Creating a link to a specific Zotero item key

rphair

I want to quickly create a URL/URI/link that points to a specific Zotero item. This is a separate use case from citations.

I want to create these links in tools like those used for mind mapping.

The usual format for these local select links would be something like:

zotero://select/library/items/RNUJUWE9

where RNUJUWE9 is the Zotero item key.

This works well if I know the Zotero item key, but finding a version of the key that can be copied and pasted is not easy enough to make this practical.

On Win11, in Zotero we can do the following slow steps to get the key on the clipboard:
Select the desired item in your Zotero library
File/Show File
right click
select Properties
highlight and copy the key, which consists of the last 8 characters in the Location: field.

Many versions ago, I think Zotero automated creation of the select link, but I cannot find it in either the Zotero 7 or Zotero 8 menu structure. Could be my 79-year old brain, but there must be a better way.

I'd value your thoughts.

adamsmith

Use the Zutilo plugin. I think actions and tags works, too, but haven't tested that

rphair

Thanks for this recommendation. The most recent three releases of Zutilo do appear to have the capability to expose item keys.

Unfortunately, upon download of the .xpi files, each raises a github error telling me they cannot be installed because they appear to be corrupt.

I found another file among the plugins called TheBrain.export, which appears specifically designed to solve my problem. TheBrain.export is, however, a .js file, not a .xpi file, and is not loaded as a plugin when dragged to the Zotero plugins window.

So close, but alas, so far, at least for me.

adamsmith

You are installing Zutilo incorrectly. Download the xpi file using save link as, then install via Zotero --> Tools

rphair

Thanks for the tutorial. Plugin works. Zutilo can copy and paste tags, mark two or more items as Related, and QuickCopy an item to the clipboard, but I do not see a menu item that yields a link to a Zotero item that can be dropped into a different tool.

I appreciated your one-sentence tutorial on installing plugins. Do you have the patience to write a corresponding sentence for TheBrain.export, which I believe is a JavaScript file?

poettli

You need to go to the Zutilo preferences (accessible through the Zotero settings) to put "Copy select item links" in the Zutilo (or directly Zotero) context menu.

rphair

You are so right! Works like a charm. Many thanks to adamsmith and poettli for their help.

adamsmith

(If you ever want to use the .js file, you'd want to place it in the translator folder in the Zotero data directory and restart Zotero, but it's really a much worse option here)

rphair

Zutilo plus the two of you in the user community made me smile. I've been constructing those Select item links by hand for a month totally unaware that someone with skills had seen and met this need.