Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Import & metadata

Zotero Auto Fetch

by zhang-hz · github.com/zhang-hz/zotero-autofetch

Automatically downloads PDFs for new items from Sci-Hub and Google Scholar.

Zotero Auto Fetch 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 (0.02 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.
1.3k
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
1,385
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.
19
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 v0.0.3, released 21 Apr 2019Code 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 zhang-hz 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 goesIts code only names services we could identify2 addresses in 1 group.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Scholarly services (2)
scholar.google.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.sci-hub.senamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.
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 21 Apr 20191 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation language not detectedInterface: 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

Automatically downloads PDFs for new items from Sci-Hub and Google Scholar. It is a Zotero 6 era plugin with no further documentation.

Saves hunting for papers behind paywalls. 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: its code only names services we could identify. 2 addresses in 1 group.

Scholarly services (2)
scholar.google.comnamed in its codesci-hub.senamed in its code

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 Zotero Auto Fetch v0.0.3

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 Zotero Auto Fetch
ARecommended
  1. 1Download the plugin fileDownload v0.0.3.xpi · 0.02 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