Plugins / Import & metadata

Zotero Open Citations

by zuphilip · github.com/zuphilip/zotero-open-citations

Looks up selected items by DOI in the OpenCitations COCI service and adds the result as a note.

Zotero Open Citations has Atlas grade A (recommended) because every code check came out low. It's a Zotero 6 plugin, so Zotero 7 and later can't load it. What to use instead. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.08 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.
690
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
773
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
5
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
38
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
A
Atlas gradeRecommended
because every code check came out low
Applies to v0.3.0, released 1 Oct 2018Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Legacy plugin for Zotero 6 onlyUses the old plugin format. Zotero 7 and later can't load it.
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 zuphilip 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 identify3 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Scholarly services (2)
doi.orgnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.opencitations.net
Zotero (1)
Zotero lookup services
Where we found it
opencitations.netchrome/content/zoteroopencitations.js · line 39
let url = 'http://opencitations.net/index/coci/api/v1/citations/' + doi;
Powerful capabilitiesSends lookups unencrypted (http://) to opencitations.netLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Low concern (1)
Sends lookups unencrypted (http://) to opencitations.net
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 6 only (legacy plugin)Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)MediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Zotero 9 ✗ doesn't workZotero 10 ✗ doesn't workZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needNothing extra detectedDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceArchived · last release 1 Oct 20181 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

Written by AI from the README

Looks up selected items by DOI in the OpenCitations COCI service and adds the result as a note. The latest references are saved in a special collection in Zotero.

Adds open citation data to items in your library. Its developer marks it as early, with more functions still to do.

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: only contacts services we could identify. 3 addresses in 2 groups.

Scholarly services (2)
doi.orgnamed in its codeopencitations.net
Zotero (1)
Zotero lookup services
Evidence · file and line
opencitations.netchrome/content/zoteroopencitations.js · line 39
let url = 'http://opencitations.net/index/coci/api/v1/citations/' + doi;

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 Open Citations v0.3.0

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 Open Citations
ARecommended
  1. 1Download the plugin fileDownload v0.3.0.xpi · 0.08 MB
  2. 2In Zotero, open Tools › Plugins
  3. 3Click the gear, choose Install Plugin From File… and pick the file
Step-by-step guide with pictures