Is it possible to run a shell command in ``Run javascript"

Zhiyuan Yao · August 17, 2022

It seems to be possible to use the Zotero JavaScript API to get the file path of a Zotero attachement. But I'm wondering whether it is possible to run a shell script using that path. For example, using a system application to open the attachment, i.e.

'open -a /Applications/Preview.app ' + path

dstillman · August 17, 2022

https://github.com/zotero/zotero/blob/f368a533117758a2b2a054e61fbba30c827214de/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/openPDF.js#L188

(Best to post coding questions on zotero-dev. We try to keep technical discussions there.)

Zhiyuan Yao · August 17, 2022

Thanks for the prompt reply and kind reminder where to post!

I'm new to javascript and Zotero. When I select an attachment in Zotero, open `Tools -> Developer -> Run Javascript` and copy the following code

```
var selectedItems = ZoteroPane.getSelectedItems();
var item = selectedItems[0];
var filePath = item.getFilePathAsync();
Zotero.Utilities.Internal.exec('/usr/bin/open', ['-a', "Preview", filePath]);
```

into the context box, then click Run, I only get the output of

```
{
"isFulfilled": false,
"isRejected": false
}
```
without Preview opening the file.

dstillman · August 17, 2022

`getFilePathAsync()` and `exec()` both require `await`, and when using await in this dialog you need to return a value to see it, as explained here:

https://www.zotero.org/support/dev/client_coding/javascript_api#running_ad_hoc_javascript_in_zotero

Zhiyuan Yao · August 17, 2022

Awesome, that solves the problem! Thanks a lot!

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa · March 10, 2024

@Zhiyuan%20Yao, could you share the corrected script you put together? I'm newish to Javascript and new to using it in Zotero, too.

Zhiyuan Yao · March 10, 2024

I tested the following code snippet and it works.

```
var selectedItems = ZoteroPane.getSelectedItems();
var item = selectedItems[0];
var filePath = await item.getFilePathAsync();
await Zotero.Utilities.Internal.exec('/usr/bin/open', ['-a', "Preview", filePath]);
```

xuxinliang · July 31, 2024

Could any plugin or javascript code copy the filepath of the attachement of the selected item to the clipboard, using keyboard's shortcut

tim820 · July 31, 2024

@xuxinliang the Zutilo plugin can copy attachment paths to the clipboard via right click menu and also via a user-chosen keyboard shortcut (eg Ctrl-Alt-C).
https://github.com/wshanks/Zutilo