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ZoteroQuickLookMac

by gchapron · github.com/gchapron/ZoteroQuickLookMac

On macOS, previews the selected item's attachment when you press Space.

ZoteroQuickLookMac has Atlas grade B (use with care) because it launches programs on your computer, and 1 more finding. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Files, sync & backup
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.1 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.
140
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
379
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
9
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
11
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
2
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
MIT
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it launches programs on your computer, and 1 more finding
Applies to v1.0.11, released 25 Sep 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Another plugin uses the same IDOne other plugin shares this add-on ID. Zotero can only install one of them.
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 gchapron 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 goesNo web requests foundLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
No further detail for this area yet.
Powerful capabilitiesLaunches programs on your computer, and 2 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (2)
Launches programs on your computerRuns a compiled program it ships, which we can't read
Low concern (1)
Works with files on your computer
Where we found it
Launches programs on your computerquicklook.js · line 385

Programs it names include qlmanage, unzip

"resource://gre/modules/Subprocess.sys.mjs"
Runs a compiled program it ships, which we can't readquicklook.js · line 91

contactsheet, pdfpreview

contactMenuItem.id = "quicklook-contactsheet-menu-item";
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 25 Sep 20262 contributors
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface language not declared
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

On macOS, previews the selected item's attachment when you press Space. PDFs open in a PDFKit window with selectable text and your Zotero annotations, and other files use macOS QuickLook. Also previews notes and a PDF contact sheet.

Zotero has no Finder-style quick preview. It is a successor to the Zotero 4 to 6 QuickLook plugin, which stopped working with Zotero 7.

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 B or better. Closest match first.

  • B
    ZoteroQuickLook

    Opens the selected item's PDF in macOS Quick Look when you press space in the items list.

    Matches “quick look preview pdf” · 1,324 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

1 other plugin uses the same ID as this one. Every Zotero plugin carries an ID, a name tag Zotero uses to tell plugins apart. These 2 plugins carry the same one, because people copied ZoteroQuickLookMac 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.
ZoteroQuickLookMac · this plugingchapron/ZoteroQuickLookMacBUse with care37925 Sep 2026
See all 2 and how they differ →

2 listed forks.

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 ZoteroQuickLookMac
BUse with care
Before you install: It launches programs on your computer, and 1 more finding.Read the finding
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