Plugins / Import & metadata

Journal Crawler

by ilDon · github.com/ilDon/zotero-crawler

Downloads every article, with PDF and metadata, from a list of journals you follow into a Zotero collection, and on later runs fetches only new ones.

Journal Crawler has Atlas grade A (recommended) because every code check came out low. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.1 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.
76
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
81
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
6
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
A
Atlas gradeRecommended
because every code check came out low
Applies to v0.1.5, released 29 Sep 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, 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 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)
api.crossref.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.doi.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.
Powerful capabilitiesWorks with files on your computer, and 1 moreLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Low concern (2)
Works with files on your computerKeeps its own database file
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 29 Sep 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface: English and Italian
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

Downloads every article, with PDF and metadata, from a list of journals you follow into a Zotero collection, and on later runs fetches only new ones. It handles platforms such as Open Journal Systems, Digital Commons, WordPress, MDPI and OAI-PMH sites.

Many open access journals have no feed or Zotero translator covering their archive, so keeping up means saving each article by hand. The interface is partly in Italian.

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)
api.crossref.orgnamed in its codedoi.orgnamed 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 Journal Crawler v0.1.5

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 Journal Crawler
ARecommended
  1. 1Download the plugin fileDownload v0.1.5.xpi · 0.1 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