Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / Citing & writing

Snowball Sources

by socratic-irony · github.com/socratic-irony/zotero-snowball

Find one-hop backward references and forward citations for Zotero items via OpenAlex.

Citing & writingOrganising & tagsImport & metadata
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.08 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
2
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
62
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
2
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
MIT
A+
Atlas gradeRecommended
because every code check came out low, and our live test in Zotero found nothing unexpected
Applies to v0.5.9, released 22 Sep 2026Code checked · tested installed in Zotero 10.0.3 on 27 Sep 2026
What we found in the codeSets the gradeThe worst finding in these three areas sets the grade.
Code transparencyReadable code, uploaded by the project's automated GitHub buildThe release file was uploaded by the project's automated GitHub build. We haven't yet rebuilt it from the source to compare.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Updates
Updates come from this project's GitHub repositoryThe update address offers this version
Where your data goesIts code only names services we could identify4 addresses in 1 group.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Scholarly services (4)
api.openalex.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.api.semanticscholar.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.doi.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.openalex.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.
Powerful capabilitiesStores API keys or passwordsLowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Stores API keys or passwordslowLow concern.
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 9, 10 · not 11 betaUpdates automatically
Zotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 10 ✓ worksZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needAn API keyDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 22 Sep 20262 contributors
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface: English
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 keyNeeds a key you get from the service (OpenAlex). What needs it: OpenAlex searches (user's own OpenAlex API key; Semantic Scholar key is optional and unused).

Where your data goes

We found: its code only names services we could identify. 4 addresses in 1 group.

Scholarly services (4)
api.openalex.orgnamed in its codeapi.semanticscholar.orgnamed in its codedoi.orgnamed in its codeopenalex.orgnamed in its code

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 Snowball Sources
A+Recommended, tested in Zotero
  1. 1Download the plugin fileDownload v0.5.9.xpi · 0.08 MB
  2. 2In Zotero, open Tools › Plugins
  3. 3Click the gear, choose Install Plugin From File… and pick the file
Step-by-step guide with pictures