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Plugins / Reading & PDFs

Scholar Sketch — Markdown & Whiteboard

by l0o0 · github.com/l0o0/scholar-sketch

Adds Markdown notes and visual whiteboards to Zotero.

Scholar Sketch — Markdown & Whiteboard has Atlas grade B (use with care) because it uses the network; we couldn't tell where, and 4 more findings. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Reading & PDFsCiting & writing
View source
There's no release file current Zotero can install. The source stays linked for reference.
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.
560
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
3,517
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
37
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
42
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
3
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it uses the network; we couldn't tell where, and 4 more findings
Applies to v0.2.25, released 3 Nov 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Zotero won't install this fileZotero won't install this file: its add-on ID isn't in a form Zotero accepts
What we found in the codeSets the gradeThe worst finding in these three areas sets the grade.
Code transparencyMinified (compressed) code, uploaded by the project's automated GitHub buildThe release file was uploaded by the project's automated GitHub build. We haven't yet rebuilt it from the source to compare.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Updates
Updates come from this project's GitHub repositoryThe update address offers this version
Where your data goesUses the network; we couldn't tell whereMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
No further detail for this area yet.
Powerful capabilitiesKeeps its own tables in Zotero's database, and 4 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (4)
Keeps its own tables in Zotero's databaseA 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 (1)
Works with files on your computer
Where we found it
Keeps its own tables in Zotero's databasecontent/scripts/bamboo.js · line 13770

Tables: links, notes, notes_search, notes_search_state

await db.queryAsync(`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS notes (
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/bamboo.js · line 538

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/bamboo.js · line 494

zotero://ztoolkit-debug

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://ztoolkit-debug"] = debugBridgeExtension;
Launches programs on your computercontent/scripts/bamboo.js · line 42339
"resource://gre/modules/Subprocess.sys.mjs"
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero won't install this fileDoesn't work with the current Zotero (10)MediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Zotero 9 ✗ doesn't workZotero 10 ✗ doesn't workZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needAn older ZoteroDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 3 Nov 20263 contributors
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

Written by AI from the README

Adds Markdown notes and visual whiteboards to Zotero. Notes have live preview, [[wiki-style]] links, backlinks, Mermaid diagrams and math, and whiteboards connect papers, annotations and notes. Uses plain .md and JSON Canvas .canvas files, with export for Obsidian. Needs Zotero 9, 10 or 11.

Zotero's built-in notes are basic and unlinked. This gives an Obsidian-like note and canvas workspace tied to your papers and annotations.

What you'll need

Detected automatically
  • An older ZoteroNot working with Zotero 10

Where your data goes

We found: uses the network; we couldn't tell where.

Other plugins that do this

Matched on what they do

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

  • B
    Better Notes for Zotero

    Turns Zotero's note editor into a knowledge workspace: linked notes with backlinks and outlines, templates that build notes from metadata and annotations, two-way Markdown sync, and export to Word, PDF or mind maps.

    Matches “笔记 双向链接” · 12M downloads · Active · Zotero 8–10
    Works with Zotero 10
Compare all 2 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.

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