Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Import & metadata

The Literature

by theliterature · github.com/theliterature/theliterature-zotero

Adds a context-menu entry that fetches a PDF from Sci-Hub.

The Literature has Atlas grade A (recommended) because every code check came out low. It's a Zotero 6 plugin, so Zotero 7 and later can't load it. What to use instead. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Import & metadataFiles, 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.
6.4k
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
6,413
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
1
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
13
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
CC0-1.0
A
Atlas gradeRecommended
because every code check came out low
Applies to v0.0.1, released 8 Nov 2018Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Legacy plugin for Zotero 6 onlyUses the old plugin format. Zotero 7 and later can't load it.
Contacts a shadow libraryUsing a site such as Sci-Hub carries legal risk in some countries.
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 theliterature account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.UnknownWe couldn't check this yet.
Updates
Doesn't update automatically
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify5 addresses in 1 group.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Scholarly services (5)
api.crossref.orgsci-hub.isnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.sci-hub.sesci-hub.twnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Where we found it
api.crossref.orgchrome/content/scripts/findDOI.js · line 69
var base_URL = "https://api.crossref.org/";
sci-hub.sechrome/content/scripts/theliterature.js · line 60
this.sci_hub_mirrors = ["http://sci-hub.is", "http://sci-hub.se",
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.govchrome/content/scripts/findDOI.js · line 15
var baseUrl = "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/utils/idconv/v1.0/";
Powerful capabilitiesNo powerful capabilities foundLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
No further detail for this area yet.
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 6 only (legacy plugin)Doesn'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 needNothing extra detectedDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceDormant · last release 8 Nov 20181 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface: 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

Adds a context-menu entry that fetches a PDF from Sci-Hub. It tests mirrors for one that responds, finds missing DOIs through Crossref, handles captcha challenges and imports the PDF. Zotero 6 only.

Saves hunting for paywalled papers by hand. Note that Sci-Hub distributes copyrighted papers without permission, and using it is illegal in many jurisdictions.

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 1 group.

Scholarly services (5)
api.crossref.orgsci-hub.isnamed in its codesci-hub.sesci-hub.twnamed in its codewww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Evidence · file and line
api.crossref.orgchrome/content/scripts/findDOI.js · line 69
var base_URL = "https://api.crossref.org/";
sci-hub.sechrome/content/scripts/theliterature.js · line 60
this.sci_hub_mirrors = ["http://sci-hub.is", "http://sci-hub.se",
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.govchrome/content/scripts/findDOI.js · line 15
var baseUrl = "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/utils/idconv/v1.0/";

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 The Literature v0.0.1

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 The Literature
ARecommended
  1. 1Download the plugin fileDownload v0.0.1.xpi · 0.05 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