Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Reading & PDFs

Zotero PDF Translate

by Jinshijiming · github.com/Jinshijiming/zotero-pdf-translate-z6

PDF translation for Zotero built-in PDF reader.

Reading & PDFsTranslationAI & summaries
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.1 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
0
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
10
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
C
Atlas gradeNot recommended
because a zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it run code without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)
Applies to v1.0.25, released 31 Aug 2025Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)
Another plugin uses the same ID13 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 Jinshijiming account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.UnknownWe couldn't check this yet.
Updates
Updates come from windingwind/zotero-pdf-translate, another listed project with the same add-on IDThe update address has no version for Zotero 6
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify27 addresses in 3 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (1)
api.openai.com
Translation (25)
api-free.deepl.comapi.cognitive.microsofttranslator.comapi.deepl.comapi.dictionaryapi.devapi.fanyi.baidu.comapi.interpreter.caiyunai.comapi.microsofttranslator.comapi.niutrans.comapi.openl.clubapis.niutrans.comaudio.dict.cnnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.capi.dict.cncn.bing.comdict.cnejje.weblio.jpfanyi.youdao.comitrans.xfyun.cnnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.niutrans.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.openapi.youdao.comtmt.tencentcloudapi.comtranslate.google.comtranslate.googleapis.comwww.collinsdictionary.comwww.youdao.comwww2.deepl.com
Scholarly services (1)
dict.cnki.net
Where we found it
api.openai.comchrome/content/scripts/index.js · line 1046
"https://api.openai.com/v1/models",
api-free.deepl.comchrome/content/scripts/index.js · line 6111
return await deepl("https://api-free.deepl.com/v2/translate", data);
api.cognitive.microsofttranslator.comchrome/content/scripts/index.js · line 6472
`https://api.cognitive.microsofttranslator.com/translate?api-version=3.0&to=${data.langto}`,
Powerful capabilitiesA zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it run code without asking you, and 3 moreHighHigh concern: a serious problem. One high finding makes the grade C.
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it run code without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)highHigh concern: a serious problem.Sends your text or keys unencrypted (http://) to api.fanyi.baidu.com, api.interpreter.caiyunai.com and 3 moremediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.Uses the clipboardlowLow concern.Stores API keys or passwordslowLow concern.
Where we found it
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it run code with…chrome/content/scripts/index.js · line 113

zotero://ztoolkit-debug

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://ztoolkit-debug"] = debugBridgeExtension;
Sends your text or keys unencrypted (http://) to api.fanyi.baidu.com…chrome/content/scripts/index.js · line 5678

Anyone on the network in between can read it

`http://api.fanyi.baidu.com/api/trans/vip/translate?q=${encodeURIComponent(
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withNo Zotero version we know ofDoesn't work with the current Zotero (10)MediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Zotero 9 ✗ doesn't workZotero 10 ✗ doesn't workZotero 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.
MaintenanceSlowing down · last release 31 Aug 20251 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: Google (googleapi) or CNKI, chosen as the default service. Needs a key (Microsoft Translator, Baidu Translate, Tencent and OpenAI): Commercial engines such as Microsoft, Baidu, Tencent, DeepL, GPT.
  • An older ZoteroNot working with Zotero 10

Where your data goes

We found: only contacts services we could identify. 27 addresses in 3 groups.

AI services (1)
api.openai.com
Translation (25)
api-free.deepl.comapi.cognitive.microsofttranslator.comapi.deepl.comapi.dictionaryapi.devapi.fanyi.baidu.comapi.interpreter.caiyunai.comapi.microsofttranslator.comapi.niutrans.comapi.openl.clubapis.niutrans.comaudio.dict.cnnamed in its codecapi.dict.cncn.bing.comdict.cnejje.weblio.jpfanyi.youdao.comitrans.xfyun.cnnamed in its codeniutrans.comnamed in its codeopenapi.youdao.comtmt.tencentcloudapi.comtranslate.google.comtranslate.googleapis.comwww.collinsdictionary.comwww.youdao.comwww2.deepl.com
Scholarly services (1)
dict.cnki.net
Evidence · file and line
api.openai.comchrome/content/scripts/index.js · line 1046
"https://api.openai.com/v1/models",
api-free.deepl.comchrome/content/scripts/index.js · line 6111
return await deepl("https://api-free.deepl.com/v2/translate", data);
api.cognitive.microsofttranslator.comchrome/content/scripts/index.js · line 6472
`https://api.cognitive.microsofttranslator.com/translate?api-version=3.0&to=${data.langto}`,

Forks and alternatives

13 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 14 plugins carry the same one, because people copied Translate for Zotero 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.
Zotero PDF Translate · this pluginJinshijiming/zotero-pdf-translate-z6CNot recommended1031 Aug 2025
Translate for ZoteroThe most used · windingwind/zotero-pdf-translateBUse with care10.9M18 Aug 2026
Translate for ZoteroCopy · nian1147/zotero-pdf-translate-medicalBUse with care619 Sep 2026
Translate for ZoteroCopy · helingfeng-hub/zotero-pdf-translate-thinking-levelBUse with care315 Sep 2026
See all 14 and how they differ →

No forks listed.

Plugins for the same job
  • NoteroReading & PDFs · Files, sync & backupA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Bionic for ZoteroReading & PDFsA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • ZotLitReading & PDFs · Citing & writingA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Zotero Focused ModeReading & 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 PDF Translate
CNot recommended
We don't recommend itA zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it run code without asking you (from zotero-plugin-toolkit).
Better-graded plugins for the same jobA+NoteroA+Bionic for ZoteroA+ZotLit
Read what we found