Plugins / Import & metadata

Zotero Language Categorizer

by cboulanger · github.com/cboulanger/zotero-language-categorizer

Detects the language of item titles and abstracts and fills the Language field with ISO 639-1 codes.

Zotero Language Categorizer has Atlas grade 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 8–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.3 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.
110
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
112
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
3
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
0
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 1 more finding
Applies to v1.2.0, released 3 Oct 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 cboulanger account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.UnknownWe couldn't check this yet.
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/zotero-lang-cat.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/zotero-lang-cat.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 8, 9, 10 · not 11 betaUpdates automatically
Zotero 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 3 Oct 20263 contributors
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface: German, English, Spanish and French
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

Detects the language of item titles and abstracts and fills the Language field with ISO 639-1 codes. It can also convert spelled-out names and three-letter codes. You review every change and press Apply.

Empty or inconsistent Language fields break citation styles that expect codes like de. This fixes a whole collection or library in one batch.

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.

Write a review
Your rating of Zotero Language Categorizer v1.2.0

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 Language Categorizer
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
Compare with similar plugins