Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Reading & PDFs

Zotero PDF Preview

by windingwind · github.com/windingwind/zotero-pdf-preview

Shows a preview of an item's PDF pages in the right-hand item pane, either under the info tab or in its own Preview tab.

Zotero PDF Preview 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.

Reading & PDFsInterface & look
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.01 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.
160k
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
280,016
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
32
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
1,249
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
5
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
GPL-3.0
A
Atlas gradeRecommended
because every code check came out low
Applies to v0.3.7, released 18 Oct 2022Code 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 windingwind 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 doesn't list this add-on, so Zotero won'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 capabilitiesWorks with files on your computerLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Low concern (1)
Works with files on your computer
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 6 ✓ worksZotero 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 18 Oct 20225 contributors
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in 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

Shows a preview of an item's PDF pages in the right-hand item pane, either under the info tab or in its own Preview tab. You choose which pages to preview, and can zoom, show annotations and use a dark mode.

Checking an attachment meant opening it. Zotero 7 now has native attachment preview, and this plugin is archived.

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 A or better. Closest match first.

  • A
    ZoteroPreview

    Adds a Preview tab that shows a citation preview for the selected item in a bibliographic style you choose.

    Matches “preview pane for citations” · 68 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
    Works with Zotero 10Actively maintained
Compare all 2 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

1 listed fork.

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 PDF Preview v0.3.7

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 PDF Preview
ARecommended
  1. 1Download the plugin fileDownload v0.3.7.xpi · 0.01 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