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Plugins / Reading & PDFs

Sci-PDF

by syt2 · github.com/syt2/zotero-scipdf

Registers Sci-Hub mirrors as a Zotero PDF resolver, so Find Full Text and automatic downloads fetch papers from Sci-Hub for any item with a DOI.

Reading & PDFsImport & metadata
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.05 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
1,017
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
936,725
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
19
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it changes Zotero settings that aren't its own, and 2 more findings
Applies to v8.1.1, released 9 Sep 2026Code checked · tested installed in Zotero 10.0.3 on 27 Sep 2026
Another plugin uses the same ID2 other plugins share this add-on ID. Zotero can only install one of them.
Contacts a shadow libraryUsing a site such as Sci-Hub carries legal risk in some countries.
What we found in the codeSets the gradeThe worst finding in these three areas sets the grade.
Code transparencyReadable code, uploaded by the project's automated GitHub buildThe release file was uploaded by the project's automated GitHub build. We haven't yet rebuilt it from the source to compare.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Updates
Updates come from this project's GitHub repositoryThe update address offers this version
Where your data goesIts code only names services we could identify7 addresses in 1 group.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Scholarly services (7)
sci-hub.boxnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.sci-hub.eenamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.sci-hub.rednamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.sci-hub.rennamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.sci-hub.runamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.sci-hub.senamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.sci-hub.stnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.
Powerful capabilitiesChanges Zotero settings that aren't its own, and 2 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Changes Zotero settings that aren't its ownmediumMedium concern: worth reading 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)mediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a prompt (from zotero-plugin-toolkit)mediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.
Where we found it
Changes Zotero settings that aren't its owncontent/scripts/scipdf.js · line 3710

Adds sources to Zotero's Find Available PDF, at startup, without asking

Zotero.Prefs.set(_CustomResolverManager.zoteroCustomResolversPrefKey, JSON.stringify(resolvers), true);
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/scipdf.js · line 129

zotero://plugin

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://plugin"] = pluginBridgeExtension;
A zotero:// link can make it run code if you approve a promptcontent/scripts/scipdf.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 · 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 9 Sep 202619 contributors
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

Written by AI from the README

Registers Sci-Hub mirrors as a Zotero PDF resolver, so Find Full Text and automatic downloads fetch papers from Sci-Hub for any item with a DOI.

Researchers without institutional access hit paywalls. Note that Sci-Hub distributes copyrighted papers without permission, and using it is illegal in many jurisdictions.

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: its code only names services we could identify. 7 addresses in 1 group.

Scholarly services (7)
sci-hub.boxnamed in its codesci-hub.eenamed in its codesci-hub.rednamed in its codesci-hub.rennamed in its codesci-hub.runamed in its codesci-hub.senamed in its codesci-hub.stnamed in its code

Forks and alternatives

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 Sci-PDF 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.
Sci-PDF · this pluginsyt2/zotero-scipdfBUse with care936,7259 Sep 2026
See all 3 and how they differ →

3 listed forks.

Plugins for the same job
  • NoteroReading & PDFs · Files, sync & backupA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Google Scholar Citation CountCiting & writing · Import & metadataA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Bionic for ZoteroReading & PDFsA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • ZotLitReading & PDFs · Citing & writingA+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 Sci-PDF
BUse with care
Before you install: It changes Zotero settings that aren't its own, and 2 more findings.Read the finding
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