Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.5.0

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.5.0

This release adds optional Studio prompts to the MCP workflow and makes the Chrome companion easier to install.

• Ask your AI assistant to prepare an Audio Overview prompt alongside your Zotero sources. The new suggest-studio-prompt tool guides the assistant toward roughly 100–200 words based on your sources, interests, and requested Studio format.
• When a prompt is queued, the Chrome popup shows Copy Studio Prompt. Copy it before importing; a checkmark confirms success. After the sources arrive, paste the prompt into Studio's instructions and start generation there. Prompts are optional, and ordinary imports work as before.
• Open Tools → Gemini Notebook Connector → Install Chrome Extension in Zotero to reach the Chrome Web Store listing.
• Updated development dependencies to address the repository's Dependabot alerts.

Updating

The Zotero plugin and Chrome companion are both version 0.5.0. The plugin uses Zotero's automatic updater. Store-installed Chrome extensions update through the Chrome Web Store after the new version is approved and published there; unpacked installations require a manual update.

Copy Studio Prompt requires the v0.5.0 Chrome companion. The v0.5.0 Zotero plugin still supports ordinary imports with companions v0.4.0 and v0.4.1 while users update. Update Zotero's plugin before loading the new companion.

The release assets include the Zotero .xpi and a Chrome .zip for manual installation. After replacing and reloading an unpacked Chrome extension, refresh open Gemini Notebook tabs. The MCP connection remains an optional beta; see the README for setup and usage.

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.4.1

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.4.1

Note: Hey there, if you are reading this: sorry for all the releases! Prepping the Chrome extension for the store has been a bit of a chore in terms of coordinating everything with the ongoing project. We expect to be stablized in version v0.5.0, as soon as we can.

This release prepares the Chrome companion as a Chrome Web Store candidate under the name Zotero-Gemini Notebook Connector, with original connector artwork and explicit non-affiliation language. It also removes the unnecessary activeTab permission so the extension requests no general Chrome API permissions.

Before an import, the popup now explains that the selected Zotero filenames and contents go directly from the user's computer to Google Gemini Notebook and that the developer does not receive them. The accompanying public privacy policy records the same developer-server-free handoff, direct Google transfer, limited use, transient storage, and user control.

The v0.4.1 Chrome package remains a manually installed release candidate unless and until Google approves and publishes the Store listing. Existing users should continue replacing and reloading the unpacked extension manually. If a Store version becomes available, disable or remove the unpacked copy before installing it; only an installed, approved Store version would receive Chrome Web Store-managed updates.

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.4.0

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.4.0

This release introduces the opt-in MCP beta, adds Zotero 10 support, and makes the Chrome handoff into Gemini Notebook more explicit and recoverable. Install the v0.4.0 Zotero plugin and Chrome companion together; earlier companions are not compatible with the new job lifecycle.

What Changed

• Added Zotero 10 support while retaining actively tested Zotero 9 compatibility and best-effort support for Zotero 7 and 8.
• Added an opt-in local MCP bridge that lets supported AI clients check connector status, stage supported attachments from stable Zotero item or collection keys, and read a sanitized import-job state. MCP remains disabled until the user configures it, and its tools never return attachment bytes, local paths, or private Gemini Notebook state.
• Added guided MCP Auto-configure for Codex, Claude Code, and Gemini CLI. After confirmation, Zotero installs or validates its bundled adapter, registers only the fixed zotero-gemini-notebook server, and enables authenticated local access only when setup succeeds.
• Bound each MCP import to an exact Chrome claim and Gemini Notebook destination. Starting the Chrome import from an existing notebook adds the sources there; starting from the Gemini Notebook home page creates a new notebook.
• Improved the Chrome upload experience with clearer Add sources and Upload files guidance, trusted-click assistance, in-dialog progress feedback, stale-tab protection, and explicit timeout and recovery states.
• Distinguished staging from browser handoff: staged means the files are queued locally in Zotero, while submitted means Chrome handed them to Gemini Notebook's uploader. Neither state alone proves that every source appears in the notebook.

This release advances #4.

Install or Update

Install the v0.4.0 Zotero .xpi through Tools → Plugins. The unpacked Chrome companion does not update automatically: download and unzip the v0.4.0 Chrome ZIP, replace the files in the existing unpacked extension directory, click Reload in chrome://extensions/, and refresh every open Gemini Notebook tab.

If you want to use the MCP beta, install uv, Python 3.10–3.13, and a supported MCP client, then open Tools → Gemini Notebook Connector → Configure MCP... in Zotero. MCP remains off unless setup succeeds. Claude Desktop automatic setup is deferred to a later release.

