ZotLitLearn

About 12 minutes

Connect Zotero to Obsidian: your first literature note

Select Write literature note at the top right of the PDF.

You need Obsidian (1.15.1 or later, desktop)Zotero (Version 10, same computer)Zotero paper (One paper with a highlighted PDF)

ZotLit reads your Zotero library on this computer and changes nothing in it.

You end with

A connected library and your first literature note

The literature note displays a My thoughts heading and notes written directly above the Annotations section.

0 of 7 done

  1. Step 1 of 7Install ZotLit

    Open ZotLit in Obsidian with the link, then select Install and Enable.

    Show ZotLit in Obsidian

    The Zotero library tab opens showing the Let's get started badge and four setup steps above the paper list.

    You should see

    A tab named Zotero library opens with the badge Let's get started and four setup steps above your papers.

    If you see something else

    Obsidian opens on Restricted mode

    Select Exit Restricted mode, then select the link again.

    The link does not open Obsidian

    Open Obsidian Settings > Community plugins > Browse, search ZotLit, choose the ZotLit card by Aiden Liu, then Install and Enable.

    Obsidian’s installer is too old

    Install Obsidian from obsidian.md/download, then enable ZotLit.

    No tab opened

    Select the ZotLit icon in the left ribbon.

    None of these. Ask in the community →

  2. Step 2 of 7Check that ZotLit found Zotero

    Wait for Connect to Zotero to show a green check.

    The setup section shows Connect to Zotero with a green check, the data folder and the item count, and Install ZotLit Companion marked Recommended.

    You should see

    Connect to Zotero shows a green check, the Zotero data folder, and the item count.

    If you see something else

    The tab reads Zotero not found

    In Zotero, check Settings > Advanced > Data Directory Location. In Obsidian, select Locate data folder and choose that folder.

    None of these. Ask in the community →

  3. Step 3 of 7Install the Zotero add-on

    Download the add-on:

    Download the .xpizotlit-zotero-2.2.2.xpi

    The setup button Open installation guide leads to the same file.

    In Zotero, open Tools > Plugins, select the gear button > Install Plugin From File…, choose the .xpi, and select Open. Close the setup section with the × at the top right.

    With the setup section closed, the tab lists your Zotero papers with their authors, year, and journal.

    You should see

    ZotLit appears in Zotero’s plugin list. Install ZotLit Companion reads Installed, and papers fill the tab.

    If you see something else

    Firefox opens the file instead of saving it

    Right-click the link, select Save Link As…, then install the file in Zotero.

    None of these. Ask in the community →

  4. Step 4 of 7Find a paper

    Type a word from the title of your paper, such as reproducible, into Search papers, then select the paper.

    A card below the paper list displays the selected item's details alongside Open PDF and Write literature note buttons.

    You should see

    A card below the list shows the paper details, Open PDF, and Write literature note.

    If you see something else

    The list is empty

    Check that Connect to Zotero has a green check.

    None of these. Ask in the community →

  5. Step 5 of 7Open the PDF

    On the paper’s card, select Open PDF.

    The PDF opens in a tab showing coloured highlights alongside an annotations list of comments and tags.

    You should see

    The PDF opens with highlights and a sidebar listing each highlight, comment, and tag.

    If you see something else

    No highlights show

    Scroll to a page with highlights, or continue to Step 6.

    None of these. Ask in the community →

  6. Step 6 of 7Write the literature note

    At the top right of the PDF tab, select the page icon with a plus sign, Write literature note.

    The literature note opens beside the PDF with the notice Literature note created, displaying links and an Annotations section.

    You should see

    The notice appears: Literature note created. The note for your paper (here sandve2013) opens in literatures beside the PDF, with links to Zotero and the PDF, and an Annotations section.

    If you see something else

    The tooltip reads Open literature note

    The note exists already. Select the button to open it.

    None of these. Ask in the community →

  7. Step 7 of 7Add your own thoughts

    Under the links, type a heading such as My thoughts, then write your notes. ZotLit never changes your text. It keeps Annotations up to date.

    The literature note displays a My thoughts heading and notes written directly above the Annotations section.

    You should see

    Your text appears above the Annotations section.

    If you see something else

    There are no highlight cards

    Highlights appear here once you add them in Zotero or in Lesson 2.

    None of these. Ask in the community →

Lesson 1 complete

You can now open Zotero papers in Obsidian and create literature notes.

Two more chores

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