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Plugins / Reading & PDFs

Zotero Desktop Annotation

by CommanderPho · github.com/CommanderPho/zotero-desktop-annotation

Desktop-first annotations interface refinements for Zotero PDF reader

Zotero Desktop Annotation has a Zotero Plugins grade of B (use 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 1 more finding. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 10 Nov 2026.

Reading & PDFsInterface & look
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.04 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.
18
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
18
Latest releaseDownloads of version 0.1.0, its latest release, since it came out on 7 Nov 2026. A new release starts from zero; Downloads counts every release.
18
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
1
AgeTime since its GitHub repository was created, on 6 Nov 2026. The plugin can be younger than its repository.
3 days
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
0
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to this plugin. Bots don't count, nor do the authors of a template or project it was copied from.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
B
Zotero Plugins 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 1 more finding
Applies to v0.1.0, released 7 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, 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 goesNo web requests foundLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
No further detail for this area yet.
Powerful capabilitiesA zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you, and 1 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (2)
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a prompt (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)
Where we found it
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/desktopannotation.js · line 129

zotero://plugin. zotero-plugin-toolkit removed this link in version 6.0.0; this plugin is built with an older version

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

zotero://ztoolkit-debug

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://ztoolkit-debug"] = debugBridgeExtension;
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 7, 8, 9, 10Updates automatically
Zotero 7 ✓ worksZotero 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 10 ✓ worksZotero 11 beta not tested yet: Zotero hasn't opened Zotero 11 testing
What you'll needNothing extra detectedDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 7 Nov 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface: 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

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: no web requests found.

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.

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Install Zotero Desktop Annotation
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 1 more finding.Read the finding
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