Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Reading & PDFs

Parallel Reader 1.0

by hebruce1005 · github.com/hebruce1005/zotero-parallel-reader-plugin

Opens a PDF and a local HTML translation side by side in Zotero, with page-linked scrolling, a vocabulary list, HTML annotations and reading colour themes.

Parallel Reader 1.0 has Atlas grade B (use 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 2 more findings. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Reading & PDFsTranslation
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.06 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.
4
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
4
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
1
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.
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 2 more findings
Applies to v1.0.0, released 28 Oct 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Documentation in Chinese onlyOur summary is in English, but the plugin's own docs and support are in Chinese.
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 hebruce1005 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 is broken (nothing is there), so Zotero can't update it
Where your data goesNo web requests foundLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
No further detail for this area yet.
Powerful capabilitiesA zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you, and 3 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (3)
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a prompt (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)Watches Zotero's network traffic
Low concern (1)
Works with files on your computer
Where we found it
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/parallelreader.js · line 129

zotero://plugin. zotero-plugin-toolkit removed this link in version 6.0.0; this plugin is built with an older version

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://plugin"] = pluginBridgeExtension;
A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a promptcontent/scripts/parallelreader.js · line 85

zotero://ztoolkit-debug

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://ztoolkit-debug"] = debugBridgeExtension;
Watches Zotero's network trafficcontent/scripts/parallelreader.js · line 3789
Services.obs.addObserver(this.observer, "http-on-modify-request");
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 7, 8, 9, 10 · not 11 betaManual updates only
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 28 Oct 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in Chinese onlyInterface: 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

Opens a PDF and a local HTML translation side by side in Zotero, with page-linked scrolling, a vocabulary list, HTML annotations and reading colour themes.

Reading an English paper next to its Chinese translation otherwise means juggling two windows. The HTML runs in an isolated sandbox and annotations stay on your machine.

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: no web requests found.

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
    BiRead — Bilingual PDF Reader for Zotero

    Adds bilingual reading to the PDF reader.

    Matches “side by side pdf translation” · 407 downloads · Active · Zotero 8–10
  • B
    Zotero Bilingual Reader

    A side-by-side English and Chinese reading view for papers, with each English paragraph followed by its translation.

    Matches “双语对照” · 498 downloads · Active · Zotero 8–10
  • B
    TwinText for Zotero

    Shows the original text and a translation side by side in Zotero's PDF reader.

    Matches “side by side translation” · 323 downloads · Active · Zotero 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 Parallel Reader 1.0
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 2 more findings.Read the finding
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