Libraries

Beaver supports your personal Zotero library and group libraries (since version 0.5). Your libraries are not synced to Beaver's servers. Instead, Beaver accesses your Zotero data and file content on demand when Beaver determines it is relevant to the current conversation. File processing happens locally on your device, and only provides relevant results to Beaver.

Restricting Search to Specific Libraries

You can focus Beaver on a specific library in several ways:

  • Use the @ menu: Type @ in the chat input and select a library under "Filter Search by" to add it as a filter. See Filtering Search for details.
  • Ask in natural language: Simply mention the library in your message, e.g., "Search only in my Lab Group library."
  • Reference the current library: Beaver is aware of the library currently open in Zotero, so you can say things like "Organize the items in this library into collections."

Library Restrictions Are Not Deterministic

Because Beaver uses AI to interpret your instructions, library restrictions are best-effort. The AI generally follows them well, but may occasionally access items from other libraries, especially if results are limited. If you need to exclude specific libraries for privacy, copyright, or other reasons, you can exclude them entirely from Beaver under settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Beaver with group libraries I don't own?

Yes. Beaver can work with any group library that appears in your Zotero installation, whether you own it or are just a member. On the Pro plan, you need to explicitly select it during setup.

What happens if a group library is updated by other members?

Beaver reads your local Zotero data, so changes appear as soon as Zotero syncs them locally.

Can I exclude certain libraries from Beaver entirely?

Yes, you can exclude specific libraries from Beaver under Beaver settings.