Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Reading & PDFs

Better Notes for Zotero

by moeiniamir · github.com/moeiniamir/zotero-better-notes

Everything about note management. All in Zotero.

Reading & PDFs
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (5.2 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.
0
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
17
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
C
Atlas gradeNot recommended
because a zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it run code without asking you
Applies to v3.0.3, released 16 Mar 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
Doesn't work with the current Zotero (10)Works with Zotero 8, 9.
Fork of windingwind/zotero-better-notesA copy of another listed plugin, changed by someone else.
Another plugin uses the same ID3 other plugins share this add-on ID. Zotero can only install one of them.
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 moeiniamir account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.UnknownWe couldn't check this yet.
Updates
Updates come from windingwind/zotero-better-notes, another listed project with the same add-on IDZotero will update it on Zotero 9 to version 3.3.3 from windingwind/zotero-better-notes on GitHub (rated: Review the details)
Where your data goesIts code only names services we could identify2 addresses in 2 groups.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Zotero (1)
zotero.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.
On your computer (1)
localhost
Powerful capabilitiesA zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it run code without asking you, and 3 moreHighHigh concern: a serious problem. One high finding makes the grade C.
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it run code without asking youhighHigh 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.Runs code it assembles while runninglowLow concern.Works with files on your computerlowLow concern.
Where we found it
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it run code with…chrome/content/scripts/BetterNotes.js · line 37331

zotero://ztoolkit-debug (prompt turned off)

_ztoolkit.basicOptions.debug.disableDebugBridgePassword = env === "development";
A zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it install add-o…chrome/content/scripts/BetterNotes.js · line 24468

zotero://plugin

Services.io.getProtocolHandler("zotero").wrappedJSObject._extensions["zotero://plugin"] = pluginBridgeExtension;
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 needZotero 8, 9Detected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceSlowing down · last release 16 Mar 202617 contributors
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface: German, English, Italian, Russian, Turkish 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
  • Zotero 8, 9Not working with Zotero 10

Where your data goes

We found: its code only names services we could identify. 2 addresses in 2 groups.

Zotero (1)
zotero.orgnamed in its code
On your computer (1)
localhost

Forks and alternatives

Fork of windingwind/zotero-better-notes.

3 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 4 plugins carry the same one, because people copied Better Notes for Zotero 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.
Better Notes for Zotero · this pluginmoeiniamir/zotero-better-notesCNot recommended016 Mar 2026
Better Notes for ZoteroThe most used · windingwind/zotero-better-notesBUse with care11.8M24 Aug 2026
See all 4 and how they differ →

No forks listed.

Plugins for the same job
  • NoteroReading & PDFs · Files, sync & backupA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Bionic for ZoteroReading & PDFsA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • ZotLitReading & PDFs · Citing & writingA+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  • Zotero Focused ModeReading & PDFsA+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 Better Notes for Zotero
CNot recommended
We don't recommend itA zotero:// link (a web page can open one) can make it run code without asking you.
Better-graded plugins for the same jobA+NoteroA+Bionic for ZoteroA+ZotLit
Read what we found