Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Reading & PDFs

Reference Checker

by najibprog · github.com/najibprog/zotero-reference-checker

Lists the references of the article open in the PDF reader and shows which are already in your library, with a green, orange or other status.

Reference Checker has Atlas grade A (recommended) because every code check came out low. It works with Zotero 7–10, 11 beta. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Reading & PDFsOrganising & tags
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.04 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.
140
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
204
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
5
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
0
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
2
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
MIT
A
Atlas gradeRecommended
because every code check came out low
Applies to v1.3.3, released 23 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, 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 identify8 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Scholarly services (7)
api.crossref.orgapi.elsevier.comapi.openalex.orgdev.elsevier.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.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.openalex.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.scholar.google.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
Where we found it
api.crossref.orgcontent/refcheck.js · line 1222
let url = "https://api.crossref.org/works/" + encodeURIComponent(doi)
api.elsevier.comcontent/refcheck.js · line 2279
found = { url: "https://api.elsevier.com", mimeType: "application/pdf" };
api.openalex.orgcontent/refcheck.js · line 1800
let xhr = await Zotero.HTTP.request("GET", `https://api.openalex.org/${path}?${query}`, {
Powerful capabilitiesStores API keys or passwords, and 1 moreLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Low concern (2)
Stores API keys or passwordsWorks with files on your computer
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 betaUpdates automatically
Zotero 7 ✓ worksZotero 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 10 ✓ worksZotero 11 beta ✓ works
What you'll needNothing extra detectedDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 23 Oct 20262 contributors
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

Lists the references of the article open in the PDF reader and shows which are already in your library, with a green, orange or other status. Opens their PDFs in one click, jumps to where they are cited, and adds missing ones to a collection.

While reading a paper, finding out which of its sources you already hold, and fetching the rest, normally means searching your library reference by reference.

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. 8 addresses in 2 groups.

Scholarly services (7)
api.crossref.orgapi.elsevier.comapi.openalex.orgdev.elsevier.comnamed in its codedoi.orgnamed in its codeopenalex.orgnamed in its codescholar.google.comnamed in its code
Zotero (1)
Zotero lookup services
Evidence · file and line
api.crossref.orgcontent/refcheck.js · line 1222
let url = "https://api.crossref.org/works/" + encodeURIComponent(doi)
api.elsevier.comcontent/refcheck.js · line 2279
found = { url: "https://api.elsevier.com", mimeType: "application/pdf" };
api.openalex.orgcontent/refcheck.js · line 1800
let xhr = await Zotero.HTTP.request("GET", `https://api.openalex.org/${path}?${query}`, {

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+
    Reference Linker

    Highlights bibliography entries in the PDF reader whose papers are already in your library and opens the PDF or selects the item when clicked.

    Matches “open cited paper from reference list” · 2,506 downloads · Active · Zotero 9–10
  • A
    Semantic Zotero

    Shows the references of a selected paper from Semantic Scholar through a right-click menu, with authors, abstract and citation contexts for each.

    Matches “import cited papers one click” · 3,001 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.

No ratings yet.

Write a review
Your rating of Reference Checker v1.3.3

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 Reference Checker
ARecommended
  1. 1Download the plugin fileDownload v1.3.3.xpi · 0.04 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