🚀 Zotero AI Newton

[](https://www.zotero.org) [](https://github.com/newtontech/Zotero-AI-Newton) [](LICENSE) [](https://github.com/newtontech/Zotero-AI-Newton/releases/latest)

[English](README.md) | [简体中文](release/README-zhCN.md)

Transform your Zotero into an AI-powered knowledge hub! 💥
Chat with items, PDFs, or entire collections using OpenAI, DeepSeek, or custom LLMs. All data stays local. No more fragmented notes—unlock seamless AI research!

📣 Promo site: https://newtontech.github.io/Zotero-AI-Newton-website

✨ Killer Features

• 🧠 AI Knowledge Workspace: Multi-turn chats with full history, auto-syncing your Zotero selection
• 📄 PDF Superpowers: Instant summaries & Q&A on attached PDFs
• 📂 Collection Intelligence: Aggregate & reason across folders before LLM calls
• 🔌 Model Agnostic: OpenAI, DeepSeek, or custom—plug in your API key & model
• 🎨 Tone Mastery: Concise, detailed, or creative responses at the flip of a switch

🚀 Lightning-Fast Install (Prebuilt Beta)

1. 🎯 Download XPI Now – No build required!
2. Zotero: Tools → Add-ons → Install Add-on From File → Pick the XPI
3. ✅ Auto-Updates via release/update-beta.json – Stay on bleeding edge!

Compatibility Matrix

Component	Supported	Notes
Zotero	7.x	Primary target for the current beta
OS	macOS, Windows, Linux	Follows Zotero desktop support; report OS-specific UI issues with screenshots
Providers	OpenAI-compatible APIs, DeepSeek-compatible APIs	Configure base URL, API key, and model in preferences
Network mode	User-provided API key	Zotero data stays local; selected context is sent only to the configured provider

Release Flow

1. Run npm run lint:check.
2. Run npm run test when Zotero test tooling is available locally.
3. Run npm run build and verify the generated XPI under .scaffold/build/.
4. Copy the versioned XPI into release/ and update release/update-beta.json.
5. Install the packaged XPI in a clean Zotero profile and test item, PDF, and collection chat.
6. Publish a GitHub release with compatibility notes and known limitations.

Screenshot Checklist

Before each public beta, refresh screenshots or GIFs for add-on installation, preferences, item chat, PDF Q&A, and collection context preview.

⚙️ 2-Min Setup

1. Edit → Preferences → Zotero AI Newton
2. Enter your OpenAI/DeepSeek API key + model
3. Choose scope (auto/item/collection) & tone → Save
4. Go online – You're AI-ready! 🚀

🔨 Build from Source (Devs)

git clone https://github.com/newtontech/Zotero-AI-Newton
cd Zotero-AI-Newton
npm install
npm run build  # → .scaffold/build/*.xpi

Install the XPI as above. Hot-reload: npm run start 🔥

⚙️ Customize Your AI

Edit → Preferences → Zotero AI Newton: Pick provider, API URL/key, model, scope & tone. All local, zero telemetry! 🔒

The active AI surface is intentionally small for the beta: summaries, keyword extraction, related-reading directions, and grounded chat. See AI Feature Roadmap for the YAGNI boundary and evaluation baseline.

🎯 Get Started in Seconds

• Select items/collection → AI Workspace tab for context preview
• Open Zotero AI Newton sidebar (or right-click menu) → Chat away! 💬
• 🔄 Refresh context on selection changes

👨‍💻 Dev Mode

npm run start     # 🌡️ Hot reload
npm run lint:check # 🔍 Code quality
npm run build      # 📦 Release XPI

Quality gate before opening a PR:

npm run lint:check
npm run build
npm run test

🖼️ Brand Assets

• Primary icon: addon/content/icons/newton-n-star.svg
• Icons are centralized under addon/content/icons to avoid scattered asset folders.

🌟 Join the Revolution

⭐ Star us on GitHub!
🤝 Contribute: Better prompts, new models, PDF magic? PRs welcome!
💬 Feedback: Issues or Discord soon...

Made with ❤️ for researchers worldwide.