# altero

> altero is a self-hosted, open-source Zotero sync server implementing the Web API v3 for libraries, groups, notes, attachments, and full-text search.

- **Category:** File Sync
- **Licence:** AGPL-3.0
- **Open source:** oss
- **Languages:** Typescript, Python
- **Platforms:** Docker Compose, Podman, Build from Source
- **Tags:** PostgreSQL, SQLite, OAuth, Sync, Content Management, Research, OIDC, Docker, Python, Agpl, SAML, Academic, Self Hosted, Passkeys, Academic research, Zotero, Research Tools, Reference Manager, Bibliography, Zotero Sync, Zotero Api

## Description

altero runs a synchronization server for Zotero Desktop that implements the Zotero Web API v3. Users point the unmodified desktop client at their own instance by changing two hidden preferences. The server handles personal and group libraries with items, collections, tags, notes, annotations, attachments, and full-text search. It supports SQLite for single users and PostgreSQL for shared deployments. A web interface provides library browsing, account management, group administration, and instance administration. Beyond basic compatibility, altero adds institutional sign-in via OpenID Connect and SAML 2.0, an OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect authorization server for scoped third-party access, passkeys and second factors, per-member group permissions, shared collection links, group activity notifications, server-side tag rename, configurable retention policies, and migration from zotero.org preserving object keys. Deployment options include Docker Compose with a published image at ghcr.io/eseifert/altero, a source installation with Python 3.14+ and uv, and Podman. The project is licensed under AGPL-3.0-or-later and is currently in beta (1.0.0-beta.3).

## Links

- [Homepage](https://github.com/eseifert/altero)
- [Website](https://altero.run)
- [Docker](ghcr.io/eseifert/altero)
- [GitHub repository](https://github.com/eseifert/altero)
- [Getting started guide](https://altero.run/latest/getting-started/)
- [Deployment guide](https://altero.run/latest/deployment/)
- [Configuration reference](https://altero.run/latest/configuration/)
- [Administration guide](https://altero.run/latest/administration/)
- [OAuth / Connecting other applications](https://altero.run/latest/oauth/)
- [Implementation status](https://altero.run/latest/status/)
- [Compatibility reference](https://altero.run/latest/compatibility/)
- [Web interface guide](https://altero.run/latest/web-interface/)

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Source: https://selfhost.directory/project/altero