Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / AI & summaries

Paper Buddy for Zotero

by GronuJ · github.com/GronuJ/zotero-paper-buddy

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.

Paper Buddy for Zotero has Atlas grade B (use with care) because it contacts a server we couldn't identify: chat-ai.academiccloud.de. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

AI & summariesReading & PDFs
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.02 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.
49
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
54
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.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
MIT
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it contacts a server we couldn't identify: chat-ai.academiccloud.de
Applies to v0.6.2, released 29 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, 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 goesContacts a server we couldn't identify: chat-ai.academiccloud.de2 addresses in 2 groups.MediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Not identified (1)
chat-ai.academiccloud.de
AI services (1)
api.anthropic.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.
Where we found it
chat-ai.academiccloud.deprefs.js · line 4
pref("extensions.claudepaperbuddy.openaiBaseURL", "https://chat-ai.academiccloud.de/v1");
Powerful capabilitiesUses the clipboard, and 2 moreLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Low concern (3)
Uses the clipboardWorks with files on your computerUses Zotero's password manager
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 29 Oct 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

Written by AI from the README

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. Works with Claude through the Anthropic API or any OpenAI-compatible API such as Ollama. Needs your own API key.

Asking an AI about a paper usually means copying text into a separate chat. Here you ask where you read, can include figures or the whole paper as context, and the Q&A is saved with the item.

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: contacts a server we couldn't identify: chat-ai.academiccloud.de. 2 addresses in 2 groups.

Not identified (1)
chat-ai.academiccloud.de
AI services (1)
api.anthropic.comnamed in its code
Evidence · file and line
chat-ai.academiccloud.deprefs.js · line 4
pref("extensions.claudepaperbuddy.openaiBaseURL", "https://chat-ai.academiccloud.de/v1");

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.

  • A+
    ZotChat

    An AI chat panel in the reader's right-hand sidebar: select a passage, press Explain or Ask, and follow-ups continue in the same thread.

    Matches “chat about highlighted text” · 73 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10, 11 beta
  • B
    AI Assistant

    A chat panel in the item pane that uses the item's title and abstract, or optionally the PDF full text, as context.

    Matches “ask ai about references” · 4,309 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
    Can use a local model
  • B
    AlphainZ

    A research assistant that chats with your library using your own models and API keys.

    Matches “ask about passage” · 109 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.

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Install Paper Buddy for Zotero
BUse with care
Before you install: It contacts a server we couldn't identify: chat-ai.academiccloud.de.Read the finding
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