Plugins / AI & summaries

SeekChatZot

by ILS-Research · github.com/ILS-Research/seekchat-zotero

Chat with a PDF, web page snapshot, EPUB or text file, with answers that cite pages and link to them.

SeekChatZot has Atlas grade A (recommended) because every code check came out low. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.1 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.
3
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
7
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
8
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
1
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 v1.0.0rc8, released 13 Oct 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
What we found in the codeSets the gradeThe worst finding in these three areas sets the grade.
Code transparencyReadable 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 ils-research/zotero-plugins on GitLabThe update address offers version 1.0.0rc1, which isn't newer than this one, so Zotero won't update it for now
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify6 addresses in 4 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Scholarly services (3)
arxiv.orgdoi.orgscholar.google.com
Apps you connect (1)
www.google.com
Zotero (1)
Zotero lookup services
On your computer (1)
127.0.0.1
Where we found it
arxiv.orgcontent/scripts/seekchat.js · line 8763
if (ids.arXiv) return { url: `https://arxiv.org/abs/${encodeURIComponent(ids.arXiv)}`, via: "arxiv" };
doi.orgcontent/scripts/seekchat.js · line 8762
if (ids.DOI) return { url: `https://doi.org/${encodeURI(ids.DOI)}`, via: "doi" };
scholar.google.comcontent/scripts/seekchat.js · line 8767
return { url: `https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=${encodeURIComponent(query)}`, via: "search" };
Powerful capabilitiesUses the clipboard, and 3 moreLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Low concern (4)
Uses the clipboardStores API keys or passwordsRuns code it assembles while runningWorks with files on your computer
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 7, 8, 9, 10 · not 11 betaUpdates automatically
Zotero 7 ✓ worksZotero 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 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 13 Oct 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface: German and English
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

Chat with a PDF, web page snapshot, EPUB or text file, with answers that cite pages and link to them. Uses a language model you run yourself, Ollama or an OpenAI-compatible server. Includes a chat that can act on your library.

Lets you question papers and books without sending them to a cloud service, unless you allow that server. Works with the ZotSeek and SeekBook indexes.

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. 6 addresses in 4 groups.

Scholarly services (3)
arxiv.orgdoi.orgscholar.google.com
Apps you connect (1)
www.google.com
Zotero (1)
Zotero lookup services
On your computer (1)
127.0.0.1
Evidence · file and line
arxiv.orgcontent/scripts/seekchat.js · line 8763
if (ids.arXiv) return { url: `https://arxiv.org/abs/${encodeURIComponent(ids.arXiv)}`, via: "arxiv" };
doi.orgcontent/scripts/seekchat.js · line 8762
if (ids.DOI) return { url: `https://doi.org/${encodeURI(ids.DOI)}`, via: "doi" };
scholar.google.comcontent/scripts/seekchat.js · line 8767
return { url: `https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=${encodeURIComponent(query)}`, via: "search" };

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
    ZoteroOllama

    Chats with the selected item's PDF using a local Ollama model.

    Matches “chat with pdf locally” · 315 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
    Can use a local model
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.

Write a review
Your rating of SeekChatZot v1.0.0rc8

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 SeekChatZot
ARecommended
  1. 1Download the plugin fileDownload v1.0.0rc8.xpi · 0.1 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