Important Limitations

The Chrome companion automates Gemini Notebook's browser interface because this workflow does not have a generally available public API. Google can change that interface without notice, and Chrome requires a genuine click when Gemini Notebook exposes its file input. If an import fails or times out, check the notebook's Sources panel before restaging.

The MCP tools do not search or rank the Zotero library, create a notebook by themselves, or verify uploaded sources autonomously in this beta. Use a separate Zotero-aware interface to select stable item or collection keys, complete the import through the Chrome companion, and manually confirm the expected sources in Gemini Notebook.

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.3.4

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.3.4

This release fixes imports when Gemini Notebook uses a localized interface and
makes upload progress easier to follow inside the Add sources dialog.

What Changed

• Located Gemini Notebook's create-notebook, Add sources, and file-upload
  controls through locale-independent component hooks instead of relying on
  English labels. The updated flow has been verified live with the French
  interface.
• Moved the extension's upload status into Gemini Notebook's Add sources dialog
  when that dialog is available, while retaining a page-level fallback during
  notebook creation and error recovery.
• Kept the existing English-label fallbacks for older Gemini Notebook layouts.

Fixes #43
and includes the upload-status improvement from
#37.
Thanks to @hpchavaz for the report and detailed
console output.

Install or Update

Zotero normally installs plugin updates automatically. To check immediately,
open Tools → Plugins, open the gear menu, and choose Check for Updates.

The unpacked Chrome companion does not update automatically. Download and unzip
the v0.3.4 Chrome ZIP, replace the files in the existing unpacked extension
directory, and click Reload in chrome://extensions/. Refresh any open
Gemini Notebook tabs after reloading the extension.

Chrome companion v0.3.4 is required for the localized-interface fix. The
v0.3.4 Zotero plugin continues to accept companion versions v0.3.2 and v0.3.3
because their local bridge protocol remains compatible, so unaffected existing
installations are not blocked during a staggered update. Updating only the
Zotero plugin does not install the Chrome-side fix.

Important Limitation

The Chrome companion automates Gemini Notebook's browser interface. Google can
change that interface without notice. If an import stops working, please report
the Gemini Notebook interface language along with the Chrome, Zotero, and
operating-system versions.

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.3.3

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.3.3

This patch handles staggered Zotero-plugin and Chrome-companion updates without
pointing users to the wrong component.

What Changed

• Distinguished an outdated Zotero plugin from an outdated Chrome companion in
  the Chrome extension's compatibility warning.
• Added Zotero-specific recovery instructions: open Tools → Plugins, open
  the gear menu, and choose Check for Updates.
• Allowed Chrome companion v0.3.2 as well as v0.3.3 with the v0.3.3 Zotero
  plugin. This lets Zotero update first without forcing an unnecessary Chrome
  reinstall. Chrome companion v0.3.1 remains excluded because it cannot run on
  notebook.google.com.

Fixes #39.

Install or Update

Zotero normally installs plugin updates automatically. To check immediately,
open Tools → Plugins, open the gear menu, and choose Check for Updates.

The unpacked Chrome companion does not update automatically. Download and unzip
the v0.3.3 Chrome ZIP, replace the files in the existing unpacked extension
directory with the extracted files, and click Reload in
chrome://extensions/. Refresh any open Gemini Notebook tabs after reloading
the extension.

If the Chrome popup reports Zotero plugin update required, use Zotero's
Check for Updates command and retry after the plugin updates. If it reports
Chrome companion update required, install the newest Chrome ZIP manually as
described above.

Important Limitation

The Chrome companion automates Gemini Notebook's browser interface. Google can
change that interface without notice. If an import stops working, please report
the Chrome, Zotero, and operating-system versions along with what happened.

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.3.2

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.3.2

This patch follows Google's move from notebooklm.google.com to
notebook.google.com and restores the Chrome companion workflow on the current
Gemini Notebook host.

What Changed

• Added notebook.google.com to the Chrome companion's host permissions and
  content-script matches.
• Updated popup and page recognition so imports work from the current host,
  including both the Gemini Notebook listing and notebook detail pages.
• Retained the legacy notebooklm.google.com host for compatibility and
  redirects.
• Added release validation that requires both supported hosts in Chrome
  permissions and in the isolated- and main-world content scripts.

Thank you to @Wang-Wen-Hui for contributing
the hostname migration fix in
PR #33.

Install or Update

Install the Zotero .xpi through Tools → Plugins. Google Chrome is required;
Firefox and other browsers are not supported for the companion workflow.

The unpacked Chrome companion does not update automatically. Download and unzip
the v0.3.2 Chrome ZIP, replace the files in the existing unpacked extension
directory with the extracted files, and click Reload in
chrome://extensions/. Refresh any open Gemini Notebook tabs after reloading
the extension.

