A chat assistant for your local library: find papers from vague descriptions, ask questions with cited passages and compare abstracts.
ZaiChat has Atlas grade B (use with care) because it launches programs on your computer, and 1 more finding. It works with Zotero 9–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.
Downloads a .xpi file (45 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.
9
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.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
MIT
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
A+ABBC
because it launches programs on your computer, and 1 more finding
Next rung: A, once every finding in the code comes out low.
Applies to v0.8.0-beta.51, released 5 Nov 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; not yet checked against the published sourceThe developer uploaded the release file from the booknary 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: the update address is a placeholder
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify6 addresses in 3 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Powerful capabilitiesLaunches programs on your computer, and 2 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (2)
Launches programs on your computerRuns a compiled program it ships, which we can't read
Low concern (1)
Works with files on your computer
Where we found it
Launches programs on your computercontent/scripts/zaichat.js · line 43469
"resource://gre/modules/Subprocess.sys.mjs"
Runs a compiled program it ships, which we can't readcontent/scripts/zaichat.js · line 35854
zaichat-embedding-worker.exe
relativePath: "zaichat-embedding-worker.exe",
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 9, 10 · not 11 betaManual updates only
A chat assistant for your local library: find papers from vague descriptions, ask questions with cited passages and compare abstracts. It can add notes, tags and relations after you approve. Needs an OpenAI-compatible API key.
Finding a half-remembered paper or checking it against a question is slow in a big library. It reads only selected passages, not the whole library. Its optional local semantic search is built for Windows x64.
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 3 groups.
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
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