Split-View Reader

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Split-View Reader is a plugin for Zotero 8 that enables split-view reading same or different PDFs with optional primary-view action sync.

Features

• Split-View Mode: View the same or different PDFs side by side in a single Zotero tab
• Synchronized Scroll/Zoom: When a primary view is set, the other pane follows it during scrolling and zooming via toolbar buttons or the mouse wheel
• Independent Navigation: Clear the primary view to turn sync off and navigate both panes independently
• Seamless Integration: Works naturally within Zotero's reader interface

Installation

1. Download the latest .xpi file from Releases
2. In Zotero, go to Tools → Plugins
3. Click the gear icon and select Install Plugin From File...
4. Select the downloaded .xpi file

Usage

Quick Start with Command Palette

Press Shift + P to open Zotero's command palette, then select Split View Reader to start split-view mode.

Right-Click Context Menu

Right-click in either pane to access these options in an open split-view reader tab:

Option	Description
Swap PDFs	Swap the PDFs between left and right panes
Separate Views	Restore the split readers as regular Zotero tabs
Close This View	Close the right-clicked pane
Set as Primary View / Unset Primary View	Set or clear primary control for the right-clicked pane
Change PDF in This View	Replace the PDF in the right-clicked pane
Match This View to Left/Right View	Sync the right-clicked pane's position and zoom to the other

Some notes:

• Zooming with Ctrl + mouse wheel stays independently controlled in the current view and does not trigger sync.
• Action sync is active only while a primary view exists. Use Unset Primary View from the right-click menu to turn sync off.

Settings

Go to Edit → Settings → Click Split-View Reader to configure:

• Follow mouse focus to switch primary view: When enabled, focus changes can move the primary view between panes that already have an active primary view.

  If no primary view is set, focus changes do not recreate one; use Set as Primary View to enable sync again.

• Show Split Tabs as: Choose how split-view tab titles are displayed without affecting normal Zotero tabs.