Chrome companion v0.3.1 does not have permission to run on
notebook.google.com. The v0.3.2 Zotero plugin therefore requires the v0.3.2
companion and displays an update warning for older companions.

Verified Environment

• macOS 26.4.1 (build 25E253)
• Zotero 9.0.6
• Google Chrome 151.0.7922.170
• Chrome companion 0.3.2
• New-notebook creation and source upload confirmed on August 21, 2026

Important Limitation

The Chrome companion automates Gemini Notebook's browser interface. Google can
change that interface without notice. If an import stops working, please report
the Chrome, Zotero, and operating-system versions along with what happened.

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.3.1

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.3.1

This patch supersedes the non-latest v0.3.0 canary and fixes large source
transfers in the Chrome companion.

What Changed

• Replaced the single base64 upload message with an acknowledged
  begin/chunk/commit protocol using 4 MiB chunks.
• Preserved the existing single-batch Gemini Notebook upload behavior after the
  content script verifies that every file and chunk arrived.
• Kept Zotero staging intact if fetching or transfer fails before the complete
  batch is committed.
• Added Export Selected to Gemini Notebook to the Zotero items-pane context
  menu for staging selected bibliographic items directly.
• Corrected Zotero's success notification so it directs users to open Gemini
  Notebook in Chrome and finish the import through the Chrome companion.
• Added validation and regression tests for large files, aggregate batches over
  Chrome's 64 MiB message limit, incomplete batches, and malformed chunks.
• Declared v0.3.1 as the supported Chrome companion so v0.3.0 companions show
  the existing reinstall warning after the Zotero plugin updates.

Install or Update

Install the Zotero .xpi through Tools → Plugins. Google Chrome is required;
Firefox and other browsers are not supported for the companion workflow.

The unpacked Chrome companion does not update automatically. Download and unzip
the v0.3.1 Chrome ZIP, replace the files in the existing unpacked extension
directory with the extracted files, and reload the extension through
chrome://extensions/.

The published v0.2.0 companion predates the compatibility check and cannot show
the new reinstall warning. Update the Chrome companion manually before testing
large batches.

Verified Environment

• macOS 26.4.1 (build 25E253)
• Zotero 9.0.4
• Google Chrome 150.0.7871.125
• Chrome companion 0.3.1
• Automatic Zotero update from v0.2.0 to v0.3.1, restart, and end-to-end source
  transfer confirmed on July 19, 2026

Important Limitation

The Chrome companion automates Gemini Notebook's browser interface. Google can
change that interface without notice. If an import stops working, please report
the Chrome, Zotero, and operating-system versions along with the selected file
sizes and what happened.

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.3.0

Zotero Gemini Notebook v0.3.0

Superseded by v0.3.1. This canary can exceed Chrome's 64 MiB extension-message
limit when transferring a large file or batch. Keep it non-latest, do not
install it, and use v0.3.1 once that patch is published.

This release adopts Google's new Gemini Notebook name throughout the public
project while retaining “formerly NotebookLM” references for existing users and
searches.

What Changed

• Renamed the repository, Zotero interface, and Chrome companion to Zotero
  Gemini Notebook.
• Renamed release packages to zotero-gemini-notebook.xpi and
  zotero-gemini-notebook-chrome-extension.zip.
• Preserved the existing Zotero add-on ID, preferences, local-server endpoints,
  and notebooklm.google.com browser integration so installed copies can
  upgrade without becoming a different plugin.
• Added release-package and update-manifest validation, including archive,
  version, identity, URL, compatibility, and hash checks.
• Limited declared compatibility to the tested Zotero 9.0 minor line, while
  retaining Zotero 7 and 8 compatibility.

Install or Update

Do not install or update to v0.3.0. It remains available only as a superseded
canary so its published artifacts and history stay intact. Existing v0.2.0
users should wait for v0.3.1; once that patch is published, follow its release
notes to update both the Zotero plugin and the manually installed Chrome
companion. Google Chrome is required; Firefox and other browsers are not
supported.

Important Limitation

The Chrome companion automates Gemini Notebook's browser interface because this
workflow does not have a generally available public API. It connects to Zotero
through 127.0.0.1, and Zotero serves file requests only for explicitly staged
attachments. Google can change the Gemini Notebook interface without notice. If
an import stops working, please report the Chrome and Zotero versions along with
what happened.

Release v0.2.0

Fixes NotebookLM upload flow breakage and improves Zotero add-on selection controls. Highlights: updates NotebookLM upload automation for the current DOM flow; adds automatic notebook creation from the NotebookLM main page; adds retry/status notices for upload recovery; adds Zotero item-list sorting and bulk selection controls; adds CI checks and clearer release/install docs.

Release Manifest

Permanent stable updater manifests for Zotero Gemini Notebook. update.json is active; update.backup.json is
the single rolling rollback copy.