Use ZotLit on multiple devices
Set different Zotero profile or data directory paths on each computer when syncing a vault across devices.
When you sync an Obsidian vault between computers, each computer may have Zotero installed in a different location. ZotLit stores the Zotero profile path and data directory path per device, so one machine's path never overwrites another's through vault sync.
The permission to edit annotations is also saved per device. On each computer, allow editing once and choose Always Allow when Zotero asks. See Edit PDF annotations in Obsidian.
Default installs: nothing to configure
On a computer where Zotero is installed in its default location, ZotLit auto-detects the profile (from Zotero's profiles.ini) and data directory. A freshly synced vault connects to Zotero with no manual setup.
If every computer uses the default Zotero location, you are done. No per-device configuration is needed.
Point a device at a non-default Zotero location
If Zotero's profile or data directory is in a custom location on one of your computers, tell ZotLit where to find it on that device.
Open the Zotero settings
On the device that needs a custom path, open Settings > ZotLit > Zotero > Zotero location.
Set the Zotero profile
Use the Zotero profile picker to select the correct profile directory for this machine. If you only need to change the data directory, skip this step.
Set the data directory override (if needed)
If the Zotero data directory is also non-default, use the Data directory override picker to select the correct path.
The chosen paths apply to this device only. Other devices that sync the same vault keep their own paths (or continue using auto-detection).
Clearing a Device Override
To return a device to auto-detection, reset the profile or data directory picker to its default value. ZotLit resumes auto-detecting on that device.
When a new device cannot find Zotero
If you sync a vault to a computer where Zotero is not in the default location and no Device Override is set, ZotLit cannot locate the database. The Library View then shows Zotero not found and offers Locate data folder to pick the correct path.
While no Library View is open, ZotLit shows a notice instead:
Zotero wasn't found on this device.
The notice includes a Set up connection action that opens the Library View. Only one such notice shows at a time, and it goes away once ZotLit reads the database again. It shows on each launch while the connection is unresolved, and not when auto-detection succeeds or a working Device Override is in place.
You can also set the path directly from Settings > ZotLit > Zotero > Zotero location, as described above.
See also
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