Obsidian Zotero Importer

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What it is

A small Obsidian scripting setup powered by the Obsidian Templater plugin (https://github.com/SilentVoid13/Templater): it fetches item metadata directly from Zotero's Local API on your machine and inserts the metadata into the current (existing) note, instead of creating a new note.

This is for people who want a lean Obsidian/Zotero workflow:

• No dependency on third-party plugins like zotero-integration / zotlit
• No requirement for Better BibTeX (optional only: if installed, the script tries to resolve a citation key; otherwise it falls back to the Zotero item key)

Why this approach

• Templater-only: fewer moving parts, less likely to break on major Obsidian/Zotero updates
• Stay in Obsidian: select items from an in-app suggester list (no switching apps / external pickers)
• Direct Zotero Local API: no export steps, still gets core metadata (title/authors/year/journal/abstract/collections)

Repo layout

• scripts/zotero_picker.js: Templater user script; loads Zotero items, shows an Obsidian picker, returns structured metadata
• templates/temp.md: example template; writes metadata to YAML frontmatter + an info callout + abstract

Prerequisites

1. Obsidian plugin: Templater
2. Zotero is running, with the setting enabled:
   • "Allow other applications on this computer to communicate with Zotero" (wording may vary)
3. Zotero Local API default port: 23119 (this project calls http://localhost:23119)

Setup

1. Copy scripts/zotero_picker.js into your vault's Templater "User scripts" folder (as configured in Templater settings).
2. Copy templates/temp.md into your Templater template folder (or your own templates directory).
3. Restart Obsidian (or reload Templater).

Usage (insert into an existing note)

1. Open the note you want to enrich (an existing note).
2. Run Templater: Insert template.
3. Choose temp.md.
4. Select an item from the in-app picker.
5. The template inserts metadata into the current note (YAML + info + Abstract).

Customization

• Edit templates/temp.md to match your frontmatter fields / layout / tagging rules.
• Better BibTeX is optional:
  • If present, the script attempts to fetch a citation key.
  • If not, it falls back to the Zotero itemKey.
  • You can remove the Better BibTeX block in scripts/zotero_picker.js if you want zero optional integration.

Troubleshooting

• Connection failed / no items:
  • Ensure Zotero is running
  • Ensure the "allow other applications..." setting is enabled
  • Ensure nothing blocks local port 23119
• Script errors:
  • Open Obsidian devtools (Cmd+Option+I) and check Console logs

Note

This script can be extended very easily to fetch Zotero notes/annotations as well, if you want. This project stays minimal on purpose and only fetches metadata.