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PaperFlow Connector for Zotero

by GW19ddd · github.com/GW19ddd/pdf2zh-desktop

Right-click a PDF in Zotero to translate it with the PaperFlow desktop app and attach the translated PDF back to the item.

PaperFlow Connector for Zotero has Atlas grade B (use 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 2 more findings. It works with Zotero 7–9, not the current Zotero 10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

TranslationFiles, sync & backup
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.05 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.
2
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
0
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
4
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
None stated
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 2 more findings
Applies to v1.0.0, released 28 Aug 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)Works with Zotero 7, 8, 9.
Fork of AaronGIG/pdf2zh-desktopA copy of another listed plugin, changed by someone else.
Another plugin uses the same IDOne other plugin shares this add-on ID. Zotero can only install one of them.
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 GW19ddd 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 version 1.0.0, which isn't newer than this one, so Zotero won't update it for now
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify1 address in 1 group.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Translation (1)
pdf2zh (Google Translate, or the translator it's set up with)
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.
Medium concern (3)
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a prompt (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)Launches programs on your computer
Low concern (2)
Works with files on your computerOther programs on this computer can change your library through it
Not a concern (1)
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/pdf2zhconnector.js · line 129

zotero://plugin. zotero-plugin-toolkit removed this link in version 6.0.0; this plugin is built with an older version

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://plugin"] = pluginBridgeExtension;
A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a promptcontent/scripts/pdf2zhconnector.js · line 85

zotero://ztoolkit-debug

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://ztoolkit-debug"] = debugBridgeExtension;
Launches programs on your computercontent/scripts/pdf2zhconnector.js · line 4045

Programs it names include open, pdf2zh

return ChromeUtils.importESModule("resource://gre/modules/Subprocess.sys.mjs").Subprocess;
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 needZotero 7, 8, 9Detected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 28 Aug 20264 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

Right-click a PDF in Zotero to translate it with the PaperFlow desktop app and attach the translated PDF back to the item. The desktop app, based on PDFMathTranslate, keeps formulas and layout and works with many AI engines.

Translating a whole paper otherwise means setting up Python and command-line tools, then re-attaching the result by hand. A fork of AaronGIG/pdf2zh-desktop; the app handles setup and sends the translation back to Zotero.

What you'll need

Detected automatically
  • Zotero 7, 8, 9Not working with Zotero 10

Where your data goes

We found: only contacts services we could identify. 1 address in 1 group.

Translation (1)
pdf2zh (Google Translate, or the translator it's set up with)

Forks and copies

Fork of AaronGIG/pdf2zh-desktop.

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 PaperFlow Connector for Zotero 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.
PaperFlow Connector for Zotero · this pluginGW19ddd/pdf2zh-desktopBUse with care528 Aug 2026
PaperFlow Connector for ZoteroThe most used · GW19ddd/PaperFlowBUse with care726 Sep 2026
See all 2 and how they differ →

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.

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Install PaperFlow Connector for Zotero
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 2 more findings.Read the finding
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