Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Translation

Zotero PaperLens

by alanzeng423 · github.com/alanzeng423/zotero-paperlens

Reads a whole paper's text with an AI model first, then translates selected passages with an explanation grounded in the paper's methods and terminology.

Zotero PaperLens has Atlas grade A (recommended) because every code check came out low. It works with Zotero 9–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

TranslationAI & summaries
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.
76
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
77
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
2
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
A
Atlas gradeRecommended
because every code check came out low
Applies to v0.1.4, released 12 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 alanzeng423 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 identify4 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (3)
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.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.api.openai.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)
localhostnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.
Powerful capabilitiesNo powerful capabilities foundLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
No further detail for this area yet.
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 9, 10 · not 11 betaUpdates automatically
Zotero 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 12 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

Reads a whole paper's text with an AI model first, then translates selected passages with an explanation grounded in the paper's methods and terminology. It adds located key passages as Zotero highlights. Needs an OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek or compatible API key.

Translating a sentence alone loses its meaning in the paper. Full-paper reading sends the text to your provider and may incur charges. Works on text PDFs only.

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. 4 addresses in 2 groups.

AI services (3)
api.anthropic.comnamed in its codeapi.deepseek.comnamed in its codeapi.openai.comnamed in its code
On your computer (1)
localhostnamed in its code

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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Your rating of Zotero PaperLens v0.1.4

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 PaperLens
ARecommended
  1. 1Download the plugin fileDownload v0.1.4.xpi · 0.03 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