Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Translation

Local Bilingual PDF

by Makashibata02 · github.com/Makashibata02/zotero-local-bilingual

Translates PDFs into side-by-side bilingual or translation-only PDFs, keeping layout, images and formulas.

Local Bilingual PDF has Atlas grade B (use with care) because it launches programs on your computer. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Translation
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.
19
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
35
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
4
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
4
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it launches programs on your computer
Applies to v1.1.2, released 24 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 Makashibata02 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 goesIts code only names services we could identify2 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (1)
api.deepseek.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.
On your computer (1)
127.0.0.1
Powerful capabilitiesLaunches programs on your computer, and 3 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (1)
Launches programs on your computer
Low concern (3)
Uses the clipboardStores API keys or passwordsWorks with files on your computer
Where we found it
Launches programs on your computerruntime-native.js · line 4

Programs it names include python, python3.12

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, 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 24 Oct 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in ChineseInterface language not declared
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

Translates PDFs into side-by-side bilingual or translation-only PDFs, keeping layout, images and formulas. Uses a local engine with free Bing or Tencent translation, or your own DeepSeek or OpenAI-compatible API.

Reading English papers and lecture notes often loses the layout when translated. Windows and Apple Silicon Mac are verified, and text goes to the chosen translation service.

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 2 groups.

AI services (1)
api.deepseek.comnamed in its code
On your computer (1)
127.0.0.1

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
    BiRead — Bilingual PDF Reader for Zotero

    Adds bilingual reading to the PDF reader.

    Matches “side by side pdf translation” · 407 downloads · Active · Zotero 8–10
  • B
    Zotero PDF2zh

    Translates entire PDFs with PDFMathTranslate, keeping equations and layout intact, and attaches bilingual side-by-side or translated-only copies to the item.

    Matches “translate pdf keep layout” · 805,694 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10, 11 beta
    Can use a local model
  • B
    Full PDF Translate

    Translates whole PDFs into bilingual PDFs that keep layout, formulas and tables, from the right-click menu, using your own LLM API key.

    Matches “translate pdf with own api key” · 70 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
Compare all 4 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.

No ratings yet.

Write a review
Your rating of Local Bilingual PDF v1.1.2

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 Local Bilingual PDF
BUse with care
Before you install: It launches programs on your computer.Read the finding
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