Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Files, sync & backup

ZotFile

by jlegewie · github.com/jlegewie/zotfile

The classic attachment manager: renames and moves PDFs into a custom folder, attaches new downloads, sends PDFs to a tablet folder and back, and extracts PDF annotations into notes.

ZotFile has Atlas grade C (not recommended) because a button in its settings downloads and runs a PDF tool on Intel Macs; it comes over plain http, so anyone on your network could swap it. It's a Zotero 6 plugin, so Zotero 7 and later can't load it. What to use instead. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

Files, sync & backupReading & PDFs
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.5 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.
990k
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
2.1M
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
33
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
4,377
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
53
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
None stated
C
Atlas gradeNot recommended
because a button in its settings downloads and runs a PDF tool on Intel Macs; it comes over plain http, so anyone on your network could swap it
Applies to v5.1.2, released 8 Oct 2022Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Legacy plugin for Zotero 6 onlyUses the old plugin format. Zotero 7 and later can't load it.
Another plugin uses the same ID2 other plugins share 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 jlegewie 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 goesContacts developers' servers: www.zotfile.com and zotfile.com2 addresses in 1 group.MediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Developer's servers (2)
www.zotfile.comzotfile.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.
Where we found it
www.zotfile.comchrome/content/zotfile/options.js · line 645
var download = Downloads.createDownload({source: url, target: file});
Powerful capabilitiesA button in its settings downloads and runs a PDF tool on Intel Macs; it comes over plain http, so anyone on your network could swap it, and 4 moreHighHigh concern: a serious problem. One high finding makes the grade C.
High concern (1)
A button in its settings downloads and runs a PDF tool on Intel Macs; it comes over plain http, so anyone on your network could swap it
Medium concern (1)
Launches programs on your computer
Low concern (3)
Uses the clipboardRuns code it assembles while runningWorks with files on your computer
Where we found it
A button in its settings downloads and runs a PDF tool on Intel Macs…chrome/content/zotfile/options.js · line 645

It downloads over unencrypted http and nothing checks the file, so anyone on the same network, such as public Wi-Fi, could swap in a program of their own. A button in its settings (Intel Macs only) downloads ZotFile's Poppler tool from zotfile.com and runs it; the README doesn't mention it. The file is no longer on the server, so today the button fails.

var download = Downloads.createDownload({source: url, target: file});
Launches programs on your computerchrome/content/zotfile/options.js · line 650

Programs it names include unzip

var proc = Components.classes["@mozilla.org/process/util;1"].
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 6 only (legacy plugin)Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)MediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Zotero 6 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✗ doesn't workZotero 10 ✗ doesn't workZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needNothing extra detectedDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceDormant · last release 8 Oct 202253 contributors
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface: German, English, French and Italian
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

The classic attachment manager: renames and moves PDFs into a custom folder, attaches new downloads, sends PDFs to a tablet folder and back, and extracts PDF annotations into notes.

It solved file clutter and mobile reading before Zotero had its own reader and renaming. It only runs on Zotero 6 and is unmaintained, so its downloads are mostly historical; ZotMoov and Attanger took over.

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: contacts developers' servers: www.zotfile.com and zotfile.com. 2 addresses in 1 group.

Developer's servers (2)
www.zotfile.comzotfile.comnamed in its code
Evidence · file and line
www.zotfile.comchrome/content/zotfile/options.js · line 645
var download = Downloads.createDownload({source: url, target: file});

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
    Zotero Attanger

    Manages attachment files: attach your latest download to an item with one shortcut, rename files with Zotero's naming template, and move them into a folder tree built from metadata or collections, ready for Dropbox or OneDrive.

    Matches “rename attachment files by template” · 2.79M downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10, 11 beta
    Works with Zotero 10Actively maintained
  • A
    ZotMoov

    Moves or copies attachments into a folder you choose as linked files, automatically on import or by right-click.

    Matches “move attachments to a folder” · 991,569 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
    Works with Zotero 10Actively maintained
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

2 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 3 plugins carry the same one, because people copied ZotFile 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.
See all 3 and how they differ →

3 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.

Write a review
Your rating of ZotFile v5.1.2

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Install ZotFile
CNot recommended
We don't recommend itA button in its settings downloads and runs a PDF tool on Intel Macs; it comes over plain http, so anyone on your network could swap it.
Better-graded plugins for the same jobA+Bionic for ZoteroA+Zotero Focused ModeA+PDFerret for Zotero
Read what we found