Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Translation

TeXlate

by WncFht · github.com/WncFht/texlate

Zotero companion for TeXlate, which translates arXiv papers into Chinese by translating LaTeX source paragraphs and recompiling a bilingual PDF.

TeXlate has Atlas grade C (not recommended) because it installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Translation
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.
160
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
167
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
3
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
11
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
2
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
NOASSERTION
C
Atlas gradeNot recommended
because it installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version
Applies to v0.1.1, released 4 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, 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 goesHands your documents to a program on this computer; we can't check where they go from there3 addresses in 3 groups.MediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Not identified (1)
a program on this computer
Code hosting (1)
github.com
On your computer (1)
127.0.0.1
Where we found it
github.comcontent/scripts/texlate.js · line 3430
var homepage = "https://github.com/WncFht/texlate";
Powerful capabilitiesInstalls and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version, and 6 moreHighHigh concern: a serious problem. One high finding makes the grade C.
High concern (1)
Installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version
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 (3)
Stores API keys or passwordsDownloads uv to start its translation server the first time you translate a paperWorks with files on your computer
Where we found it
Installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed versioncontent/scripts/texlate.js · line 3928

Installs packages without a fixed version

if (await IOUtils.exists(uv)) return { cmd: uv, args: ["tool", "run"] };
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/texlate.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/texlate.js · line 85

zotero://ztoolkit-debug

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://ztoolkit-debug"] = debugBridgeExtension;
Launches programs on your computercontent/scripts/texlate.js · line 3894

Programs it names include uv, uvx

"resource://gre/modules/Subprocess.sys.mjs"
Downloads uv to start its translation server the first time you tran…content/scripts/texlate.js · line 4016

It checks the download against a fingerprint written into the plugin, so only a new version of the plugin can change what runs. The download comes from Astral, who make uv. When you translate a paper and its local server isn't running, it downloads uv (about 20 MB) without asking, showing only a status line, and uses it to start the texlate server; installing that server is listed as its own finding. The project's README explains installing uv and texlate yourself, not that the plugin does it.

const xhr = await Zotero.HTTP.request("GET", url, {
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 4 Oct 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

Zotero companion for TeXlate, which translates arXiv papers into Chinese by translating LaTeX source paragraphs and recompiling a bilingual PDF. The plugin attaches the resulting PDF to your item; needs a TeXlate server and your own model key.

Chinese readers of arXiv papers get a translated PDF with the original layout, formulas and citations protected. This listing is the Zotero part of a larger tool, which is a Python server you run yourself.

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: hands your documents to a program on this computer; we can't check where they go from there. 3 addresses in 3 groups.

Not identified (1)
a program on this computer
Code hosting (1)
github.com
On your computer (1)
127.0.0.1
Evidence · file and line
github.comcontent/scripts/texlate.js · line 3430
var homepage = "https://github.com/WncFht/texlate";

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.

  • A+
    arxiv2zh

    Translates arXiv papers into Chinese through the hjfy.top service and saves the translated PDF to the item.

    Matches “arxiv 中文翻译” · 767 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
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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Install TeXlate
CNot recommended
We don't recommend itIt installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version.
Better-graded plugins for the same jobA+PDF TranslateA+Zotero 标题翻译A+Dual Title
Read what we found