. 5 addresses in 2 groups.

AI services (1)
api.openai.comnamed in its code
Scholarly services (4)
api.crossref.orgapi.openalex.orgeasyscholar.ccexport.arxiv.org
Evidence · file and line
api.crossref.orgcontent/host.js · line 1865
const data = await json(fetcher, `https://api.crossref.org/works/${encodeURIComponent(doi)}`);
api.openalex.orgcontent/host.js · line 1919
const url = `https://api.openalex.org/works?search=${encodeURIComponent(title)}&per-page=8&select=doi,title,publication_year,type,primary_location`;
easyscholar.cccontent/host.js · line 1973
const url = `https://easyscholar.cc/open/getPublicationRank?secretKey=${encodeURIComponent(apiKey)}&publicationName=${encodeURIComponent(publicationName)}`;

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 PaperLens v0.3.14

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Install PaperLens
ARecommended
  1. 1Download the plugin fileDownload v0.3.14.xpi · 2.6 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