Based on: https://www.zotero.org/support/installation
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WARNING: You're going to be messing with application files and folders not meant to be seen or touched by the user. Follow the instructions carefully. This instructions were meant for Manjaro KDE in November, 2025.
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The official setup allows you to install and run Zotero, as long as you keep easy access to its install directory, but the point is to run it from the 'App Launcher' (the 'Start' button) and pin it to your desktop's main panel (the 'taskbar'). As of November 22nd, 2025, the terminal command for 'symlink' seems broken and won't allow you to correctly set Zotero as part of the app launcher.

I'm going to explain you how to install Zotero and leave it integrated into your app launcher, without using the terminal.

Step 1: Download the tarball.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/zy8gbd6dyac4cwkprg4t.png
Step 2: Unpack it in a convenient place. Where? That's up to you.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/iusxnh23pehiog4uwziy.png
In my case, I made a custom directory for my software, within my 'home' directory. Then, I renamed the folder 'Zotero' for my own convenience.

Step 3: Get inside the folder you just extracted and double-Click on the 'set_launcher_icon' file.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/vag2nxthwo6e106ny21b.png
It's going to ask you if you want to run it. Just click 'Launch'.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/zza35vpvyb3f0jjr38r1.png
In the end, it's going to give a nice picture to 'zotero.desktop' (that's the file we actually need to handle).

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/1nug0fg5jag5mpynbhpr.png
Step 5: Now, open up the 'home' directory (either through a tab or a new window):

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/5l5ddialmmwexm3800bz.png
Step 6: Hit Ctrl-H on your keyboard to show the hidden files. Then, go inside '.local':

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/klpw59tha2byowlpzs0z.png
Now, go inside 'share':

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/ezhvn1t8phg4j9d0bjc9.png
Finally, go inside 'applications':

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/2zrbx08u06hrrdfhj45e.png
Step 7: Here, we have 2 options: a. Drag & Drop - b. Symlink

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/979u27fub01nj58plmxv.png
a. Drag & Drop
We can 'Drag & Drop' the 'zotero.desktop' file from where it was extracted to the 'applications' folder. Once we drop the file, the system is gonna ask us whether we want to, move, copy or 'link' the file. Just click on 'Link here', and Zotero will be ready for use:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/sggmtt9i2ha8vdr0z3h5.png
With the launcher linked, we can finally summon Zotero:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/8ykchcj9n1p87xalqqds.png

Now, we can use the 'App Launcher' (or 'Start' button) to do the job.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/s77vhrr34w2qvhaho97z.png

There you go. From this point on, you may pin the app on your taskbar, sync your references and keep using Zotero as if you were in Windows.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/65iqntuap1ucfevaqtws.png

b.Symlink:
We can do the 'symlink' from the 'applications' folder. Right-click on the background of the folder, and hover over 'Create new' followed by 'Link to file or directory'.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/hqu9szek2mljuj5zi1xf.png
If done right, this window should appear:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/trlf10noc7is4lilggn7.png

Now, click on the highlighted box to open a file browser, but-
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/pcbv9jpqqvbooo2m8jbp.png

but make sure you pick the option 'File'.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/rpqtr0w9t8at0ngl6qtv.png

From here, you can navigate all the way to the 'Zotero' directory; just look for 'zotero.desktop' and open it.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/9bc0ozwplxvu4ub76n2l.png
Doing so creates the parameters to symlink Zotero, so now click 'Ok'.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/nmchq5lsh77o9r6oscvc.png

Either way, a. and b. allow for the creation of the launcher directory.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u8452997/8ykchcj9n1p87xalqqds.png
Final Notes:

1. Remember to hit 'Ctrl-H', within any folder, before you close anything, so the hidden files remain hidden and no info is lost due to human mistake.
2. This guide may become deprecated the moment Zotero releases native packages for Manjaro, in the future.