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Plugins / AI & summaries

Paper Chat

by nebula0 · github.com/nebula0/zotero-llm-wiki

Paper Chat adds an Ask Claude panel to the PDF reader: answers quote the paper, each quote is highlighted in the PDF, and page links jump there.

Paper Chat has Atlas grade B (use with care) because it launches programs on your computer. It works with Zotero 7–9, not the current Zotero 10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

AI & summariesReading & PDFs
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.
36
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
53
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.
1
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
MIT
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it launches programs on your computer
Applies to v0.1.2, released 1 Nov 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)Works with Zotero 7, 8, 9.
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 nebula0 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 goesOnly contacts services we could identify1 address in 1 group.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (1)
Claude Code (Anthropic)
Powerful capabilitiesLaunches programs on your computer, and 2 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (1)
Launches programs on your computer
Low concern (2)
Works with files on your computerUses Zotero's password manager
Where we found it
Launches programs on your computercontent/claude-code.js · line 48

Programs it names include claude

const { Subprocess } = ChromeUtils.importESModule('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 1 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

Written by AI from the README

Paper Chat adds an Ask Claude panel to the PDF reader: answers quote the paper, each quote is highlighted in the PDF, and page links jump there. The Q&A is saved as a note. Needs Claude Code or an Anthropic API key. The repo also has Claude Code skills and an Obsidian wiki.

Asking about a paper in a chat window loses the link to the exact passage. Here every quoted passage is highlighted in the PDF, so you can check it.

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. 1 address in 1 group.

AI services (1)
Claude Code (Anthropic)

Other plugins that do this

Matched on what they do

For the same job, work with Zotero 10 and graded B or better. Closest match first.

  • B
    Paper Buddy for Zotero

    Lets you ask an AI model about passages you highlight in the PDF reader, with answers in a sidebar thread and a Q&A child note on the item.

    Matches “ask claude about highlighted passage” · 54 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
    Works with Zotero 10
Compare all 2 side by side
How we pick these

By how closely what they do matches this plugin, using descriptions and the phrases people search with. Copies and forks of this plugin are listed under Forks and copies instead. No plugin pays to appear here.

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.

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Install Paper Chat
BUse with care
Before you install: It launches programs on your computer.Read the finding
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