[Share] Add Tag shortcut: working in Zotero 8

[powestermark]

Description

Updated 2026-02-02: robuster triggering in library view

This action is useful for binding a keyboard shortcut to add a tag to the currently selected item, or the currently viewed pdf file.

This script solves Discussion #390, where my previous script only works in Zotero 7.

The present script uses Zotero's built-in function newTag(), and might be more stable than the previous approach which simulated a click on the Add Tag button.

NOTE 1: This script was created through pure vibe coding using ChatGPT 5.2. I had the script created since I am an ingrained keyboard shortcut person, and in my tag heavy workflows, Add Tag is the most important shortcut. Unfortunately, keyboard shortcuts are neglected in Zotero, but I prefer acting to complaining. I am unlikely to be able to fix bugs, as I lack any deep understanding of the Zotero DOM or internal workings. A Zotero expert should ultimately improve this code.

NOTE 2: There appears to be potential cross-talk with the Zutilo plugin, so if you experience problems and have Zutilo installed, try first to uninstall the latter, or you must attempt a fix yourself.

I hope the script may be useful for all us tagging enthusiasts!

Event

None

Operation

Script

Data

/**
 * Add tag (open the new-tag row) — library + PDF view
 */

// Document (suppress Actions & Tags warnings)
let doc =
	(typeof ZoteroPane !== "undefined" && ZoteroPane && ZoteroPane.document) ? ZoteroPane.document :
	Zotero.getMainWindow().document;

// Injected target (used as fallback, mainly for PDF view)
let injectedTarget = (typeof item !== "undefined" && item) ? item
	: (typeof items !== "undefined" && items && items.length === 1) ? items[0]
	: null;

function injectedTargetID() {
	return injectedTarget && injectedTarget.id ? injectedTarget.id : null;
}

function matchesTarget(tb, targetID, allowParent) {
	if (!tb || !tb._item || !targetID) return false;
	if (tb._item.id === targetID) return true;

	if (!allowParent) return false;

	// PDF view: attachment <-> parent ambiguity
	try {
		if (tb._item.parentItemID && tb._item.parentItemID === targetID) return true;
		if (injectedTarget && injectedTarget.parentItemID && injectedTarget.parentItemID === tb._item.id) return true;
	} catch (e) {}

	return false;
}

function pickTagsBox(targetID, allowParent) {
	// Prefer PDF context pane first
	let pdf = Array.from(doc.querySelectorAll('#zotero-context-pane-item-deck tags-box'));
	for (let i = 0; i < pdf.length; i++) {
		if (matchesTarget(pdf[i], targetID, allowParent) && typeof pdf[i].newTag === "function") return pdf[i];
	}

	// Fallback: anywhere
	let all = Array.from(doc.querySelectorAll('tags-box'));
	for (let i = 0; i < all.length; i++) {
		if (matchesTarget(all[i], targetID, allowParent) && typeof all[i].newTag === "function") return all[i];
	}

	return null;
}

function clickAddTagButtonInActivePane() {
	(function spin(k, lastID, stableCount) {
		// 1) Library view: derive target from itemPane AFTER it stabilizes
		let paneID = null;
		if (typeof ZoteroPane !== "undefined" && ZoteroPane && ZoteroPane.itemPane && ZoteroPane.itemPane._item) {
			paneID = ZoteroPane.itemPane._item.id || null;
		}

		// If we have a paneID, require stability (same id twice) to avoid races
		if (paneID) {
			if (paneID === lastID) stableCount++;
			else stableCount = 1;

			lastID = paneID;

			// Not stable yet -> wait
			if (stableCount < 2) {
				if (k <= 0) return;
				doc.defaultView.setTimeout(function () { spin(k - 1, lastID, stableCount); }, 20);
				return;
			}

			// Library mode: do NOT allow parent/attachment matching
			let tb = pickTagsBox(paneID, false);
			if (tb && tb._item && typeof tb.newTag === "function") {
				tb.newTag();
				return;
			}

			if (k <= 0) return;
			doc.defaultView.setTimeout(function () { spin(k - 1, lastID, stableCount); }, 20);
			return;
		}

		// 2) PDF view fallback: use injected item/items (and allow parent matching)
		let id = injectedTargetID();
		if (id) {
			let tb = pickTagsBox(id, true);
			if (tb && tb._item && typeof tb.newTag === "function") {
				tb.newTag();
				return;
			}
		}

		if (k <= 0) return;
		doc.defaultView.setTimeout(function () { spin(k - 1, lastID, stableCount); }, 20);
	})(120, null, 0);

	return true;
}

clickAddTagButtonInActivePane();

Anything else

No response

[rdiaz02]

Thanks!

[gustavofelizardo1]

Works great! Quick note: Operation should be set to Script, not "Add Tags". Thankss

[powestermark]

👍 updated

[iagogv3]

Thanks @powestermark ! May I ask you more details about your NOTE 2. I mean, I'd like to have installed Zutilo too. What kind of issue may happen?