Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Translation

Kinbo

by ZhangLinqi-07 · github.com/ZhangLinqi-07/zotero-pdf2zh-body-only

Translates PDFs into Chinese bilingual versions, optionally skipping references and appendices.

Kinbo has Atlas grade B (use with care) because it changes settings in other programs or on your computer, and 3 more findings. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

TranslationAI & summaries
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (1.1 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.
9
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
47
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
16
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
2
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
2
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it changes settings in other programs or on your computer, and 3 more findings
Applies to v4.1.7.18, released 3 Nov 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Another plugin uses the same ID7 other plugins share this add-on ID. Zotero can only install one of them.
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 transparencyMinified (compressed) 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 goesOnly contacts services we could identify13 addresses in 3 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (8)
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.api.siliconflow.cnnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.ark.cn-beijing.volces.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.cloud.siliconflow.cnnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.dashscope.aliyuncs.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.generativelanguage.googleapis.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.platform.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.
Translation (3)
BabelDOC (the AI provider it's set up with)pdf2zh server (the translation service it's set up with)pdf2zh-next (SiliconFlow, or the engine it's set up with)
On your computer (2)
127.0.0.1named in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.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 capabilitiesChanges settings in other programs or on your computer, and 4 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (4)
Changes settings in other programs or on your computerA 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)Launches programs on your computer
Low concern (1)
Works with files on your computer
Where we found it
Changes settings in other programs or on your computercontent/scripts/kinbo-connection.js · line 35

Sets a program to start by itself (a macOS LaunchAgent)

const plist = child(directory('Home'), 'Library', 'LaunchAgents', 'org.kinbo.backend.' + port + '.plist');
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/pdf2zh.js · line 135

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/pdf2zh.js · line 91

zotero://ztoolkit-debug

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://ztoolkit-debug"] = debugBridgeExtension;
Launches programs on your computercontent/scripts/kinbo-connection.js · line 28
const process = Components.classes['@mozilla.org/process/util;1'].createInstance(Components.interfaces.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 3 Nov 20262 contributors
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

Translates PDFs into Chinese bilingual versions, optionally skipping references and appendices. Adds a reader chat sidebar and deep-reading notes saved as child notes. Needs a local backend from the release package, plus a model API or free service.

Reading papers in a second language is slow. It builds on the PDF2zh translator and adds checks for untranslated text; the interface is Chinese-language.

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. 13 addresses in 3 groups.

AI services (8)
api.deepseek.comnamed in its codeapi.openai.comnamed in its codeapi.siliconflow.cnnamed in its codeark.cn-beijing.volces.comnamed in its codecloud.siliconflow.cnnamed in its codedashscope.aliyuncs.comnamed in its codegenerativelanguage.googleapis.comnamed in its codeplatform.deepseek.comnamed in its code
Translation (3)
BabelDOC (the AI provider it's set up with)pdf2zh server (the translation service it's set up with)pdf2zh-next (SiliconFlow, or the engine it's set up with)
On your computer (2)
127.0.0.1named in its codelocalhostnamed in its code

Forks and copies

7 other plugins use the same ID as this one. Every Zotero plugin carries an ID, a name tag Zotero uses to tell plugins apart. These 8 plugins carry the same one, because people copied Zotero PDF2zh to make their own versions and kept its ID.Show what this means
  • You can only have one. Zotero sees them as the same plugin.
  • Installing another replaces it. If you install one of the others, it takes this one's place.
  • Check what you install. Several share this plugin's name, so make sure the file comes from the one you meant.
Kinbo · this pluginZhangLinqi-07/zotero-pdf2zh-body-onlyBUse with care473 Nov 2026
Zotero PDF2zhThe most used · guaguastandup/zotero-pdf2zhBUse with care805,69430 Oct 2026
Zotero PDF2zhCopy · BluesilveEmperor/PDFTranslate-ZoteroBUse with care7028 Oct 2026
See all 8 and how they differ →

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 Kinbo
BUse with care
Before you install: It changes settings in other programs or on your computer, and 3 more findings.Read the finding
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