Synchronize your Zotero settings, plugin configurations, installed plugins, custom citation styles, and site-specific settings across devices using Zotero's built-in sync. No external accounts or services required. Supports English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

What Gets Synced

Category	Details
Zotero Settings	Zotero preferences (General, Sync, Export, Cite, Advanced, etc.)
Plugin Configurations	Third-party plugin configurations
Installed Plugins	Third-party .xpi plugin files
Citation Styles	Custom .csl files (built-in Zotero styles are excluded)
Site-specific Settings	Per-site Quick Copy export rules

Each category can be individually toggled on or off. All are enabled by default.

What's NOT Synced

• Device-specific file paths — any file path (e.g., data directory, attachment base directory) is automatically detected and excluded
• Zotero Account Credentials — never included in sync data

How It Works

The plugin stores your settings in a dedicated collection ([SettingsSync] DO NOT DELETE) in your Zotero library. This collection syncs through Zotero's standard cloud sync, making your settings available on any device.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Your Zotero Library                      │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐    │
│  │  [SettingsSync] DO NOT DELETE                       │    │
│  │  ├── settings.json (~3 KB)                          │    │
│  │  ├── custom-style-1.csl                             │    │
│  │  ├── custom-style-2.csl                             │    │
│  │  ├── plugin-name@author.xpi                         │    │
│  │  └── ...                                            │    │
│  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              ▲
                              │ Zotero Sync
                              ▼
                    ┌─────────────────┐
                    │  Zotero Cloud   │
                    └─────────────────┘
                              ▲
                              │ Zotero Sync
                              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   Another Device                            │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Installation

1. Download the latest .xpi from Releases
2. In Zotero: Tools → Plugins → ⚙ → Install Plugin From File
3. Select the .xpi file and click open

Usage

Setup

1. Go to Edit → Settings → Sync and log in with your Zotero account
2. Enable "Sync automatically"
3. Go to Edit → Settings → Settings Sync and confirm the status shows "Ready"

Sync to Cloud

Click "Sync to Cloud" to save your current settings to Zotero's cloud.

Apply from Cloud

On another device, click "Apply from Cloud" to restore settings. Restart Zotero when prompted.

Selective Sync

Use the checkboxes to choose which categories to include. Unchecked categories are skipped in both directions, data from previous syncs is preserved.

Requirements

• Zotero 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
• Zotero account with sync enabled and "Sync automatically" turned on

Important Notes

Warning Do not delete the [SettingsSync] DO NOT DELETE collection — it contains your synced data.

• Some settings require restarting Zotero to take effect
• The plugin will prompt you to restart after applying settings

Development

Built with the Zotero Plugin Template.

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/gaviiiinnnn/zotero-settings-sync.git
cd zotero-settings-sync

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Copy .env.example to .env and fill in your local Zotero paths
cp .env.example .env   # Windows: copy .env.example .env

# Start development server (with hot reload)
npm start

# Build for production
npm run build

License

AGPL-3.0

Acknowledgments

• Zotero Plugin Template by windingwind
• Zotero team