How can I use Zotero to manage my academic writing and references?

Zotero is a free, open-source reference management software enabling scholars to systematically collect, organize, annotate, and cite research sources throughout the academic writing process, enhancing efficiency and citation accuracy. It facilitates seamless integration within word processors. Key capabilities include capturing bibliographic data from library databases and webpages via browser connectors, storing PDFs and other files locally or through limited free cloud storage, organizing items into searchable collections, annotating PDFs directly, and automatically generating citations and bibliographies in thousands of styles using word processor plugins. Essential considerations involve managing cloud storage limits (300MB free) for file syncing and utilizing group libraries for collaborative projects. Implementing Zotero involves installing the desktop application and preferred browser connector(s), creating collections for distinct projects, and adding the relevant word processor plugin. During research, users save sources via the connector or manual input. Within their document, citations are inserted using the plugin, which automatically formats in-text citations and generates a corresponding reference list upon manuscript completion.