Plugins / Import & metadata

Skill Fulltext Downloader

by douxy1994 · github.com/douxy1994/Zotero_paper_download

Adds a right-click action that downloads full text for items with a DOI and imports the PDF as an attachment.

Skill Fulltext Downloader 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.

View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.03 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.
10
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
44
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
11
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
3
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
None stated
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it launches programs on your computer
Applies to v0.8.5, released 7 Sep 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 douxy1994 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.www.sciencedirect.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.
Zotero (1)
Zotero lookup services
Powerful capabilitiesLaunches programs on your computer, and 1 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (1)
Launches programs on your computer
Low concern (1)
Works with files on your computer
Where we found it
Launches programs on your computerskill-fulltext-downloader.js · line 604

Programs it names include zsh

var process = Cc["@mozilla.org/process/util;1"].createInstance(Ci.nsIProcess);
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 7 Sep 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in Chinese and 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

Adds a right-click action that downloads full text for items with a DOI and imports the PDF as an attachment. It calls local tools, Paper-fetch first and then ScanSci, and checks the file matches the item. Needs those tools installed; tested on macOS only.

Find Full Text often fails behind paywalls. This chains several download routes, including an interactive publisher or institutional login, before falling back to Zotero's own open access lookup.

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 codewww.sciencedirect.comnamed in its code
Zotero (1)
Zotero lookup services

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
    scansci-pdf Zotero Helper

    Adds a right-click item that runs the external scansci-pdf command-line tool on an item's DOI and attaches the downloaded PDF.

    Matches “find full text pdf” · 55 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
  • B
    Sci-Hub Plugin for Zotero

    Downloads PDFs from Sci-Hub for items with a DOI, through a right-click menu entry or automatically when you add new papers.

    Matches “fetch pdf by doi” · 450,419 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
Compare all 3 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 Skill Fulltext Downloader
BUse with care
Before you install: It launches programs on your computer.Read the finding
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