Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Citing & writing

Metadata Search

by ajdavis · github.com/ajdavis/zotero-metadata-search-plugin

Update Zotero items with metadata from bibliographic databases like CrossRef.org and DBLP.org

Citing & writingImport & metadata
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.05 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
1
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
86
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 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 v0.0.5, released 9 Jul 2026Code checked · tested installed in Zotero 9.0.6 on 27 Sep 2026
Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)Works with Zotero 8, 9.
Another plugin uses the same IDOne other plugin shares this add-on ID. Zotero can only install one of them.
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 goesOnly contacts services we could identify5 addresses in 1 group.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Scholarly services (5)
api.crossref.orgapi.openalex.orgarxiv.orgdblp.orgexport.arxiv.org
Where we found it
api.crossref.orgcontent/scripts/metadatasearch.js · line 4102
const url = `https://api.crossref.org/works?query=${encodeURIComponent(query)}&rows=10`;
api.openalex.orgcontent/scripts/metadatasearch.js · line 4199
const url = `https://api.openalex.org/works?filter=title_and_abstract.search:${encodeURIComponent(title)}&per-page=10&sort=relevance_score:desc`;
arxiv.orgcontent/scripts/metadatasearch.js · line 4268
if (arxivId) fields.url = `https://arxiv.org/abs/${arxivId}`;
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.
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)mediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a prompt (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)mediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.
Where we found it
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/metadatasearch.js · line 143

zotero://plugin

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://plugin"] = pluginBridgeExtension;
A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a promptcontent/scripts/metadatasearch.js · line 89

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 · 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 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 10 ✗ doesn't workZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needZotero 8, 9Detected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 9 Jul 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface: English
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
  • Zotero 8, 9Not working with Zotero 10

Where your data goes

We found: only contacts services we could identify. 5 addresses in 1 group.

Scholarly services (5)
api.crossref.orgapi.openalex.orgarxiv.orgdblp.orgexport.arxiv.org
Evidence · file and line
api.crossref.orgcontent/scripts/metadatasearch.js · line 4102
const url = `https://api.crossref.org/works?query=${encodeURIComponent(query)}&rows=10`;
api.openalex.orgcontent/scripts/metadatasearch.js · line 4199
const url = `https://api.openalex.org/works?filter=title_and_abstract.search:${encodeURIComponent(title)}&per-page=10&sort=relevance_score:desc`;
arxiv.orgcontent/scripts/metadatasearch.js · line 4268
if (arxivId) fields.url = `https://arxiv.org/abs/${arxivId}`;

Forks and alternatives

1 other plugin uses the same ID as this one. Every Zotero plugin carries an ID, a name tag Zotero uses to tell plugins apart. These 2 plugins carry the same one, because people copied Metadata Search to make their own versions and kept its ID.Show what this means
  • You can only have one. Zotero sees them as the same plugin.
  • Installing another replaces it. If you install one of the others, it takes this one's place.
  • Check what you install. Several share this plugin's name, so make sure the file comes from the one you meant.
Metadata Search · this pluginajdavis/zotero-metadata-search-pluginBUse with care869 Jul 2026
See all 2 and how they differ →

No forks listed.

Plugins for the same job

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
Install Metadata Search
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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