Sync your bibliography with Zotero

Sarmate can fetch your Zotero library and write it into a .bib file in your space, ready to cite in your LaTeX documents. Syncing is one-way: Zotero → Sarmate. You manage your references in Zotero; Sarmate only copies them.

Before you start

• Your Zotero library must be synced with the Zotero cloud: Sarmate reads the online version of your library, not the one stored on your computer. (In Zotero: Preferences → Sync → connect your account and sync.)
• Tip: group the references you want to cite into a Zotero collection so you don't import your whole library.

Step 1 — Get a Zotero API key

1. Open your account's keys page: www.zotero.org/settings/keys.
2. Click “Create new private key”. Read-only access is enough.
3. Copy the key shown: it is displayed only once.

Step 2 — Link a .bib file to Zotero

1. In your Sarmate file manager, find (or create) the .bib file to link.
2. Click the three vertical dots to the right of the file, then “Link to Zotero”.
3. Paste your API key and click “Test”.
4. If the connection is valid, choose the source: your whole library or a collection (the reference count is shown).
5. Click “Link” then “Sync”.

Step 3 — Cite in your document

Include the file in your document, then cite as usual. Reference auto-completion appears as soon as you type the opening brace \autocite{.

\usepackage[backend=biber,style=verbose-trad2]{biblatex}
\addbibresource{my-bibliography.bib}   % the file linked to Zotero
% ...
As shown by \autocite{key2020}, ...
% ...
\printbibliography

With classic BibTeX, use \bibliography{my-bibliography} and \cite{...} instead.

Updating the bibliography

Syncing is not automatic. After each change in Zotero (and once Zotero has re-synced to the cloud), come back to Sarmate and click “Sync” again to update the .bib file.

Troubleshooting