To send a capture to Zotero, open Capture Settings, choose Export, and add Zotero as a destination. Create a Zotero API key with library access and writing enabled, then paste it into Capture. Choose Personal or Group and enter the numeric user or group Library ID. Optionally add one collection key or tag per line. Text and phone captures become Zotero note items, with line breaks preserved in escaped HTML. Links become webpage items with the fetched page title when available and the absolute URL. Zotero is offered as a destination for Text and Links captures.
A quick capture workflow for Zotero
- 01Catch it
Write or share the thought into Capture while it is fresh.
- 02Keep moving
Save the Capture without stopping to organize the destination.
- 03Send to Zotero
Use your configured export action when the capture is ready.
What gets sent to Zotero
- Text and phone captures become Zotero note items, with line breaks preserved in escaped HTML.
- Links become webpage items with the fetched page title when available and the absolute URL.
- Configured collections and tags are applied to either item type.
Set up Zotero in Capture
- Open Capture Settings, choose Export, then tap Configure if this is your first destination or Add new destination.
- Choose Zotero from the app picker.
- Create a Zotero API key with library access and writing enabled, then paste it into Capture.
- Choose Personal or Group and enter the numeric user or group Library ID.
- Optionally add one collection key or tag per line.
- Review the destination name and icon, then tap Save.
Supported Capture types
This destination appears only for content it can receive.
Fields and options
| Field or option | What it changes |
|---|---|
| API key | Required Zotero key with library write access. |
| Library | Personal (default) or Group. |
| Library ID | Required positive numeric user ID or group ID. |
| Collection keys | Optional; one 8-character Zotero collection key per line. Blank saves at the library root. |
| Tags | Optional; one tag per line. |
Example: a quick capture to Zotero
Choose Personal, enter your user ID and a Research collection key, then export an article URL. Zotero creates a webpage item in that collection with the page title and URL.
Send the capture
- Open an existing Capture and choose its configured Zotero export action.
- Capture sends the supported type directly to Zotero and shows a success toast when the API request completes.
Limits and troubleshooting
Limits
- Images and files are unsupported.
- Collection keys must use Zotero’s 8-character key format.
- Capture creates note or webpage items only; it does not retrieve page metadata beyond Capture’s cached title.
Troubleshooting
- If Save fails, confirm the API key is present, the Library ID is a positive number, and each collection key is valid.
- If Zotero returns a write error, verify library access, write permission, library type, and ID.
- If the item appears at the library root, recheck the collection key.
More places for quick notes
Checked against Capture 2.16, last verified 21 August 2026.