LLM-for-Zotero is a Zotero plugin that integrates Large Language Models (LLMs) directly into the Zotero PDF reader, acting as an AI research assistant. It enables researchers to query papers, summarize content, explain complex text, interpret figures, and compare documents without leaving the Zotero environment, thereby streamlining literature review and information extraction.

How It Works

This plugin functions as a Zotero side panel, allowing users to interact with LLMs while viewing PDFs. When a paper is open, the plugin loads its content as context for the LLM, enabling grounded answers and direct links to source material. It supports various LLM providers (e.g., OpenAI, Gemini, Deepseek) and can integrate local models via OpenAI-compatible APIs. A new, beta "Agent Mode" introduces a primitive tool surface for advanced library interactions, including searching, reading, and modifying Zotero items.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Installation: Download the latest .xpi release from GitHub Releases. In Zotero, navigate to Tools -> Add-ons, click the gear icon, and select Install Add-on From File, then restart Zotero.
• Configuration: In Zotero Preferences -> llm-for-zotero, select a Provider, and input API Base URL, secret key, and model name.
• Prerequisites: Zotero application. For "Codex auth" mode (using ChatGPT Plus without an API key), Node.js 18+ and the @openai/codex CLI must be installed and logged in. Local models require an OpenAI-compatible HTTP API.
• Links: GitHub Releases Page (implied for .xpi download).

Highlighted Details

• "Jump to your source of paper in one click": Answers are grounded in the document, with direct links to the source within Zotero.
• Supports summarizing entire papers, explaining selected text, interpreting figures via screenshots (up to 10), and comparing multiple open papers.
• Can ingest external documents (PDF, DOCX, PPTX, TXT, markdown) not present in Zotero.
• Seamlessly saves LLM answers and selected text to Zotero notes, with automatic conversation history saving and markdown export.
• Offers multi-provider support, allowing configuration of various LLM models with customizable reasoning levels and hyperparameters.
• "Agent Mode" (beta) provides tools for querying the Zotero library, inspecting PDFs, searching literature online, and mutating library items.

Maintenance & Community

The project acknowledges contributor @jianghao-zhang. Users are encouraged to open GitHub issues for feedback and suggestions. No specific community channels (like Discord/Slack) or roadmap links are provided in the README.

Licensing & Compatibility

The license type is not explicitly stated in the provided README, which is a significant omission for due diligence. The plugin is designed for Zotero and supports various LLM providers and local models via compatible APIs.

Limitations & Caveats

The "Agent Mode" is currently in beta, disabled by default, and has limited functionality. The "Codex auth" mode has specific limitations, including the lack of support for embeddings and certain file upload flows. The absence of a stated license poses an adoption blocker.