Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Import & metadata

Zsearch

by cloneorcopy · github.com/cloneorcopy/Zsearch

Search, import and download Elsevier (Scopus/ScienceDirect) literature into Zotero, Google-Scholar style.

Import & metadata
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.
1
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
None stated
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because updates are set to come from an address someone else could control, and 2 more findings
Applies to v1.0.0, released 28 Jul 2026Code checked · tested installed in Zotero 9.0.6 on 27 Sep 2026
Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)Works with Zotero 7, 8, 9.
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 transparencyUpdates are set to come from an address someone else could controlThe developer uploaded the release file from the cloneorcopy account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.MediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Updates
Updates are set to come from zotero-plugin-dev/zsearch on GitHub, which doesn't exist or isn't public: if the owner of "zotero-plugin-dev" published an update there, Zotero would install itThe update address is broken (nothing is there), so Zotero can't update it
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify18 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Scholarly services (17)
api.elsevier.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.api.semanticscholar.orgapi.springernature.comapi.unpaywall.orgarxiv.orgdev.springernature.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.doi.orgeutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.govexport.arxiv.orgieeexploreapi.ieee.orgpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.scholar.google.comsci-hub.ruwww.easyscholar.ccnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.www.jstor.orgnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.www.researchgate.netnamed in its codeThe address is in its code, but we didn't trace a request to it. It may be a link or unused.www.semanticscholar.org
Apps you connect (1)
www.google.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
api.semanticscholar.orgcontent/scripts/zsearch.js · line 5012
const url = "https://api.semanticscholar.org/graph/v1/paper/search?query=test&offset=0&limit=1&fields=title";
api.springernature.comcontent/scripts/zsearch.js · line 4994
const url = "https://api.springernature.com/meta/v2/json?q=test&p=1&s=1&api_key=" + encodeURIComponent(apiKey);
api.unpaywall.orgcontent/scripts/zsearch.js · line 3560
var API_URL = "https://api.unpaywall.org/v2";
Powerful capabilitiesA zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-ons without asking you, and 4 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
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.Stores API keys or passwordslowLow concern.Works with files on your computerlowLow concern.Sends lookups unencrypted (http://) to export.arxiv.orglowLow concern.
Where we found it
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/zsearch.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/zsearch.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 · not 10, 11 betaDoesn't work with the current Zotero (10)MediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Zotero 7 ✓ worksZotero 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 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.
MaintenanceActive · last release 28 Jul 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in ChineseInterface: 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: arXiv, PubMed, Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar sources work with no key. Needs a key (Elsevier, IEEE, Springer Nature and EasyScholar): Scopus (Elsevier API key), IEEE Xplore (IEEE key) and Springer (Springer key) sources need a key; EasyScholar key is for journal-rank badges.
  • Zotero 7, 8, 9Not working with Zotero 10

Where your data goes

We found: only contacts services we could identify. 18 addresses in 2 groups.

Scholarly services (17)
api.elsevier.comnamed in its codeapi.semanticscholar.orgapi.springernature.comapi.unpaywall.orgarxiv.orgdev.springernature.comnamed in its codedoi.orgeutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.govexport.arxiv.orgieeexploreapi.ieee.orgpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govnamed in its codescholar.google.comsci-hub.ruwww.easyscholar.ccnamed in its codewww.jstor.orgnamed in its codewww.researchgate.netnamed in its codewww.semanticscholar.org
Apps you connect (1)
www.google.comnamed in its code
Evidence · file and line
api.semanticscholar.orgcontent/scripts/zsearch.js · line 5012
const url = "https://api.semanticscholar.org/graph/v1/paper/search?query=test&offset=0&limit=1&fields=title";
api.springernature.comcontent/scripts/zsearch.js · line 4994
const url = "https://api.springernature.com/meta/v2/json?q=test&p=1&s=1&api_key=" + encodeURIComponent(apiKey);
api.unpaywall.orgcontent/scripts/zsearch.js · line 3560
var API_URL = "https://api.unpaywall.org/v2";

Forks and alternatives

No forks listed.

Plugins for the same job

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 Zsearch
BUse with care
Before you install: Updates are set to come from an address someone else could control, and 2 more findings.Read the finding
Compare with similar plugins