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manage the path from research-source collection to citation in one library

OSS scale score Not calculatedOSS health 100
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Stars
15,432
Primary language
JavaScript
License
Not determined
Repository last updated
Sep 29, 2026
On this page

Overview

Zotero is a cross-platform reference manager for collecting, organizing, annotating, citing, and sharing research sources. A local library keeps research materials and metadata together and connects them to citation workflows.

Features and best fit

Based on official documentation; not hands-on tested · Content checked:

Key features

Organize research sources and metadata in one library

Research materials and web sources can be collected with their metadata and organized into a reusable reference library.

Sources: [2]

Extend the workflow into annotation, citation, and sharing

Stored research sources can feed annotation, citation, and sharing workflows for writing and collaboration.

Sources: [2]

Best fit

Fits researchers who want a local-first reference library

It is useful when source tracking and citation metadata should be managed primarily through a desktop application rather than scattered across separate tools.

Sources: [2]

Before adoption

Distinguish the stable 10.0 branch from main development

The 10.0 branch reports 10.0.5.SOURCE while main reports 11.0.SOURCE. Source builds and extension testing should pin the intended branch explicitly.

Sources: [4][1]

Source builds require Gecko components and several build tools

Building requires Node.js 18+, Git LFS, Python, Perl, archive utilities, and Zotero-specific Gecko components. Official binaries are simpler for ordinary users.

Sources: [5][6]

Official sources

  1. [1]zotero/zotero repository(2026-09-30)
  2. [2]Zotero README(2026-09-30)
  3. [3]Zotero AGPLv3 and trademark notice(2026-09-30)
  4. [4]Zotero 10.0 stable branch version file(2026-09-30)
  5. [5]Zotero development build script(2026-09-30)
  6. [6]Zotero build requirements script(2026-09-30)
Supplemental curator note

Zotero is a desktop reference manager for collecting, organizing, annotating, citing, and sharing research sources. The project does not use GitHub Releases; the stable 10.0 branch reports 10.0.5.SOURCE while main reports 11.0.SOURCE. Source code is AGPLv3, while the Zotero name is a registered trademark and third-party components retain their own licenses.

Try it in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Get the Zotero 10.0 stable source

    Check out the 10.0 branch, which reports version 10.0.5.SOURCE. Prepare Node.js 18+, Git LFS, Python, Perl, zip/xz/rsync, and the other platform build tools first.

    git clone --depth 1 --branch 10.0 https://github.com/zotero/zotero.git && cd zotero && git lfs install && git lfs pull
  2. 2

    Install JavaScript dependencies

    Install development dependencies exactly from package-lock.json.

    npm ci
  3. 3

    Build and run the development client

    Build JavaScript and the platform bundle, then start Zotero in debug mode. Main is already 11.0.SOURCE, so keep the 10.0 branch for stable-line testing.

    app/scripts/build_and_run
Check the official README

Growth

Growth trends · Last 30 days

15,432 Stars

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GitHub data

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View on GitHub
Stars
15,432
Forks
1,137
Watchers
138
Open issues
1,607
Owner type
Organization
Primary language
JavaScript
License
Not determined
Repository last updated
Sep 29, 2026
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