PapersGPT-for-Zotero is a local, C++-powered Zotero extension that enables cross-document synthesis and library-wide search without cloud dependencies. It supports multiple local LLMs and MCP integration, with recent releases adding Zotero indexing/search improvements and support for various models.
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What it is
PapersGPT is a professional-grade Zotero extension engineered in Native C++ to transform thousands of isolated PDFs into a single, high-precision knowledge engine. It emphasizes 100% local processing with no external APIs or cloud dependencies, enabling cross-document synthesis and global library search.
How it works
PapersGPT provides a local indexing and search engine for Zotero libraries, supporting multiple local LLMs (e.g., Gemma 4, Qwen3.5 4B) and OpenAI-compatible endpoints via MCP. It offers a workflow to chat with single PDFs, multiple PDFs, or the entire library, with options to jump to cited sources and to manage findings within Zotero Notes. The software operates offline and focuses on privacy and data sovereignty.
Getting started
Step 1: Download and Install
- First, download the latest PapersGPT.
- Then, install the downloaded Zotero plugin file. For more details, please see here.
Step 2: Start Chatting with a PDF, Multiple PDFs or your entire Zotero Library
1. Launch PapersGPT
-
Chat with a Single PDF
- Open a PDF from your Zotero library.
- When you need AI assistance, click <img width="24" height="24" alt="papersgpt-logo" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5658ede0-131f-481c-93f0-b4072440524e" /> on the top menu of the PDF viewer or use a keyboard shortcut:
- macOS:
Command + Enter - Windows:
Ctrl + Enter
- macOS:
-
Chat with Multiple PDFs
- Select multiple files or a collection in the main Zotero window. Hold
Ctrlwhile clicking files on Windows. HoldCommandwhile clicking files on Mac.
- Select multiple files or a collection in the main Zotero window. Hold
-
Chat with the entire Zotero Library
- Simply check "Search entire library" in PapersGPT, and it will search the entire document library for relevant documents and synthesize answers based on the questions.
Step 3: Manage Your Findings and close the chat
- After chatting, you can easily save the key insights and answers you've gathered from the conversation.
- When you're finished, click the red cross (X) close button to exit the PapersGPT window.
🔌 MCP & SKILL Support
Support MCP which makes you can access your Zotero papers in Claude, ChatGPT desktop app, please see here in detail.
Professional SKILL provides various agents for connecting to your local Zotero library.
If you use OpenClaw, you can see the papersgpt-for-zotero skill here. You are welcome to submit any issues in this github repo or clawhub.
🏢 Professional Compliance
PapersGPT is designed for professionals in Research, Legal and Finance who handle high-stakes, sensitive data:
- Research: Cross-reference thousands of papers while maintaining 100% data sovereignty.
- Finance: Synthesize decade-long 10-K filings without cloud risk.
- Legal: Perform high-precision discovery across thousands of case files.
👥 Release history
- Latest releases include v0.6.1 (2026-07-19) with indexing/search improvements and model support, v0.6.0 (2026-07-03) with improved chat responses and jumpable references, and earlier updates addressing local model support and performance.
🚦 Traction
- Stars: 2582 (as per repository facts)