Upgrade StorageZotero 8 Beta: Note editor stuck with fixed max-width layout, cannot restore responsive reading view
Environment
Zotero version: 8.0-beta.23+58baa44ad (64-bit)
OS: Windows (64-bit)
Note type: Built-in Zotero notes (long text with math symbols)
Problem Description
After pasting long theoretical notes (including math symbols such as β, Var(·), subscripts, and mixed formatting) into a Zotero note, the note reading/editing view becomes permanently stuck in a fixed-width, centered layout.
Symptoms:
The note content no longer adapts to window width
Text does not reflow when resizing the Zotero window
The view looks like a “reading/focus mode” with large margins
All notes, including newly opened ones, are affected
Opening notes in new windows inherits the same layout issue
This behavior persists across restarts.
Expected Behavior
Notes should display in a responsive layout:
Content width adapts to the window size
Text automatically reflows
No fixed max-width or centered layout unless explicitly enabled
This was the default and expected behavior in Zotero 7.
Actual Behavior
Note editor appears to have a globally locked CSS state (e.g. fixed max-width)
There is no way to restore the original responsive reading view
The issue affects the entire application session, not a single note
Steps Attempted (All Failed)
I tried the following without success:
Setting note.editor.experimental = false in Config Editor
Restarting Zotero (including full process termination)
Resetting UI / layout
Resetting zoom
Searching for and deleting UI state files (e.g. xulstore.json, ui-state.json)
These files do not exist in Zotero 8 Beta
Switching between embedded view and normal view
The only usable workaround is opening notes in “Edit in Separate Window”, which uses a different renderer.
Additional Observations
Zotero 8 Beta appears to use a single shared Web/React renderer for notes
Once the note editor’s CSS state is polluted, it is reused globally
UI state is no longer stored in user-accessible files, so manual reset is impossible
This makes the issue irreversible for end users
Impact
This significantly affects users who rely on Zotero notes for:
Long-form academic notes
Theoretical or mathematical content
Reading-focused workflows (not just editing)
Currently, Zotero 8 Beta is not usable as a primary note-reading environment in this state.
Summary
This appears to be a beta-stage rendering/state management bug in the Zotero 8 note editor, where a fixed-width layout becomes permanently applied with no recovery mechanism.
A way to reset or isolate the note editor’s layout/CSS state would be greatly appreciated.
Zotero version: 8.0-beta.23+58baa44ad (64-bit)
OS: Windows (64-bit)
Note type: Built-in Zotero notes (long text with math symbols)
Problem Description
After pasting long theoretical notes (including math symbols such as β, Var(·), subscripts, and mixed formatting) into a Zotero note, the note reading/editing view becomes permanently stuck in a fixed-width, centered layout.
Symptoms:
The note content no longer adapts to window width
Text does not reflow when resizing the Zotero window
The view looks like a “reading/focus mode” with large margins
All notes, including newly opened ones, are affected
Opening notes in new windows inherits the same layout issue
This behavior persists across restarts.
Expected Behavior
Notes should display in a responsive layout:
Content width adapts to the window size
Text automatically reflows
No fixed max-width or centered layout unless explicitly enabled
This was the default and expected behavior in Zotero 7.
Actual Behavior
Note editor appears to have a globally locked CSS state (e.g. fixed max-width)
There is no way to restore the original responsive reading view
The issue affects the entire application session, not a single note
Steps Attempted (All Failed)
I tried the following without success:
Setting note.editor.experimental = false in Config Editor
Restarting Zotero (including full process termination)
Resetting UI / layout
Resetting zoom
Searching for and deleting UI state files (e.g. xulstore.json, ui-state.json)
These files do not exist in Zotero 8 Beta
Switching between embedded view and normal view
The only usable workaround is opening notes in “Edit in Separate Window”, which uses a different renderer.
Additional Observations
Zotero 8 Beta appears to use a single shared Web/React renderer for notes
Once the note editor’s CSS state is polluted, it is reused globally
UI state is no longer stored in user-accessible files, so manual reset is impossible
This makes the issue irreversible for end users
Impact
This significantly affects users who rely on Zotero notes for:
Long-form academic notes
Theoretical or mathematical content
Reading-focused workflows (not just editing)
Currently, Zotero 8 Beta is not usable as a primary note-reading environment in this state.
Summary
This appears to be a beta-stage rendering/state management bug in the Zotero 8 note editor, where a fixed-width layout becomes permanently applied with no recovery mechanism.
A way to reset or isolate the note editor’s layout/CSS state would be greatly appreciated.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u12952119/febhoo56vhp8tfhbvxjp.jpg