Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Reading & PDFs

BabelDOC Side-by-Side

by Babylonehy · github.com/Babylonehy/zetero-BabelDoc

Zotero plugin for translating PDFs into bilingual side-by-side documents using BabelDOC CLI

Reading & PDFsTranslationImport & metadataAI & summaries
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.06 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
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
1,001
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
None stated
C
Atlas gradeNot recommended
because it installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version
Applies to v0.1.4, released 27 May 2026Code checked · tested installed in Zotero 9.0.6 on 27 Sep 2026
Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)Works with Zotero 8, 9.
Documentation in Chinese onlyOur summary is in English, but the plugin's own docs and support are in Chinese.
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 Babylonehy account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.UnknownWe couldn't check this yet.
Updates
Updates come from this project's GitHub repositoryThe update address offers this version
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify2 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
AI services (1)
api.openai.com
Translation (1)
BabelDOC (the AI provider it's set up with)
Where we found it
api.openai.comcontent/scripts/babeldocsidebyside.js · line 3382
var DEFAULT_OPENAI_BASE_URL_ROOT = "https://api.openai.com";
Powerful capabilitiesInstalls and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version, and 6 moreHighHigh concern: a serious problem. One high finding makes the grade C.
Installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed versionhighHigh concern: a serious problem.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.Launches programs on your computermediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install.Uses the clipboardlowLow concern.Stores API keys or passwordslowLow concern.Works with files on your computerlowLow concern.
Where we found it
Installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed versioncontent/scripts/babeldocsidebyside.js · line 5046

BabelDOC: installs the newest version each time

return [uvx, "--from", "BabelDOC", "babeldoc", ...tokens.slice(1)];
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…content/scripts/babeldocsidebyside.js · line 128

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/babeldocsidebyside.js · line 84

zotero://ztoolkit-debug

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://ztoolkit-debug"] = debugBridgeExtension;
Launches programs on your computercontent/scripts/babeldocsidebyside.js · line 4947

Programs it names include zsh

const process = Components.classes["@mozilla.org/process/util;1"].createInstance(
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 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 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 10 ✗ doesn't workZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needOr: a model on your own computerDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 27 May 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in Chinese onlyInterface: 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
  • Or: a model on your own computerIt can use a local model such as Ollama
  • Zotero 8, 9Not working with Zotero 10

Where your data goes

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

AI services (1)
api.openai.com
Translation (1)
BabelDOC (the AI provider it's set up with)
Evidence · file and line
api.openai.comcontent/scripts/babeldocsidebyside.js · line 3382
var DEFAULT_OPENAI_BASE_URL_ROOT = "https://api.openai.com";

Forks and alternatives

No forks listed.

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 BabelDOC Side-by-Side
CNot recommended
We don't recommend itIt installs and runs npm or PyPI packages without a fixed version.
Better-graded plugins for the same jobA+NoteroA+Google Scholar Citation CountA+Bionic for Zotero
Read what we found