Plugins / AI & summaries

Zotero AI Sidebar

by huangkiki · github.com/huangkiki/zotero-ai-sidebar

Zotero AI chat sidebar plugin

View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.7 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
30
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
273
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 a zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit), and 2 more findings
Applies to v0.3.4, released 18 Sep 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)Works with Zotero 7, 8, 9.
Fork of xuhan-rgb/zotero-ai-sidebarA copy of another listed plugin, changed by someone else.
Another plugin uses the same IDOne other plugin shares this add-on ID. Zotero can only install one of them.
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 xuhan-rgb/zotero-ai-sidebar, another listed project with the same add-on IDZotero will update it to version 0.8.13 from xuhan-rgb/zotero-ai-sidebar on GitHub (rated: Review the details)
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify8 addresses in 3 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (4)
Codex CLI (OpenAI)api.anthropic.comnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.api.openai.comnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.auth.openai.comnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.
Scholarly services (3)
ar5iv.labs.arxiv.orgarxiv.orgnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.export.arxiv.org
Apps you connect (1)
dav.jianguoyun.comnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.
Where we found it
ar5iv.labs.arxiv.orgcontent/scripts/zotero-ai-sidebar.js · line 12991
var AR5IV_HTML_BASE = "https://ar5iv.labs.arxiv.org/html";
export.arxiv.orgcontent/scripts/zotero-ai-sidebar.js · line 12990
var ARXIV_API_URL = "https://export.arxiv.org/api/query";
Powerful capabilitiesA zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you, and 3 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)mediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a prompt (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)mediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.Launches programs on your computermediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.Works with files on your computerlowLow concern.
Where we found it
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/zotero-ai-sidebar.js · line 129

zotero://plugin

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://plugin"] = pluginBridgeExtension;
A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a promptcontent/scripts/zotero-ai-sidebar.js · line 85

zotero://ztoolkit-debug

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://ztoolkit-debug"] = debugBridgeExtension;
Launches programs on your computercontent/scripts/zotero-ai-sidebar.js · line 12244

Programs it names include codex

"resource://gre/modules/Subprocess.sys.mjs"
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 7, 8, 9 · not 10, 11 betaDoesn't work with the current Zotero (10)MediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Zotero 7 ✓ worksZotero 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 10 ✗ doesn't workZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needZotero 7, 8, 9Detected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 18 Sep 20263 contributors
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in ChineseInterface: 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

Description coming soon. We haven't written a summary yet. The line above is the developer's own description; the developer's README is linked above.

What you'll need

Detected automatically
  • Zotero 7, 8, 9Not working with Zotero 10

Where your data goes

We found: only contacts services we could identify. 8 addresses in 3 groups.

AI services (4)
Codex CLI (OpenAI)api.anthropic.comnamed in its codeapi.openai.comnamed in its codeauth.openai.comnamed in its code
Scholarly services (3)
ar5iv.labs.arxiv.orgarxiv.orgnamed in its codeexport.arxiv.org
Apps you connect (1)
dav.jianguoyun.comnamed in its code
Evidence · file and line
ar5iv.labs.arxiv.orgcontent/scripts/zotero-ai-sidebar.js · line 12991
var AR5IV_HTML_BASE = "https://ar5iv.labs.arxiv.org/html";
export.arxiv.orgcontent/scripts/zotero-ai-sidebar.js · line 12990
var ARXIV_API_URL = "https://export.arxiv.org/api/query";

Forks and alternatives

Fork of xuhan-rgb/zotero-ai-sidebar.

1 other plugin uses the same ID as this one. Every Zotero plugin carries an ID, a name tag Zotero uses to tell plugins apart. These 2 plugins carry the same one, because people copied Zotero AI Sidebar to make their own versions and kept its ID.Show what this means
  • You can only have one. Zotero sees them as the same plugin.
  • Installing another replaces it. If you install one of the others, it takes this one's place.
  • Check what you install. Several share this plugin's name, so make sure the file comes from the one you meant.
Zotero AI Sidebar · this pluginhuangkiki/zotero-ai-sidebarBUse with care27318 Sep 2026
Zotero AI SidebarThe most used · xuhan-rgb/zotero-ai-sidebarBUse with care5,54520 Sep 2026
See all 2 and how they differ →

No forks listed.

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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
Install Zotero AI Sidebar
BUse with care
Before you install: A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit), and 2 more findings.Read the finding
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