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Zotero Research Copilot

by chrislucy838-collab · github.com/chrislucy838-collab/zotero-research-copilot

A privacy-first AI research assistant for Zotero with multi-paper context, evidence-linked citations, EPUB/PDF support, selection translation, persistent chat, and OpenAI-compatible/OAuth providers.

Reading & PDFsCiting & writingAI & summariesTranslation
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (1.4 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
4
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
121
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 it keeps its own tables in Zotero's database, and 2 more findings
Applies to v0.10.42, released 20 Sep 2026Code checked · tested installed in Zotero 10.0.3 on 27 Sep 2026
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 identify6 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (1)
chatgpt.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.
Scholarly services (5)
api.crossref.orgapi.openalex.orgapi.semanticscholar.orgarxiv.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.export.arxiv.org
Where we found it
api.crossref.orgcontent/scripts/zoteroResearchCopilot.js · line 38118
const url = `https://api.crossref.org/works?query.bibliographic=${encodeURIComponent(query)}&rows=${limit}`;
api.openalex.orgcontent/scripts/zoteroResearchCopilot.js · line 37922
const url = `https://api.openalex.org/works?search=${encodeURIComponent(query)}&per-page=${limit}`;
api.semanticscholar.orgcontent/scripts/zoteroResearchCopilot.js · line 37955
const url = `https://api.semanticscholar.org/graph/v1/paper/search?query=${encodeURIComponent(query)}&limit=${limit}&fields=${encodeURIComponent(fields)}`;
Powerful capabilitiesKeeps its own tables in Zotero's database, and 5 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Keeps its own tables in Zotero's databasemediumMedium concern: worth reading 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)mediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a prompt (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)mediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.Uses the clipboardlowLow concern.Stores API keys or passwordslowLow concern.Works with files on your computerlowLow concern.
Where we found it
Keeps its own tables in Zotero's databasecontent/scripts/zoteroResearchCopilot.js · line 4751
await Zotero.DB.queryAsync(
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/zoteroResearchCopilot.js · line 529

zotero://plugin

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://plugin"] = pluginBridgeExtension;
A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a promptcontent/scripts/zoteroResearchCopilot.js · line 485

zotero://ztoolkit-debug

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://ztoolkit-debug"] = debugBridgeExtension;
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 10 · not 9, 11 betaUpdates automatically
Zotero 9 ✗ doesn't workZotero 10 ✓ worksZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needAn API key for some featuresDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 20 Sep 20261 contributor
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

Description coming soon. We haven't written a summary yet. The line above is the developer's own description; the developer's README is linked above.

What you'll need

Detected automatically
  • An API key for some featuresWorks without one: A local OpenAI-compatible endpoint such as Ollama, with the key left empty. Needs a key (OpenAI): Hosted OpenAI-compatible gateways need a key; an unauthenticated local endpoint does not.
  • Or: a model on your own computerIt can use a local model such as Ollama

Where your data goes

We found: only contacts services we could identify. 6 addresses in 2 groups.

AI services (1)
chatgpt.comnamed in its code
Scholarly services (5)
api.crossref.orgapi.openalex.orgapi.semanticscholar.orgarxiv.orgnamed in its codeexport.arxiv.org
Evidence · file and line
api.crossref.orgcontent/scripts/zoteroResearchCopilot.js · line 38118
const url = `https://api.crossref.org/works?query.bibliographic=${encodeURIComponent(query)}&rows=${limit}`;
api.openalex.orgcontent/scripts/zoteroResearchCopilot.js · line 37922
const url = `https://api.openalex.org/works?search=${encodeURIComponent(query)}&per-page=${limit}`;
api.semanticscholar.orgcontent/scripts/zoteroResearchCopilot.js · line 37955
const url = `https://api.semanticscholar.org/graph/v1/paper/search?query=${encodeURIComponent(query)}&limit=${limit}&fields=${encodeURIComponent(fields)}`;

Forks and alternatives

No forks listed.

Plugins for the same job
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  • Google Scholar Citation CountCiting & writing · Import & metadataA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Bionic for ZoteroReading & PDFsA+Recommended, tested in Zotero

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
Install Zotero Research Copilot
BUse with care
Before you install: It keeps its own tables in Zotero's database, and 2 more findings.Read the finding
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