Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Translation

RetainPDF

by Hao-IANWY · github.com/Hao-IANWY/zotero-retainpdf-plugin

Translates a paper's PDF from the right-click menu while keeping formulas and layout, then attaches translated-only and bilingual PDFs to the item.

RetainPDF 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 1 more finding. It works with Zotero 7–10, 11 beta. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Translation
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.08 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.
33
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
96
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
12
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
6
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
MIT
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 1 more finding
Applies to v0.1.14, released 30 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 Hao-IANWY 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 offers this version
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify3 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (2)
RetainPDF (Baidu PaddleOCR and the AI provider it's set up with)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.
On your computer (1)
127.0.0.1
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 (2)
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)
Low concern (2)
Stores API keys or passwordsWorks 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/retainpdf.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/retainpdf.js · line 85

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 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 30 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

Translates a paper's PDF from the right-click menu while keeping formulas and layout, then attaches translated-only and bilingual PDFs to the item. Scanned PDFs go through OCR. Needs its own Docker server and a model key. Documented in Chinese.

Translation tools often break formulas and columns. This restores the layout and returns the files to the item without manual steps.

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. 3 addresses in 2 groups.

AI services (2)
RetainPDF (Baidu PaddleOCR and the AI provider it's set up with)api.deepseek.comnamed in its code
On your computer (1)
127.0.0.1

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
    Equalang

    Translates PDF, Word, PowerPoint and Excel attachments with the layout kept, plus selected text in the reader.

    Matches “translate pdf keep layout” · 166 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
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

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 RetainPDF
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 1 more finding.Read the finding
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